What and Where is Collits Inn?
Restoration & Modern Use
Collits’ Inn is a heritage-listed historic property located in Hartley Vale, New South Wales, situated at the base of Mount York west of the Blue Mountains. The Inn was established in 1823 by pardoned convict Pierce Collits, it stands as the oldest surviving group of buildings west of the Blue Mountains and a crucial relic of Australia’s early colonial travel history.
Historical Significance
- The Golden Fleece: The inn originally opened under the name The Golden Fleece to offer accommodation, food, and supplies to early settlers, stockmen, and official parties traversing the rugged Blue Mountains route toward Bathurst.
- Convict Craftsmanship: Built mainly from timber slabs and weatherboards, the structure exhibits practical, early colonial-era construction. Recent historical investigations even revealed centuries-old medieval folk practices implemented within the walls by its original convict builders.
- Traffic Diversion: The inn’s peak era concluded around 1832 when the opening of Victoria Pass redirected traffic away from Hartley Vale. To compensate for the loss of business, Governor Bourke granted Pierce land further west, which later became the town of Canowindra.
Restoration & Modern Use
- The 1998 Restoration: After decades of severe neglect and serving as a private residence, the property was purchased by Russell and Christine Stewart in 1998. Over four years, they painstakingly restored the structures, saving them from total collapse and ensuring its state and national heritage listing.
- Current Venue: Today, the 50-acre estate operates primarily as an all-inclusive country boutique wedding and private functions destination. It features a restored 190-year-old reception barn (Pierce’s Barn), and historical accommodation capable of hosting up to 12 guests at a wedding event.
Pop Culture & Literature
- The Operetta: The legendary history and local lore of the estate inspired a highly successful 1930s Australian musical romance titled Collits’ Inn, starring Gladys Moncrieff, which broke box office records across Melbourne and Sydney.
- The Book: In 2021, former owner Christine Stewart published the historical book Collits’ Inn: Uncovering the Past, detailing the unique architectural and cultural discoveries found during its modern restoration.
Historical Ownership Timeline
- 1823–1860s: The Collits Family: Founded by freed Dublin convict Pierce Collits and his wife Mary, who constructed the property as “The Golden Fleece” inn. It remained a farm under Pierce’s control until his death in 1848.
- 1860s–1911: The Whalan Family: A pioneer family from nearby Sodwalls bought the estate and preserved it as a private residence for several decades.
- 1911–1923: The Commens Family: Purchased by Job and Grace Commens, who renamed the property Mount York Farm and managed it as a working agricultural site.
- 1946–1998: The Pilarcik Family: Acquired by Steve Pilarcik, a Croatian immigrant. His family retained the property for over 50 years through decades of structural decline.
- 1998–2007: Russell and Christine Stewart: The Stewarts saved the collapsing property and undertook an intensive four-year heritage restoration. Christine later authored Collits’ Inn: Uncovering the Past about the experience.
- 2007–2025: The MacDonald Family: Purchased the estate from the Stewarts to use as a private home before choosing to lease it out to the Warren family as a commercial venue in 2014.
- Darren and Lee-Ann Byrnes (Current Property Owners): They were married at the venue in February 2023 and purchased the historic 50-acre Hartley Vale estate in April 2025 from the MacDonald family.