About Belgenny

Agricultural pioneers - a founding family

History of Belgenny Farm

John and Elizabeth Macarthur established convict-built Belgenny Farm on part of the original 5000 acres granted to the family by Lord Camden in 1805.

Ranked among Australia’s great agricultural pioneers, the Macarthurs established Merino wool production, wheat growing, dairying, horticulture and grape growing. These enterprises became a model for Australia’s proud agricultural traditions.

Today at Belgenny Farm

Today, the property is a major educational centre with direct links to Australia’s agricultural history – managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Belgenny Farm Trust.

It offers specialised educational and environmental tours, giving young people and special interest groups a chance to learn about agriculture and its history in NSW.

Located just an hour’s drive south-west of Sydney at Camden, Belgenny Farm also offers a unique setting for weddings and other special occasions, and hosts a number of annual themed events.

It is a place where historical and modern-day agricultural practices and expertise come together to provide a family attraction that promises to entertain and educate.

For people living in Sydney and surrounding regions, it offers a special tourist attraction where they can enjoy a glimpse into agriculture’s past.

Buildings

The functional buildings on the property are predominantly constructed of ironbark and represent Australia’s most complete and authentic Georgian farm complex.

Comprising the oldest authentic group of operating farm buildings erected by Australia's first family dynasty, the Macarthurs, this hidden treasure is one of only a few agricultural places listed on the State Heritage Register.

The buildings include stables, a blacksmith’s shop, creamery, smokehouse, slaughter house and the farm cottage where John Macarthur spent the last few years of his life.

The restored function room, the Granary, overlooks the Camden Park Estate and a token crop of 500 grapevines planted to commemorate the first commercial vineyard and winery in Australia, which was established at Belgenny Farm in the early 19th century.

The farm is one of the oldest surviving group of farm buildings in Australia.

Before it became part of the original land grant to Macarthur, Aborigines occupied the area. They called it 'Binhinny' and 'Benkennie', meaning high, dry land. This was later interpreted by Europeans as 'Belgenny'.

Events

Throughout the year, Belgenny hosts several open days including Mother’s Day in May, Father's Day in September and Farm Sunday in October.

These open days showcase a variety of farming activities including working dog trials, stockhorse demonstrations, sheep shearing and a host of other displays.

In addition to the farm animal displays and shows, other aspects of Australia’s colonial history are showcased at special events during the year.

Mother’s Day celebrations in May offer families a unique environment to celebrate with their mums, with a packed day of home-style morning teas, cooking and weaving demonstrations, stalls and farm activities.

Farm Sunday in October offers something for the whole family, placing emphasis on both education and entertainment in all things farming – sheep shearing, stockhorse displays, sheepdog trials are just a few of the day’s highlights.

At the Music, Food & Wine Festival, sample some of the wine and cuisine from the Macarthur region in a relaxed setting.

Functions

The picturesque setting of Belgenny Farm today also lends itself as a popular function centre for weddings and themed events.

To help ensure the best standard of catering is available for weddings and other special events, professional caterers are employed to complement the farm’s modernised commercial kitchen.

This ensures newlyweds not only can stage their special wedding day in the beautiful rural surrounds of Belgenny Farm, but enjoy excellent catering. Restoration work is carried out, and new structures are built, in accordance with the Farm’s Conservation Management Plan, which uses traditional building methods to ensure the preservation of the structures and allow everyday farming to continue.