Agricultural Timeline

This timeline traces the long and evolving agricultural history of Belgenny Farm and the Camden district—from Aboriginal land stewardship, through pioneering pastoral and farming enterprises, to modern agricultural innovation.

Before 1788

The locality was home to Aboriginal people who had lived on and cared for this land since the Dreaming. The Camden district lies at the meeting point of several Aboriginal language groups, including the Gundungarra to the west and south, the Dharawal to the south and east, and the Dharug to the north.

1788

Two bulls and five cows brought to New South Wales with the First Fleet escaped from the early settlement at Sydney Cove.

1795

A mob of wild cattle—descended from the escaped animals—was discovered thriving in this area. The region became known as the Cowpastures.

1805

John Macarthur was granted 5,000 acres of land at the Cowpastures to develop the wool industry. He imported Spanish Merino sheep from the Royal flock in England.

1808

Macarthur exported wool to England, establishing wool as the mainstay of his estates. From the following year until 1817, Elizabeth Macarthur managed the sheep flocks while John was in England following his role in the Rum Rebellion.

1820

The first vineyard was planted at Camden Park. River flats were cleared to grow wheat and other crops. In addition to sheep, the estate ran cattle and pigs, and operated a dairy to provide milk and butter for the household and estate workers.

1830s

William Macarthur imported the first camellias into Australia, expanding the estate’s horticultural enterprises. The estate exported the first Australian brandy.
In 1837, the Macarthur estate at Camden reached its maximum size of over 27,000 acres.

1840s

Camden Park produced butter and cheese at its dairy for sale in Sydney.

1850s

The estate sold its registered Merino flock and ceased running sheep. Wheat and other crops became the primary products, alongside butter, cheese, wine and horticulture.

1860s

A fungal disease known as rust devastated wheat crops, significantly reducing production. Corn remained an important crop.
In 1863, the railway reached Menangle, providing easier access to the growing Sydney market.

1880s

The vine pest Phylloxera destroyed the vineyards and wine production ceased. Camden Park sold fresh milk daily in Sydney, transported by rail from Menangle, and continued to sell butter and cheese.

1920s

Camden Park established the first of its ‘model dairies’, designed to promote hygiene and clean milk production.
The Camden Vale Milk Company was formed, sending pasteurised milk by rail to Sydney. The estate’s dairy herds were certified tuberculosis‑free, the first in New South Wales.
In 1929, Camden Vale Milk Co. merged with Dairy Farmers, while continuing to sell milk under its own brand.

1950s

In 1952, the rotolactor was completed at Menangle. Conceived by Edward Macarthur Onslow after seeing the technology in the United States, it was the first rotary dairy in Australia and only the third in the world.
Around 900 cows were milked daily, and up to 2,000 visitors each week came to see it in operation.

1960s

The Camden Park Estate became the largest dairy farm in Australia, milking approximately 900 cows on the rotolactor and a further 600 cows at its model dairies.

1970s

In 1973, Camden Park Estate Ltd. was sold to the investment company Talga. Around 1,000 acres of the original estate surrounding Camden Park House remained in Macarthur family ownership.

1980s

In 1984, the NSW Government purchased 1,600 hectares of the Camden Park Estate.
The Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute was established on the land, including modern biosecurity laboratories.
The NSW Government also created the Belgenny Farm Agricultural Heritage Centre Trust to manage the portion of the estate containing the historic farm buildings, now known as Belgenny Farm.