Captain William Dun, a free settler from England, arrived in Australia with his wife Maria and their two daughters in 1821. Soon after, he was granted 1,300 acres on the fertile Paterson River – the earliest land grant in the area – under a system that exchanged land for the oversight of convicts. Dun took responsibility for 13 convicts in return for his grant and began shaping what would become Duninald.

Construction of Old Duninald began in 1822, with bricks ordered from Newcastle. The house became home to William and Maria and their 11 children. A symbol of their early connection to Governor Macquarie – who hosted the Duns on arrival – still stands today: a Norfolk Island hibiscus tree grown from a seed given during their stay, now weathered but proudly standing beside the home.

William Dun was a prominent figure in the early colonial community. He conducted church services, served as Coroner for the Paterson Plains, was appointed Clerk to the Bench of Magistrates, and became the local Postmaster. But his early years were not without hardship. In 1825, a fire – deliberately lit by convicts – destroyed all his farm buildings, grain, and equipment. Though he rebuilt, the financial strain eventually led to insolvency during the depression of the 1840s.

In 1844, William’s daughter Frances married Charles Reynolds of nearby Tocal, beginning a long-standing connection between the two properties. Tocal and Duninaldoperated in tandem for decades, sharing resources and supporting each other through floods and changing agricultural fortunes.

After changing hands during a period of financial receivership, Duninald was eventually purchased by Charles Reynolds in 1860 and later transferred to Frances and her children. William Dun remained at Old Duninald until 1864 before moving to Queensland.

Old Duninald continued to serve many roles over the years – as a schoolhouse for the children of farm workers, a manager’s residence, and even a storeroom. In 1943, following the death of Vivian Reynolds, his son Sidney moved in with his wife Phyllis. Sidney ran a dairy until 1966, later turning to horticulture and establishing a native tree nursery. The couple lived in the home until their passing in 2000 and 1997, and they now rest in the nearby woods.

By the time Chris and Julia Woakes purchased Duninald in 2005, the house was in a state of serious disrepair. But with the help of heritage builder Max Sanson and heritage architect Eric Martin, a painstaking restoration began. Every effort was made to honour the original structure – sourcing matching materials and retaining as much of the original character as possible.

Today, Old Duninald stands as a beautifully restored heritage home – a luxurious yet authentic slice of colonial history. Visitors have the rare opportunity to stay in a home where the past is not just remembered but carefully preserved and celebrated. It’s a place where stories live on in the walls, the gardens, and the landscape.