Nowland’s Lochinvar Coach House and Setting has been listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in recognition of its pivotal role as the first coach station inland from West Maitland along the Great North Road.
Located in the semi-rural village of Lochinvar, 12 kilometres west of Maitland in the Hunter Valley, this Georgian Colonial style coach house holds a rich history.
The coach house was a vital rest stop for weary travellers and horses on the Great North Road, a major colonial trade and communication route connecting Newcastle, Maitland, and the developing inland settlements.
The coach house was built by Henry Nowland, a visionary entrepreneur, who developed an extensive coaching network predating the well-known Cobb and Co by more than 2 decades.
Nowland was one of the earliest Royal Mail contractors and established routes spanning from Maitland to Morpeth, encompassing the Hunter Valley settlements, inland regions like Armidale, and extending all the way to Brisbane.
The house itself is a testament to the period’s architectural heritage, constructed with locally sourced materials and convict labour it showcases the Georgian Colonial style, referring to buildings constructed in Australia from 1788 to 1840.
The style was popularised during the reigns of the 4 British monarchs George I-IV and featured buildings which were symmetrical in design. Rural houses were generally humble in their presentation with a hipped roof and wrap around veranda.
The coach house has served many purposes over the years, from a wayside inn and Royal Mail station to a licensed inn and eventually a residence, all the while maintaining its structural integrity and historical significance.
The Minister for Environment and Heritage approved the listing recommendation from the Heritage Council of NSW to help preserve the sites cultural heritage for the enrichment of present and future generations.
