As you drive through the farmland west of Nowra on the NSW South Coast along winding dirt roads, down towards the banks of the Shoalhaven River, it's not difficult to see how renowned Australian artist Arthur Boyd was inspired by this landscape.
His 19th century sandstone homestead, now managed by the Bundanon Trust, can be glimpsed through the lush greenery at the very end of the road.
As with any well-executed heritage restoration the refurbishments are largely invisible to the layperson, but having taken just over 12 months they are extensive.
"We lifted all the floorboards up and numbered and coded them so they would be returned to the same spot," Bundanon's collections manager Jennifer Thompson said.
This amounted to hundreds of individual boards.
"We took off the skirting boards from each room, removed some of the heritage plaster and put some poultice onto the sandstone to draw out moisture and minerals," she said.
"We put a resin on the bottom of the sandstone to create a waterproof layer then put the original plaster back on."
The ground level was also reduced in an effort to reduce the dampness, as the property sits on a flood plain.
Boyd family's ongoing connection
Through the 1980s and early 1990s, Boyd and his wife, Yvonne, shared the property with other artists who came to stay and practise their craft.
When the couple gifted the property to the Australian Public in 1993, their vision was that it continue to be used as a creative space for all to enjoy.
Today, Australian artists undertake residencies at the property as a retreat from the city.
The Boyd's children and grandchildren are also free to visit and stay at the homestead.
"The Boyd family is an incredible, creative family," Bundanon Trust chief executive Rachel Kent said.
"You've got musicians, you've got artists. There's a lot going on and this is across four generations.
"So actually part of the deed of gift of Bundanon to the nation is that members of the Boyd family today can come and stay on the property, and we're honoured to have members of the Boyd family come and stay," she said.
As part of the restoration, modern plumbing was installed in the bathroom to ensure it remained functional.
A national treasure
While it is a functioning homestead, for the majority of the year it is open to the public as a museum.
Original artworks from members of the Boyd family remain on display and there is a well-maintained grand piano that takes pride of place in the living room where ticketed concerts are regularly performed.
A new cultural centre at Riversdale, which was the first property in the area purchased by the Boyds, houses and displays most of the original artwork.
The Boyd property is the only one of nine national collecting institutions that is located in regional Australia.
"Bundanon is a national treasure," Ms Kent said.
"All its sisters, if you like, are the larger institutions in Canberra such as the National Gallery, National Library, Portrait Gallery and so forth.
"It's a really important role we play."
Bundanon also acknowledges the traditional owners of the land, the Dharawal and Dhurga language groups and their continued connection to culture, community and country.
