Built by George Johnston, it became one of the most successful farms in the early colonial days of New South Wales.

A key site in Australian colonial history, Annandale Farm served as Johnston's family home and centre of his business interests.

Adjoining this land was a property in Camperdown owned by William Bligh, who Johnston overthrew in the Rum Rebellion.

Rainfall is unreliable and erratic, but averages 1210 mm (47 inches) per year at nearby Sydney.

Eventually, the farm had a bakery, smithy, slaughterhouse, butchery, stores, vineyard and orangerie.

[2] Johnston's son Robert ran his extensive squatting interests from the property, using its large store buildings to house the grain and wool before its export to England.

Plain, square shaped, red bricked two storied buildings housed a number of soldiers.

Johnston was a friend and ally of John Macarthur, who is regarded as the father of the Australian merino sheep industry.

Johnston' wife, Esther Abrahams managed the farm in George's frequent absences.

[3] The first Norfolk Island Pines on the mainland of Australia were planted at Annandale Farm.

The trees lined the carriageway to the house, and could be seen by travelers on nearby Parramatta Road.