[1] Rev Nelson was of Scottish origin and arrived in Australia in 1853 after being invited by the Sydney Presbytery to take spiritual charge of the Presbyterians in the district of Ipswich.

[1] The first structure built on the property of approximately 100 acres (40 ha) was a small red brick house, which remains and is now used as the kitchen.

Designed by Toowoomba architect Willoughby Powell and constructed by local builder, Richard Godsall, it comprised a central entrance vestibule flanked by two large rooms on either side and a connecting hall at the rear.

It was described in 1940 as a long cream-walled house, with wide-spreading verandahs and simple gracious lines fronting verdant lawns and gay flower-beds.

The carriage loop is still evident in front of the house, which is surrounded by rose gardens and many species of mature trees including jacarandas, palms, bunya pines and most notably, an immense Moreton Bay fig at the intersection of the two driveways.

The ballroom is immense, and was also a venue for family wedding receptions and Christmas parties, and probably for many social events during occupancy by the Governors.

[1] Sir Hugh died in 1906 and Gabbinbar was passed to his son Duncan, who was at the time managing a family property in Northern Queensland.

The publication "Darling Downs: The Garden of Australia", refers to this stating that Toowoomba, the recognised summer resort of Queensland, is thronged with visitors in the warmer months.

[1] The same publications describes the area in which Gabbinbar was located as comprising suburban farms and gardens [growing] apples, pears, apricots, peaches, nectarines, mulberries, oranges, strawberries, plums, loquats, quinces and other fruits.

It is thought to have previously been a church, but was used as a billiards room and is sited picturesquely in a wooded area adjacent to the main house.

Walker was associated with Gabbinbar, having collected funnel-web spiders from the site for use at the Commonwealth Serum Laboratory where a vaccine was developed.

This building is a small weatherboard structure with a corrugated iron roof and a side verandah with a corner entrance.

This cottage is a typical late nineteenth century timber house, and a plaque on its front attributes it to the residence of Gerald Walker, naturalist and "spider man" of Toowoomba.

The ceiling, of which the central section is flat and the sides and ends are angled, is also boarded and painted pale green.

[1] The principal house faces north and comprises the long and low-set section at the front, with the original kitchen and additions extending at the rear to form a "U" shape.

Extending along the long axis of the ballroom is a hallway with a timber archway at one end and a doorway at the other, which also leads to the grassed terrace.

An early verandah post below box guttering remains in this room, as do a series of bells, mounted on what would have been an external wall.

Due to the early date of the place, and its relative intactness, the potential exists for further historical and archaeological research which may yield additional information about the site.

The place demonstrates the principal characteristics of its class through the inclusion of substantial entertaining rooms, associated outbuildings and extravagance of design and materials.

The main house has significant architectural merit due to its high degree of materials, detailing and finishes, both internally and externally.

Gabbinbar has special association with the community of Toowoomba as a well-known early residence and summer resort of the Governors of Queensland.

It also has a strong association with the 2/1st Corps Field Survey Company, AIF as a base during the Second World War, who recently held a reunion at the house.

[1] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

[1] Rev William Lambie Nelson was instrumental in the establishment of a Presbyterian Church in Toowoomba, having previously served in Ipswich.

He also owned pastoral properties and purchased the 100 acres (40 ha) on which Gabbinbar was located after passing through the area in the early 1860s.

It also has special association with early Presbyterian and political family, the Nelsons whose direct descendants resided at Gabbinbar until 1970, and with the Governor of Queensland, Lord Chelmsford, who used the place as a summer resort from 1906 to 1909.