[1] The Noraville homestead was built in 1856-7 on a grassy plateau above the sea cliffs by Hargraves using money awarded to him by the Victorian government for his discovery of payable gold.

As part of this a former market garden area west of the homestead was subdivided for housing, the only remnants of it being a broken line of mature coral trees (Erythrina sp.

[1] The homestead sits on a vastly reduced curtilage, however the open grassed area to the north-north-west still provides a suitable foreground setting.

While views to north, south, and west have been compromised by 2 & 3 storey development, the north-west and north-east vista to the ocean is intrinsic to the significance of Noraville.

Once situated on a much larger land holding, the homestead is now surrounded on three sides (north, west, south) by two and three storey residential housing with only the original northern boundary to the ocean remaining.

[1] A line of existing Norfolk Island pine trees (Araucaria heterophylla) runs along the north-western site boundary, planted c. 1960.

Landscape elements such as the site of the former tennis court, c. 1910, and a former duck pond, can be seen as a depression in the grass in front of the homestead adjacent to Elizabeth Drive and west of the stand of figs, respectively.

Further the two new buildings to the east of the kitchen are to be supported above the ground on piles, the location of which can be moved as required to miss any sensitive artefacts.

[1] While much of the original farm has been subject to subdivision and residential development, the present site of Noraville homestead and its surrounds are considered to have archaeological potential in areas where limited disturbance has occurred.

Excavation has the potential to reveal information about the lives of the Hargraves family, their employees, and the operation of the farm in what was once a remote coastal residence.

The site shows a continuity of historical process and activity in relation to the occupation and functioning of the homestead for the past 146 years and in its long association with one family, the Hargraves, with farming and coastal settlement throughout this period.

Its well-preserved appearance, rare cedar composition and prominent cliff-top setting, coupled with the preservation of original ocean views to the northwest-northeast, afford it considerable aesthetic significance.

Original views have been compromised by residential development to the north, west and south; however, the remaining north-west and north-east vista to the ocean is intrinsic to the significance of Noraville.

[1] Although much of the original farm has been subdivided and the early outbuildings demolished, there is an opportunity to gain insights from the past from the homestead itself, and potential subsurface structural and artefactual remains on this surviving portion of land.

[2][1] Hargraves House is considered significant because of its potential to yield archaeological evidence of farming, coastal settlement and family life from the mid-19th century.

There has been considerable community interest in the past over the partial screening of the homestead from the public view by hedging and a stand of coral trees.