During our recent visit to Melbourne, Australia we visited Captain Cook’s cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. This cottage, built in 1755, is the oldest building in Australia, and although it is called Captain Cook’s cottage, the building was actually owned by his parents. It is thought that James Cook did spend some time there during his holidays.
The cottage originally stood in Yorkshire, and when it came up for sale in 1934 Sir Russell Grimwade purchased the building. The brick cottage was dismantled, each brick labeled and shipped to Australia. On arrival, the cottage was reassembled.
These days the cottage is a tourist attraction with the rooms furnished in a typical style. The cottage is surrounded by a cottage garden containing flowers and vegetables.
The cute exterior.
Part of the cottage garden.
Ground floor interior. Lounge room.
Parents’ bedroom, off the lounge. At night the curtains would be pulled for privacy.
Click to enlarge.
A brass of Cook, out in the garden
Captain Cook is an important part of New Zealand and Australian history. He visited New Zealand three times, charted much of our coast line and named many of the coastal landmarks. He also discovered and charted the Australian east coast and named it New South Wales.
If you’re ever in Melbourne Cook’s cottage is an interesting place to visit. I recommend it. 
Do you enjoy visiting historical houses? Do you have a favorite?
That’s a very neat find. I’ve never been to any historical homes but I like reading about them.
I like reading about them too, Mary. They’re especially good if they’re set up with displays of period items of the same age as the house.
Oh how neat. Thanks for the post Shelley! What a cute building. I love historical things like this :D
The cottage is very cute and it’s tucked away in the park. It’s a lovely setting.
I sometimes read how people relocate buildings and number the bricks or siding or whatever to make sure it goes back the same way. It never ceases to amaze me the trouble they go through.
I love historical homes. The one that made a lasting impression was a little house where Abraham Lincoln stayed. The bed was so narrow and short–especially for him, a tall man. I imagine he was pretty uncomfortable.
The rooms in this cottage were tiny too and the stairs quite narrow. They certainly didn’t have much privacy in those days.