Rainham, Bathurst’s Georgian colonial homestead built in 1832 by Captain Thomas Raine, father of Raine & Horne founder Tom Raine Jr, has been listed for public sale with a price guide of $2 million.
The heritage-listed estate will go under the hammer on 6 November, marketed by Grant Maskill-Dowton, Director of Raine & Horne Bathurst.
Constructed with the assistance of convict labour, Rainham sits on an 80-acre landholding just five minutes from Bathurst and has only been publicly offered once before in nearly two centuries.
“Offered on the public market for only the second time in nearly two centuries, Rainham presents a rare opportunity to secure an iconic piece of Australian history,” Mr Maskill-Dowton said.
“Rainham is more than just a home – it’s a time capsule of colonial Australia. The property offers exceptional bones, while presenting a unique opportunity for buyers with a passion for heritage to further develop and imagine a truly historic estate.”
Vendors Richard and Suzy Miller have overseen sensitive restorations, balancing liveability with conservation and their work has attracted international recognition, with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Glenn Murcutt describing Rainham as an example of “best practice” in heritage stewardship.
He told them: “I thought that your house was wonderful and what you’ve done to retain its history, and your contribution to the furnishings – and garden – is an example of ‘best practice’ for those who take on buildings of such historic value. You’ve achieved such quality and it’s truly exotic which gives the richness achieved.”
Rainham’s story is deeply linked with Captain Raine, a mariner praised by Governor Macquarie at just 18 for his humane leadership aboard the convict ship Surry.
He went on to chart part of the Great Barrier Reef, with Raine Island and Raine Passage still bearing his name.
“He was a pioneering merchant, explorer, and pastoralist. And here, on the fertile soils of Bathurst, he built Rainham – a homestead that would shape local history for generations,” said Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne and great-great-grandson of Captain Raine.
The estate remained in the Raine family until 1854, later serving as a gold rush inn, a hub for mill entrepreneur William Tremain, and even boasting its own railway link.
In 1969, it was recognised by the National Trust of Australia as a “home of historical interest.”
Today, Rainham offers four bedrooms, convict-built wings, cobblestone stables, and period joinery, along with modern upgrades including solar power, rewiring, restored water wells, bores, tanks, and an irrigation system fed by its original Southern Cross windmill.
“With its heritage significance, fertile farmland, and proximity to the Bathurst CBD, Rainham will appeal to history buffs, tree-changers, lifestyle buyers, or even commercial operators wanting to create something truly special,” Mr Maskill-Dowton said.
