Bronte House is one of the oldest houses in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, built between 1843 and 1845. Set amid two acres of rolling, park-like grounds, it is nestled into Bronte Gully and adjoining the beachfront reserve.

Bronte House and grounds was sold to Waverley Council in 1948, and the land was listed on the Australian Heritage Commissions Register of the National Estate 1978, and the State Heritage Register in 1999.

The house underwent major refurbishment in 2014 and was restored to its full splendour. It consists of 3─4 bedrooms, a study, three bathrooms, a lounge, dining room, a separate kitchen and open verandas; the gardens are also substantial and contain a wide variety of plants which provide a seasonal showcase throughout the year.

Since the completion of the refurbishment in 2015 the property has been leased as a residence with the tenants identified through an open tender process. The current lease will expire in early 2026.

Under the lease the tenants are required to allow public access to the property a minimum of six times a year. Public access has predominantly been provided through scheduled public open days held on weekends throughout the year. In addition to open days, public access is also provided through additional activities such as heritage walks, garden awards, National Trust and Historic Houses events.

At the March 2025 Council Meeting, Council endorsed undertaking community consultation to explore options for expanded public access and usage of the property.

The current Bronte House Plan of Management (PoM) was endorsed by Council in 2015. The document sets out how the property will be managed. The PoM is available to read here.

Following the completion of the community consultation the PoM will be updated to reflect the intended future use of the property. The PoM will then undergo a further round of community consultation prior to being presented to Council for final approval.

The community consultation will be open from 28 May - 25 June 2025.