Properties By Region

Tranby Heritage Information

Joseph Hardey and his wife Ann, both new arrivals to the Swan River Colony, settled this heritage property in February 1830, as part of the original land allocation by Governor Stirling.

They were among a party of Methodist settlers, including Joseph's two brothers, who chartered the brig "Tranby" and emigrated from Hull in England to the new colony. The journey took five months, during which time tragedy struck the family with the sudden death of Joseph Hardey's brother William, just one month prior to reaching their destination.

The group came well prepared for life in the colony bringing servants, farm equipment, animals, and building materials, but it was a desolate scene that greeted the new arrivals when they reached the Swan River Colony. There were still no facilities in place and the group had to camp on the beach for several months waiting for land allocations.

The Hardey brothers were keen to start farming and had found a favourable area of land called the 'Peninsula' by the Swan River. They were able to persuade Governor Stirling to grant them this land, thereby avoiding the usual time consuming land grant procedure.

In May 1830 Joseph and Ann moved into their first home at the Peninsula, but it would be several years before Tranby House itself (originally named "Peninsula Farm") was built in 1839. Tranby was the Hardeys' third home at the site, following the destruction of the first two homes by the flooding of the river.

The property was run as a small, successful mixed farm and remained in the ownership of the Hardey family throughout the rest of the 19th century. During this time the family gained a prominent status in the community in the areas of politics and religion.

The National Trust acquired the property in 1975 and it is now among the oldest surviving homes in Western Australia. The site has significant aesthetic and social value, providing evidence of the lifestyle of successful practical farmers and community leaders of that period. The farm was also one of the first to be established in the Swan River Colony and formed part of the original European settlement. Following extensive restoration work, Tranby House was opened to the public in 1977.

Although the surrounding farmland has since been sub-divided, the oaks, olives and mulberry trees planted by the Hardey family still remain. Throughout the garden, visitors can find vegetables and herbs used in colonial times, and plants that were brought by the pioneers for sustenance, crops and sentimental reasons. Two of the oak trees, one of which is reputed to be as old as the house, were listed on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees in 1984.