Hampton lies half way between Mount Victoria and Jenolan Caves, and from its settlement in the mid 1800’s became an important staging post for visitors to the Caves. Boasting stunning views from Hartley Valley in the northeast to the Kanimbla Valley in the southeast and at nearly 1100 metres, in the winter snow belt, it looks eastward across the Megalong Valley to escarpments which light up at sunset, with Blackheath and Medlow Bath on the ridgetop above.

Hampton Homestead has a rich and varied history and occupies the site of an earlier weatherboard inn called the Imperial Halfway House, which was a coach stop and popular resting place for travellers and their horses.

In the 1860’s, Joseph Kelly started building the stone house which is now the Homestead’s lounge & dining room, and has in the past been used as a general store, a bunkhouse, and a café known as ‘The Stone Cottage’.
It now operates as a restaurant on the weekends, offering fine dining, by arrangement, for lunch, dinner and private functions for interested members of the public (see Food Matters). The Homestead also can host garden weddings, with receptions in a marquee with views of the valley and escarpments, or inside for small wedding parties of up to about 30 people.

A 1920’s extension, complete with leadlight windows now provides stylish and comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation in 3 ensuite rooms. The enclosed northern facing verandah with a slow combustion fire and great views is also used weekdays for the café.

Set on over 30 acres of land with a spring fed dam, Hampton Homestead also provides a ‘farmstay’ experience. Guests can watch or participate in the morning feeding of the goats, sheep and poultry, eat delicious golden-yellow farm fresh free range eggs for breakfast, and dine in, any night of the week.

Previous generations of Hampton settlers planted many European trees and huge pine trees serve as windbreaks. At times, the wind in the treetops sounds like the sea! Behind the Homestead there is a massive pine tree which measures over 8 metres (25 feet) around its girth. What stories this could tell!

Hampton has two wind generators standing proudly on the hill and can be seen for miles. These graceful landmarks are not far from the Homestead and indicate wind direction as they rotate on vertical axes to point into the wind.

In Spring the area dances with daffodils; in Summer the cooling breezes and altitude offer relief from the heat; in Autumn, the pine forests nearby come alive with mushrooms; and in Winter, open fires offer warmth and comfort.

Hampton Homestead is a great base for those wishing to stay in the area during the flower festivals of Rydal, Oberon and Blackheath, and is also close enough to Bathurst for car racing enthusiasts who want to balance the excitement and noise of the day with a peaceful evening retreat.

Whatever the season or the reason, Hampton Homestead is ideally situated for visiting Jenolan Caves, exploring the area’s attractions, trout fishing or bushwalking, looking for pine mushrooms in season, or driving to the magnificent Kanangra Walls.

Or then again, guests may choose to simply stay in, rest and rejuvenate, perhaps read, or explore the property and take in its great views and wildlife.

Hampton Homestead is a beautiful place in a gorgeous part of the world, where it is possible to unclutter and unfetter the mind and find a retreat from the rat race and the many demands of modern life.