Murphy's Journey
The cottage was once part of Tamrookum Homestead built by Robert Collins and family in the 1860s.
In the early 1930s the homestead was taken apart and six homes were built from it including "Murphy’s". The cottage was situated down near the little lagoon which you can see from the back deck and was moved to the current position in the mid 1900s so it could be connected to power.
Just up the hill is Tamrookum All Saints Church which was built in memory of Robert Martin Collins in 1915. The timber-lined church is now a popular wedding venue and Murphy’s provides the perfect accommodation and amenities for the wedding party to prepare.
The Duke and Duchess of York stayed at the original homestead across the road from Murphy’s in 1927. In the early 1930s the remaining estate belonging to Tamrookum Station was sold and the site of the original homestead was renamed "Logan Park".
Rob Murphy’s grandfather, Joseph, purchased Logan Park in 1935 and operated a dairy on the property, which was continued by his parents, John and Nel, until 1981. It is now stocked with Droughtmaster stud cattle from Valera Vale Droughtmasters.
In 2020 the Murphy family of Rob, Libby, Ben and Cameron, still living on the property in the current homestead across the road, decided to renovate the cottage. It is now a lovely reincarnation of times gone by with a flourish of modern amenities, including indoor dining with modern kitchen appointments, outdoor dining and barbecue, full laundry and comfortable bathroom. The grounds provide room and shade for picnics and games on the lawn.
About the renovation
Front verandah
Front verandah
Front verandah
Rob recycled the front verandah boards by restumping the verandah and turning the boards over. Some new boards along with the restyling of the verandah rails.
Barn doors
Front verandah
Front verandah
The three barn doors were made by Rob and Libby - mostly Rob! The pine door with wide boards came from a 100 year old house sourced locally from Ipswich, Qld.
One cedar door is made from the cedar boards which were on the old kitchen floor in the cottage.
The remaining cedar door was re-purposed from the property.
Tables
Front verandah
Bathroom vanity
The tables were all made from old doors from the rear of the cottage.
The dining room table and the deck table were crafted by Libby and the outside table by Rob.
Bathroom vanity
Bathroom vanity and bar slab
Bathroom vanity
Part of the slab crafted by Rob and made secure and fitted by our builder Dan Smith - Palen Projex.
The river stone basin was chosen by Libby.
Bathroom vanity and bar slab
Bathroom vanity and bar slab
Bathroom vanity and bar slab
This three metre Red Gum slab was purchased from Enrights Sawmill in Beaudesert, Qld. Rob crafted it to produce the two pieces in the cottage.
Bar with a view!
Bathroom vanity and bar slab
Bathroom vanity and bar slab
Part of the slab crafted by Rob and made stable and secure with legs and foot rests.