Wagner's Cottages Estate is owned and operated by Kerry and Michael. We welcome you to enjoy the tranquillity and history that the estate has to offer.

The Wagner family

The Wagner family left Hamburg in Germany aboard the vessel Wilhelmsburg on 10 May 1855, arriving after a protracted 107 day passage on 26 August at Hobart Town, Van Diemens Land (later called Tasmania). Michael and Catherine Wagner, with their son Fredrick and three daughters, Fredricka, Lavinia and Catherine, then made their way up the east coast to settle in Great Swanport, later to become known as Swansea. The family found employment at 'The Grange', a property run by the Cotton family. By 1860 they were able to purchase a 10 acre allotment and used the abundant stone on the land to build a cottage, its fences and stables.

In 1865 Fredricka Wagner married Constable John Pyke. The following year her sister Lavinia married John's brother Henry Pyke, and the couple had 7 children. Tragedy struck in 1890 when, returning home to Swansea from a dance, their horse shied near Rocky Hills, overturning the cart and killing Lavinia. Henry was left to raise his young family, and as was the custom of the day Lavinia's younger sister Catherine stepped in to help, later marrying Henry.

In 1891 Michael Wagner died aged 72, and Catherine followed 7 years later aged 82. The Wagner family grave is in the Church of England Cemetery here in Swansea. Their son Frederick enjoyed a bachelor lifestyle and lived out his days at the family home.

The estate today

Wagner's Cottages Estate was established by local farmers Dianne and Malcolm Sinclair, who purchased and restored the original Wagner family cottage on a 2 acre allotment for tourist accommodation in 1975. Over the next 20 years the Sinclairs designed and built two additional cottages, Hollyhock and Primrose, Primrose in a style sympathetic to the original cottage. The Studio was restored from the ruins of the old stables on the original Wagner's Estate.

Today the estate comprises four fully self-contained, 1 and 2 bedroom cottages, each with its own secluded private gardens. The original Wagner's Cottage is listed on the National Trust Register of Significant Historical Buildings.