Ayers House

Ayers House is a bluestone mansion in Adelaide featuring Neoclassical design elements such as ornate painted finishes and detailed decorations on walls and ceilings throughout its grand rooms. The building extends across multiple levels with lavishly decorated spaces that showcase the craftsmanship of the period.

Built in 1876, the house belonged to Sir Henry Ayers, who served multiple terms as Premier of South Australia and shaped the region's development. His prominence in colonial society was reflected in the elaborate construction and how the residence functioned as a center of political and social life.

The State Dining Room displays original 19th-century settings that show how prominent families in South Australia dined and conducted themselves at table. Visitors can observe the formal arrangements and table customs that governed social gatherings in colonial times.

The house offers guided tours for visitors and sits near the Botanic Gardens tram stop for convenient access. On-site parking and accessible pathways make it straightforward to navigate the property and its various rooms.

The house contains trompe-l'oeil paintings in several rooms, a rare example of this optical illusion technique in Australian colonial architecture. These intricate works deceive the eye about the actual structure and depth of walls and surfaces.

Location: Adelaide

Inception: 1876

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

GPS coordinates: -34.92170,138.60900

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:02