Tulkiyan, Heritage-listed former villa and house museum in Gordon, Sydney, Australia

Tulkiyan is a two-storey brick villa with a terracotta shingle roof at 707 Pacific Highway, Gordon, designed by B. J. Waterhouse of Waterhouse and Lake and built in 1913 for Mary and William Donaldson at a cost of £2,147. Most rooms open onto their own private outdoor area or patio. The garden was laid out by Mr Mottram.

Architect B.J. Waterhouse designed and built this house in 1913, a time when Australian residential architecture was changing rapidly. The building came into being during a period when new ideas about design and craftsmanship were gaining popularity in Sydney.

The interior shows how wealthy Sydney families lived before World War I, with each room designed for specific purposes and filled with objects that mattered to them. Walking through reveals the choices these families made about comfort, entertainment, and daily routines.

The property is protected by the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means any changes or maintenance work requires special permits and approvals. Before visiting, check what areas are open to the public and whether guided tours are available.

The Donaldson family chose this lot because it lay halfway between the Chatswood and Warrawee Bowling Clubs. A timber-framed garage went up in 1916 for Mr Donaldson's Studebaker, but white ants led to its demolition after the council took over the property in 1985.