Our Story

Banyak Suka. In the Malayan language, it means to love very much — and over more than a century, that is precisely what this remarkable estate has inspired in all who have called it home.

The Beginning

Banyak Suka Homestead was built in the 1920’s by James Malcolm Newman, already a mining millionaire, businessman and engineer of extraordinary reputation. In 1920, Newman purchased the land from his father’s estate and set about creating something enduring — a home that would reflect both his success and his deep connection to the Malayan culture he knew so well. He named the property after the Malayan word for love, and locals came to understand it simply as the well-beloved home.

Newman’s vision was realised in stone, timber and gardens that have stood for over a century. The hand-laid stone walls, the original chapel where local families gathered for Sunday service throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s, and the sweeping grounds all bear testament to a man who built not just for his own time, but for the ages. James Malcolm Newman owned Banyak Suka until 1955.

A Prime Minister’s Visit

In 1955 the Bridle family became the next custodians of Banyak Suka. During their ownership, in February 1958, the estate received one of its most distinguished guests — British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and Lady Dorothy Macmillan, who visited and stayed for several days. It was a moment that spoke to the quiet prestige and warmth that Banyak Suka had always inspired in those who experienced it.

Courage & Dedication

From 1960 to 1985, Banyak Suka was home to two World War I veterans — Dr Suzie Buckingham and Reginald Eric Buckingham. Their quarter century at the estate added yet another layer of character and resilience to the property’s story. The Copas family followed from 1985 to 1988, continuing the tradition of dedicated stewardship.

Music in the Air

Perhaps one of the most evocative chapters in Banyak Suka’s history came between 1988 and 1998, when the estate was owned by Mark McEntee of the iconic Australian rock band The Divinyls. It was here, in the gardens and rooms of this beloved homestead, that McEntee and the legendary Chrissie Amphlett wrote the majority of their music — songs that would go on to define an era of Australian rock. One can only imagine the creative energy that filled these spaces during those years, and something of that spirit seems to linger still in the atmosphere of the place.

Into the New Millennium

In 1998 the Saddlier family acquired the property, and after subdividing the land, passed it on in 1999. It was the Perkins family who then took ownership from 1999 to 2018, embarking on a mission to return Banyak Suka to its former glory. Their love for the property was so profound that they commissioned a 210-page book documenting the full history of the estate and all those who had called it home — a remarkable testament to the depth of story held within these grounds.

Our Chapter

In 2018 Dean and Lynne Smith became the latest custodians of Banyak Suka, and like everyone before them, they fell in love the moment they came up the driveway. What drew them was everything — the history, the charm, the character, the peacefulness — but most of all it was the sound. All they could hear was wildlife and birdsong. In that moment, they knew they were home.

Over the past eight years Dean and Lynne have honoured the legacy of this extraordinary place, embarking on a complete renovation that respects everything that makes Banyak Suka what it is. They are now more than halfway through that journey.

Their vision is simple — to share Banyak Suka with as many people as possible. Whether you are a bridal party celebrating at the nearby Delaneys Estate, a group seeking a yoga retreat, a team gathering for a leadership workshop, guests enjoying a murder mystery evening, or someone who simply wants to come and lose themselves in the gardens for a while — there is a place for you here.

Banyak Suka. A well-beloved homestead. We invite you to come and love it too.