Claremont House circa 1839, was originally constructed as the four room two storey Georgian home of Henry Bilton. Henry was the founding Leicester sheep farmer in Tasmania and the Warden of Glenorchy. He lived on the 734 acre property with his wife and a household of 14, including convicts who worked the land.

In 1889 Parliamentarian and merchant, Frank Bond purchased the property. Bond’s occupation of the property is responsible in part for the existing fabric of Claremont House today. The two storey wrap around verandahs, ballroom, dining room and four storey Victorian Italianate tower with widow’s walk.

The most significant evolution of the interior of the house took place under the ownership of Kathleen Brock, later to become Lady Cottrell Dormer. The Lady Cottrell-Dormer Grand Ballroom of the house has been host to some of Tasmania’s most lavish events. Social gatherings such as afternoon teas, fundraisers and tennis parties were recorded in the Glenorchy Gazette in 1912 and 1916.

Today Claremont House stands as a stately Victorian Italianate mansion of 164 squares on 5 acres with heritage listed gardens.  The mansion stands atop a hillside; the outlook to the east is over the teardrop garden which includes an apple arbour leading to a 3 tier Victorian fountain and views of the beautiful Derwent River in the backdrop.  To the south are views of Mt Wellington and to the west is Mt Faulkner.

Much of the existing fabric of the house from 170 years ago is still intact and the existing framework of the surrounding garden is still evident. The front rooms of Claremont House have been meticulously restored reviving the splendour of yesteryear.

Claremont House, one of the most significant properties in Australian history was listed on the State Heritage Register in 1997. Under government ownership, a demolition order was approved in 1996 to obtain a higher price for the land. The people of Tasmania rallied to save the doomed property from becoming another lost part of our heritage.

The current owners have fought since 1997 for the survival of the property for it to be used by the people of Tasmania.  Claremont House opened its’ doors in April 2012 with a view to becoming one of Tasmania’s premier event centres.  The Cottrell-Dormer Grand Ballroom and Joe Darling Billiards room are currently available for hire whilst the original dining room is currently under restoration.  Proceeds from the functions at Claremont House will be used for the continual re-development of the property.