Murray's Cottage was a new addition to the Hill End Artist in Residence Program in 2003.

The cottage was the Hill End residence of prominent Australian artist Donald Friend (1947 - 1957) and Donald Murray (1947 - 1980s). The nineteenth century cottage has been refurbished with the assistance of a NSW Ministry for the Arts regional infrastructure grant. The building works were designed to maintain the significance of the building and its setting (as per the period of Friend) with a mood of simple living, outdoor orientation, while providing modern and safe amenities for artists.

Murray's Cottage is located on the corner of Beyers Avenue and Moores Lane.

COTTAGE CONTENTS:

Murray's Cottage is equipped with basic facilities and utensils. Artists will need to take their own sheets, pillowcases, doonas, towels and if necessary a radio/CD or tape player.

LIVING QUARTERS/CAPACITY:

Murray's Cottage has the capacity to accommodate one or two artists with partners only. There is one bedroom with a double bed and a fold -up spare bed.

AMENITIES:

Hot and cold running water, electricity, indoor bathroom with a flush lavatory, electric oven/grill, fridge, washing machine, slow combustion wood heater (living room), off peak electric wall heater (kitchen)

THE STUDIO:

The studio (3m x 3m) is located within the cottage. It contains worktable, desk, easel and pin boards. There is a sink outside the back door.

THE GARDEN:

Murray's Cottage garden is listed as culturally significant and is the result of horticulturalist Donald Murray's efforts to recreate a cottage garden. The garden is designed in character with Hill End's historic gardens with an orchard at the back of the site and an axial path to the front. A wide variety of plants can be found in the garden including roses, honeysuckles, succulents and a variety of bulbs. Donald Murray's kept journals recording his gardening activities and these indicate that he used many plants grown locally in Hill End. The journals are now the property of the NPWS.

The garden of figs, plums, quinces, lilac, roses and herbs is surrounded by the town common, adding to the sense of privacy and seclusion.