 In 1882 "The Illustrated Sydney News" described it as "on the summit of a hill, which overlooks the village, and hidden from sight by a clump of splendid pines, stands the summer residence of the Governor of NSW, commanding a splendid view to the north.It is no doubt greatly owing to this that Sutton Forest is alive and vigorous".The same article went on to say that the landscape "possesses no picturesque ravines nor thundery waterfalls to make it popular with the tourist."