Arms of Australia, Great Western Highway, Emu Plains

The unpainted brick area shows the remains of a sign which appears over the door facing the Great Western Highway. It is believed the lettering says Robert Beatson who had the inn in the 1850s. The Arms of Australia Inn was an important stopping place for the Cobb & Co coaches on the Great Western Highway and for those crossing the Blue Mountains. There is no conclusive evidence as to when the inn was built. In 1841 John Mortimer became the first licencee of the inn, but did not own the land until 1846. It would later become the private home of Thomas Ellison who left it to his daughter Sarah and her husband James Hunter. The property is now owned by Penrith City Council and is occupied by the Nepean District Historical Society and their museum.