A large two storey house with castellated towers, built in c. 1906 for William Thomas Farrell, overlooking Centennial Park. It was situated on part of 78 hectares originally subdivided under the Centenary Park Lands Act of 1905.
Colonel W.T. Farrell (1831? - 1906) was married to Frances Farrell (1838 - 1921), who were the parents of Charles, William, Fanny, Charlotte and Louise. Following the death of their parents, the daughters continued to reside at "Swan Isle" until 1945, but in much reduced circumstances.
Farrell was commissioned as Second Lieutenant No. 3 Company Sydney Battalion Volunteer Rifles in 1861 and retired in 1898 as Commanding Officer of the First Infantry Regiment with the rank of Honorary Colonel.
It is believed that the Colonel had soldiers under his command parade in front of "Swan Isle" while he took the salute on the upper balcony, in full military dress of red and gold braid.
During the 1920s and possibly the 1930s, "Swan Isle" was used by St Jude's Anglican Church, Randwick for monthly services. in 1954 is became a private hotel, before being restored as a private residence in 1960.
