Honouring Frederick Goyder at The Carrington

Today we were delighted to welcome Geoff Little to The Carrington Hotel. Geoff is the great-grandson of Frederick Goyder, a key figure in the Hotel’s history and he brought with him a truly special gift.

Geoff donated a canvas print of an original painting he owns of his great-grandfather, Frederick Goyder. The original artwork dates back to the mid-1800s and has hung in Geoff’s home for years. For a long time, he knew the portrait was of a relative, but the family connection remained a mystery. A conversation encouraged Geoff to delve deeper into its history and soon after his brother uncovered a tucked-away print. This serendipitous discovery brought the Goyder legacy full circle, back to the very place where Frederick made his mark.

Who Was Frederick Goyder?

Frederick Charles Goyder purchased what was then the Great Western Hotel in 1885, following the death of its previous proprietor, Rowell. Though not yet the official lessee, Goyder quickly took initiative. In November that same year, he renamed the property The Carrington Hotel, in honour of the new Governor of New South Wales, His Excellency Lord Charles Robert Carrington.

Lord Carrington later stayed at the Hotel twice in 1887, once in May and again in September. During the latter visit, he and Lady Carrington were even escorted along the newly opened Six Foot Track to the Jenolan Caves—a grand excursion of the time.

Under Goyder’s stewardship, The Carrington quickly gained a reputation as one of the most prestigious resorts in the Southern Hemisphere. It drew Sydney’s elite to the Blue Mountains and was often dubbed the only true rival to the iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

Goyder’s Legacy

Frederick Goyder was more than just a visionary hotelier. Alongside hotel manager A. Peacock, he was instrumental in bringing modern infrastructure to Katoomba, including the town’s first water supply and sewerage system.

He also commissioned the creation of the Grand Dining Room, still one of the Hotel’s most breathtaking spaces today. And when Katoomba received its first telephone line, The Carrington held the very first number: Katoomba 1—a detail still reflected in our current number, (02) 4782 1111.

He even left his mark on the landscape with elegant shrubberies, pines, and garden plantings, many of which set the tone for the Hotel’s stately charm that visitors continue to admire.

A Gift of Great Meaning

To have this portrait now at The Carrington is incredibly special. It not only honours the man whose vision shaped our hotel’s legacy—it also brings a piece of personal family history into the public eye, where guests and visitors can appreciate the remarkable story behind it.

We are grateful to Geoff for his generosity and for sharing this meaningful piece of history with us..