Construction had already begun when Colin commenced his journal on 2 May 1858. It was a wet day so the men were "dressing shingles" for the roof under a thatched shelter. All the slabs and shingles were cut from timber on the station, only pine floorboards were imported. Colin noted on 15 June: "Most of the slabs have been put up in the house and some flooring laid". But the most significant entry relating to the homestead was on 19 July: "Having finished bricking the chimney of the new place we have taken possession and find it very comfortable and roomy after the old place which is now 'Bachelors hall'. The musical  instruments even sound better."

Quoted from Lorna McDonald, Magic ships: life story of Colin Archer (Rockhampton: Central Queensland University Press, 1997) pp. 15-16.