Gorge Farm is on land originally granted to John Wright in 1840. The farm was bought by Judge E.C.Gywnne at some time before 1855, who sold it to John Howard at that time. A ploughing match was held there in 1855, reported on by the Register newspaper which described the farm as a 'fine farm of 450 acres'. Although a 'fine farm' it appears to have only had a mud hut as a dwelling, but this was soon replaced by Howard with a house.

Howard sold the farm to David Cowan in 1860. In 1864 portion of the house was destroyed by fire, but Cowan rebuilt it and obviously improved it, as the Council's rate assessment for the house doubled shortly afterwards. Subsequent owners were E.H.Randell, John Cornish, and Henry Symonds. In 1919 part of the farm was bought by members of the Putland family. Albert and Fanny Putland lived for the greater part of their married life at the Gorge Farm.