George Curry fell in love with the lake while surveying the region in the pioneering days. He and the Local Council and Forestry Department formed what was then called the Lake’s Trust. This trust sought to protect the lake and surrounding land from logging.

In 1923, George applied for a grant and was given a perpetual lease over one acre of land on the shore of Lake Barrine. Living on the lake's edge in a corrugated iron hut, George first showed the visitors around Lake Barrine in a rowboat.

The timber teahouse was originally built in the 1930s as a dance hall and has since had many uses, including an aquatic centre, guest house, school; and during World War II, it was a convalescent home. Today the teahouse, nestled right on the lake’s edge, provides breakfasts, lunches, and their famous prize-winning Devonshire teas.

The 3rd generation of the Curry family still own, and the 4th generation manages the teahouse and boat cruises. Their commitment to preserving the natural heritage of the lake has remained unchanged for the past 90 years.