Ghosts aside, these stately rural Australian mansions bring history to life.
In Australia’s colonial and Federation days McMansions were unheard of – we only built real mansions back then. Our historic grand country houses replicated genteel English rural life, stately status symbols befitting the pastoral empires won down-under. Georgian and Victorian neo-gothic architecture formed the lavish backdrop for fox hunts, balls and garden parties, trumpeting the material success of those enjoying life at the top within. But they also recall a vanished part of the socioeconomic fabric, when a district’s wealthiest families were usually its biggest employers – and active voices in local and colonial government. All proved monuments to a very brief glory, however. Few families reached four generations under their grand ceilings and today the National Trust administers many of these properties for all to enjoy. Others, now in private hands, offer luxury accommodation or dining – and most are willing to host your wedding or corporate function.
Victoria
Bundoora
7-27 Snake Gully Drive, Bundoora.
+61 3 9496 1060.
Koendidda
Pooleys Road, near Barnwartha.
Rio Vista
199 Cureton Avenue, Mildura.
+61 3 5018 8330.
Rippon Lea
192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick.
+61 3 9523 6095.
Rupertswood
3 Macedon Street, Sunbury.
+61 3 9740 5020.
Werribee Park
K Road, Werribee.
+61 3 8734 5100.
South Australia
Collingrove Homestead
Eden Valley Road, Angaston.
+61 8 8564 2061.
Martindale Hall
Manoora Road, near Mintaro.
+61 8 8843 9088.
North Bundaleer
Clare Valley, near Jamestown.
+61 8 8665 4024.
New South Wales
Abercrombie House
Ophir Road, Bathurst.
+61 2 6332 1444.
Duntryleague
Woodward Street, Orange.
+61 2 6362 3466.
Monte Cristo
Homestead Lane, Junee.
+61 2 6924 1637.
Saumarez House
New England Highway, Armidale.
+61 2 6772 3616.
Tomago House
Tomago Road, Tomago.
+61 2 4929 2117.
Vaucluse House
Wentworth Road, Vaucluse, Sydney.
+61 2 9388 7922.
Western Australia
Kobeelya
Brownie Avenue, Katanning.
+61 8 9821 1922.
Queensland
Gooloowan
43 Quarry Street, Ipswich.
+61 7 3281 3886.
Jimbour House
Jimbour, near Dalby.
+61 7 4663 6108.
Tasmania
Clarendon
234 Clarendon Station Road, Evandale.
+61 3 6398 6220.
Entally House
Meander Valley Highway (B54), Hadspen.
+61 3 6393 6201.
Tynwald
Hobart Road, New Norfolk.
+61 3 6261 2667.
Source: Qantas The Australian Way October 2008