5. Heronswood House and Garden
Heronswood House and Garden is a historic property and garden in Dromana. It's also home to the Digger's Club, Australia's most respected gardening organisation, dedicated to preserving heirloom seeds and the best gardening traditions. Explore the perennial and annual borders as well as kitchen and vegetable parterre gardens.
6. Mooramong
Spend an afternoon at Mooramong, the warm and cosy homestead of the late Scobie Mackinnon and his Hollywood star wife Claire Adams. The home feels like its tenants have just stepped out for the day, with family photographs, furniture, curios and objects d'art invoking memories spanning the late 1930s through to the '60s. The 600-acre nature reserve is also home to kangaroos, swamp wallabies and birds including brolgas and wedge-tailed eagles. Note, Mooramong is currently closed for conservation works, but accommodation is still available to book. Keep up-to-date via the National Trust website.
7. Narrapumelap Historic Homestead
Garden and historic home meet in this iconic Neo-French Gothic-style mansion. Narrapumelap was built in 1873 by wealthy pastoralist and philanthropist John Dixon Wyselaskie. The homestead's creeper-wreathed lookout tower surveys stone steps encased by topiary leading to immaculate lawns. Join an open day guided tour to explore or stay in apartment accommodation in the west wing of this lovingly restored Western District homestead.
8. The Briars
At The Briars, a beautiful 230-hectare property in Mount Martha, spot koalas, wallabies and more on a walk through the wildlife sanctuary, or tour the heritage homestead. Check out the Shire Nursery for a range of beautiful native and indigenous plants for home gardens, or the Eco-Living Display Centre for all the tips and tricks you need to make your home more resource-efficient.