Victoria's heritage houses

Visit these regional heritage houses in Victoria for a taste of bygone times. Walk in the steps of the pastoralists, creatives and nobility who called them home. Hear the sobering stories of those who were displaced. Track the history of Victoria's regions through the storied architecture and surrounding landscapes of these historical landmarks.

1. Barwon Grange

Barwon Grange is the only surviving example of the many fashionable riverfront residences built along the Barwon River for Geelong's wealthiest during the 1850s and 1860s. It was built for businessman Jonathon Porter O'Brien and his wife, who only lived there for a year before returning to England.

2. Barwon Park

Once a lavish homestead set back from the Barwon River, today this Italianate bluestone mansion makes an impressive wedding and function venue. Barwon Park's ornate entrance halls leads on to 42 rooms, and was home to pioneer and pastoralist Thomas Austin and his philanthropist wife Elizabeth.

3. Coombe Yarra Valley

Dame Nellie Melba, remembered as Australia's most famous opera singer, made Coombe Cottage her home in the late 1800s. It's still owned and operated by her descendants, the Vestey family. Visit Coombe Yarra Valley, part of the Melba Estate, for a taste of history, art and a gourmet experience at the Yarra Valley's gateway.

4. Fortuna Villa

Fortuna Villa in Bendigo was built in 1855 during the gold rush by one of Australia’s wealthiest mining magnates. It was also used for defence purposes by the Australian Army, but is now open to the public for events and high tea.

5. Lake View House

Stroll through Chiltern's Lake View House, the childhood home of Ethel Florence Richardson, who immortalised her experiences in Chiltern in her popular The Fortunes of Richard Mahony trilogy.

6. McCrae Homestead

McCrae Homestead is one of Victoria's oldest homesteads, representing a time capsule of the early pioneering life. It's also a chance to look back at the relationships between colonial settler families and the traditional owners of the land.

7. Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead

Pioneer stonemason Henry Sebire migrated from Guernsey to Melbourne in 1850. In the 1880s, Henry built the Mont de Lancey Historic Homestead from bricks fired on the Yarra Valley property. Take the Mont De Lancey YesterYear tour to explore pioneer life in regional Victoria in the late 1800s.

8. Mulberry Hill

Mulberry Hill on the Mornington Peninsula was the home of Sir Daryl and Lady Joan Lindsay. Sir Daryl was Director of the National Gallery of Victoria from 1941 to 1956 and was knighted in 1957 for his services to Australian art. Lady Joan was an artist and writer best known for her novel, Picnic at Hanging Rock.