Gringegalgona Homestead c.1873 – The epitome of the grand country house

There is a strong sense of arrival as you catch a glimpse of this grand two storey mansion, positioned on a rise, and dominating the surrounding landscape. This is ‘Gringegalgona Homestead’ – the epitome of the grand country house, and one of the Western District’s finest – a region renowned as having the largest collection of historic rural mansion estates in Australia. Beautifully presented and in exceptional structural condition, the mansion retains all the classical hallmarks of the grand mid Victorian Italianate vernacular including symmetry, refinement and scale. Gringegalgona is now offered for the first time since 1939/40 as an outstanding weekend country house or a grand rural family home.

Historically noted and architecturally significant, Gringegalgona comes with provenance. It was Simeon Cadden who first took up the vast pastoral run of over 90,000 acres which formed Gringegalgona. It wasn’t until 1861 that Duncan Robertson, a successful Western District pastoralist, purchased the run with 28,000 acres. In 1868 Robertson called for tenders to build his new homestead and in 1873-74, commissioned William Thomas Gore from South Australia, to replace Cadden’s original homestead and build the 690m2 sandstone mansion at a cost of £6,000 pounds. Over the years the property reduced in size, and in 1919 May Robertson secured the homestead block with 1,940 acres for a sum of £9,200 pounds. The current owners’ family purchased the property in 1939-40, and during the 1960’s the homestead block was reduced to the current 55 acres and has remained a private family home since.

The scene is set as you approach the front of the imposing home. It features a magnificent deep, expansive and detailed verandah. The main entrance door, with elegant sidelights and fanlights, leads to an impressive entry hallway of enormous proportions and fine detailing, including 5m ceilings, marbled arched columns, moulded consoles, deep cornices and wide Northern hemisphere pine/fir and spruce floor boards. The faux marbling decorative scheme is some of the best surviving examples in Victoria. Off the hallway are four large and gracious, well proportioned formal rooms including the drawing, sitting and dining rooms, and library. Further to the rear of the house, are two wings consisting of several domestic and service rooms, including the butler’s pantry, original kitchen, cook’s bedroom, scullery, office, bathroom, storage rooms and cellar. The original courtyard was enclosed during the 1920’s, and is now a huge fully serviced modern country kitchen and casual family dining area. Beyond this is a linked cover way leading to the servant’s area which houses further bedrooms, bathroom, kitchenette and laundry.

The grand staircase leads to 6 large bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms all with 3.7m ceilings and wonderful views over the garden and Dundas Ranges.

All of the rooms have fine internal architectural features expected of a house of this importance and grandeur, including marble and timber fire surrounds, wide floorboards, high decorative ceilings, magnificent joinery, panelled doors, large sash windows and bay windows, with views over the garden and surrounding hills. These features were all designed to impress visitors and make a lasting statement. Externally, the house is equally impressive. The symmetrical front facade includes locally quarried freestone, quoin masonry, Corinthian verandah posts and the symbolic stone ring representing the house and garden. The house is serviced by tank water (200,000 litre tank capacity), mains power and hydronic gas heating.

The property comprises of Bryan’s Creek frontage, fenced livestock paddocks and 2 dams. The established garden is abundant with mature English deciduous trees, expansive lawns, hedging, flower beds, fruit trees, majestic red gums and the front lawn includes the only known example of three lawn turning circles in Victoria. Outbuildings include the 300m2 stone stables, coach house, equipment rooms and hay loft.

Gringegalgona is located in the Western District and Grampians (Gariwerd) region of Victoria – a culturally, historically and environmentally rich region, particularly renowned for its unspoilt natural beauty and ancient Aboriginal Rock Art. Within 30 – 90 mins of Gringegalgona are the townships of Hamilton, Dunkeld and Halls Gap, the Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre, Hamilton Art Gallery and the Horsham Regional Art Gallery, wineries, popular eateries and cafes including the famous Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, antique stores, walking trails and rock climbing. Melbourne is a scenic 4 hour drive away.

Whether Gringegalgona is your next family home, grand weekend country house or an exclusive accommodation venture – it offers an exciting and remarkable opportunity to own one of the Western District’s truly exceptional historic country houses.

For a private inspection, please contact Dominic Romeo, Heritage Property Specialist on – 0434 500 277 or email – dominicromeo@circaheritageandlifestyle.com.au.