A Geelong Christian school is set to acquire a luxe coastal estate with historic horse racing links

A Geelong private school is set to add a stately coastal homestead and vineyard to its rapidly growing property portfolio. See the pictures.

The Bellarine Peninsula’s historic Suma Park is understood to be in the process of being acquired by Christian College Geelong. Picture: Supplied

A Geelong region Christian college that received $6.7m in JobKeeper is set to expand its property portfolio to include a 40 hectare Bellarine Peninsula vineyard and stately homestead.

Christian College Geelong - which already has five campuses and two early learning centres across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast - is understood to be in the process of acquiring the historic Suma Park estate at Marcus Hill, near Point Lonsdale.

With a historic homestead, self-contained luxury cottages, established vineyard and even its own cricket pitch and train station, Suma Park has expansive grounds, breathtaking coastal and rural views and is understood to be worth millions of dollars.

Historic Suma Park is situated on 100 acres at Marcus Hill, near the coastal towns of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale. Picture: Supplied

The extensive gardens overlook Swan and Port Phillip bays, and rolling countryside. Picture: Supplied

It currently specialises in weddings, functions and corporate events.

Christian College this week declined to comment on the acquisition but the Herald Sun understands an announcement to the school community is imminent.

The rapidly expanding school - which charges fees of between $5000 a year for prep and $16,500 for Year 12 and has about 2200 students and 500 staff - also owns an arts complex near Geelong called Villa Paloma, a 365 hectare working farm in Scotsburn near Ballarat and a cafe in Meredith.

Late last year it was revealed Christian College was a major recipient of taxpayer funded, government JobKeeper payments at the height of the Covid pandemic, pocketing $6.7m, while posting a $3.3m surplus in 2020 and boasting total assets of more than $90m.

The private school also received an additional $21m in government funding.

However, like many private schools, it is also understood to have investments, loyal benefactors and raises funds in a variety of ways, above and beyond student fees.

The stately Suma Park even features it’s own competition cricket pitch. Picture: Supplied

A cool climate vineyard and rolling paddocks surround the estate’s buildings. Picture: Supplied

Suma Park will be the most prestigious addition to the school’s rapidly growing property portfolio, with a rich history that includes a link to Melbourne Cup winner Briseis.

Formerly known as Frankfurt on Sea, the distinctive late Victorian villa was built in the 1880s for prominent stud breeder and horse racing entrepreneur James Wilson.​

In 1876 Wilson’s horse Briseis won the Melbourne Cup and he commissioned a stained glass feature window depicting the head of Briseis.

The picturesque grape vines at Suma Park. Picture: Supplied

The property is a landmark on the Bellarine Peninsula. Picture: Supplied

Originally installed in his Camberwell home, the last remaining part of the window containing the horse head, was later installed in the door to the former smoking room at Suma Park.

The estate also features a stable complex for 24 racehorses, that is rumoured to have once ‘hidden’ Phar Lap, prior to his racing in Geelong.