Picture special: Dandenong Ranges mansions then and now

They were the playgrounds of the rich and famous, now incredible images show the changing face of historical homes in the Dandenongs.

“Then and now” images of the mansion at Burnham Beeches Sherbrooke, and Kenloch Olinda.

If their walls could talk, the mansions and historical estates of the Dandenong Ranges would have quite the story to tell.

The area is home to many stunning properties, some dating back more than 100 years, when a number of guesthouses began popping up in the area as people headed to the hills for holidays.

Save the Dandenongs League vice president Carolyn Ebdon, also president of the Dandenong Ranges National Trust Branch, said in the early days, the roads through the hills were difficult and there was a sense of isolation.

“A lot of people would only come for weekends or holidays,” she said.

“Those who were fortunate enough were able to build their “country estate”.

“They would go to the hills to get away from it all.”

The Burnham Beeches estate in Sherbrooke is Ms Ebdon’s favourite historical home in the area.

The sprawling property was the former home of Alfred Nicholas, who co-launched pain relief product Aspro in 1917.

The art deco home on the site is known as the Norris building, named after architect Harris Norris.

Nicholas used Burnham Beeches as his rural retreat from 1933 and died at the property in 1937.

Historical mansions of the Dandenongs – Burnham Beeches, Kenloch and Rostrevor.

The property was used by the Nicholas Institute for medical and veterinary research and was then used as guesthouse accommodation, but has been closed to the public since 1992.

Chef Shannon Bennett has since bought the property but has faced hurdles in his plan to turn it into a luxury retreat.

“It’s a really important house as far as I’m concerned and I’d love the opportunity for it to be available for people to even just wander around the outside of it,” Ms Ebdon said.

Another favourite of Ms Ebdon’s is Dr Jorgensen’s House in Belgrave, now operating as the Earthly Pleasures Cafe.

It was the first doctor’s surgery in the hills.

“That’s a fabulous old building, built in the 1930s, and it’s got a connection to Montsalvat in Eltham because (Dr Jorgensen and Montsalvat founder Justus Jörgensen) were brothers.”

“It’s a really beautiful bluestone house.”

The stunning Earthly Pleasures Cafe building. Picture: Earthly Pleasures Cafe Facebook page.

Ms Ebdon said the Mawarra historic house in Sherbooke, on grounds designed by renowned landscape designer Edna Walling, was another stand out, along with Marybrooke Manor next door, which she said was “an amazing house”.

“It was built around the 1930s and there was a connection between the owners of Marybrooke and the Nicholas family (at Burnham Beeches) – they were friends and would help each other out with things,” Ms Ebdon said.

“Marybrooke Manor is absolutely stunning, built in the Tudor style.”

According to the Marybrooke website, it was built in 1940, and began “as the grandest guesthouse”. It’s now used as wedding and function centre.

Many Melburnians would remember navigating the windy hills roads to attend a wedding at the stunning Kenloch Estate.

Leader News previously reported Thomas Kennon bought the land in 1915, built an 18-room mansion and named it Kenloch.

Kennon died in 1933 and Kenloch had other owners before Kathleen Martin took over in 1956 and turned it into a wedding reception centre.

It operated as a restaurant, function centre and wedding venue for decades.

Now a private home, it sold for more than $5 million in 2017.

Many people would also recognise the stunning Rostrevor home in Sassafras, which is more than 100 years old, and has recently been listed for sale.

Fletchers Yarra Ranges director Scott Allison said the iconic property was one of the oldest standing guesthouses in the Dandenongs.

“It’s known by name not an address – I think it’s the most iconic house in the hills,” Mr Allison said.

Check out these amazing images showcasing how the local landmarks have changed over the years.

BURNHAM BEECHES, SHERBROOKE

Burnham Beeches, a forest property on top of the Dandenongs, featuring a three-storey, 24-room mansion, pictured in 1955.

The mansion in 2002.

KENLOCH, OLINDA

The now private house pictured in 2017.

Kath Martin and children, Eve and Goff, at their imposing restaurant Kenloch in 1981.

The house sold for more than $5 million in 2017.

ROSTREVOR, SASSAFRAS

Rostrevor in 1981.

The house several years ago.

Rostrevor in the early days. Picture: Fletchers Yarra Ranges

The snow covered mansion in 2018.

THE LOFT IN THE MILL, OLINDA

The Loft in the Mill in 1991.

The boutique accommodation venue today.

ALFRED NICHOLAS GARDEN ENTRANCE

The entrance in 1981.

The stone entrance remains in place today.

ALFRED NICHOLAS GARDEN LAKE

This is the ornamental lake at Burnham Beeches, Sassafras in 1965, which was given to the Shire of Sherbrooke as a public park.

The lake bursting with autumn colour in 2012.

BELGRAVE MAIN STREET

Belgrave Main St in 1953. HWT Argus Collection.

The street in more recent years. Picture: Steve Tanner

SKY HIGH MOUNT DANDENONG

The SkyHigh restaurant in 1987.

The foggy lookout in 2001.

THE CUCKOO RESTAURANT, OLINDA

The Cuckoo Restaurant in 1976.

The now-closed restaurant in 2018. Picture: Andy Brownbill

THE CAMEO THEATRE, BELGRAVE

The early days of the Cameo. Picture: Lost Dandenongs Facebook page

The cinema in more recent years.

THE ROYAL HOTEL, UPPER FERNTREE GULLY

The hotel in more recent years.

PUFFING BILLY RAILWAY

The Puffing Billy Great Train Race in 1986.

The race in 2018. Picture: Ian Currie