Historic Western District homestead hits the market

One of Victoria’s finest historic rural homesteads is for sale where it is expected to field seven-figure offers. See the details.

The Gringegalgona Homestead, south of Balmoral, is for sale. Pictures: Aaron Jones

A famous and grand rural estate in Victoria’s Western District is on the market, listed for sale for the first time in more than 80 years.

The private owners of the 150-year-old Gringegalgona Homestead are selling the historic property as they prepare to end their time as custodians of the 690sqm sandstone mansion set on more than 22 hectares, about 60km north of Hamilton in the state’s west.

Undoubtedly the centrepiece of the property is the mighty Gringegalgona Homestead, which offers four large formal rooms, as well as six large bedrooms and two bathrooms, all with 3.7m ceilings and views across the surrounding garden and to the Dundas Ranges, accessed via the grand staircase.

Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property Specialists selling agent Dominic Romeo said the mansion was beautifully presented and in exceptional structural condition, retaining all the classical hallmarks of the grand mid-Victorian Italianate architectural style.

“As an agent specialising in historic houses throughout Victoria and Tasmania, I see some wonderful country houses. Gringegalgona is one of the finest in many respects,” Mr Romeo said.

The two-storey Gringegalgona Homestead.

“Not only is it architecturally and historically important but it is also first and foremost a much loved family home.

“The current owners have shared with me many wonderful stories and memories about the house and family life at Gringegalgona. It is these stories and the ones passed down by previous owners that are important and add soul to a house – you cannot put a price on this.”

Offers are expected to be about $2-2.2 million for the famed property, which is located in the Gringegalgona district, a locality home to 44 people according to the 2021 Census.

The origins of the Gringegalgona Homestead date back to the 19th century when Simeon Cadden first took up the vast pastoral run which spanned more than 36,400 hectares at the time.

But it wasn’t until 1861 that Duncan Robertson, a successful Western District pastoralist, purchased the run, which then covered 11,330 hectares.

Gringegalgona Homestead is set on about 22ha in Victoria’s west.

Seven years later Mr Robertson opened tenders to build his new homestead and in 1873-74, commissioning William Thomas Gore from South Australia to replace Cadden’s original homestead, paving the way for the construction of the sandstone mansion at a cost of 6000 pounds.

Throughout the years the Gringegalgona property reduced in size and by 1919 May Robertson secured the homestead block at 785 hectares for a sum of 9200 pounds.

The current owners’ family purchased the property in 1940 and during the 1960s, the homestead block was reduced to the current 22 hectares and has remained a private family home ever since.

At Gringegalgona a striking main entrance door with elegant sidelights and fanlights leads to an 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 floorboards.

Inside the Gringegalgona Homestead.

Inside the Gringegalgona Homestead.

Inside the Gringegalgona Homestead.

Inside the Gringegalgona Homestead.

Inside the Gringegalgona Homestead.

Further towards the rear 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 1920s and is now a huge fully serviced modern country kitchen and casual family dining area.

Outside the symmetrical front facade of the Gringegalgona Homestead includes locally quarried freestone, quoin masonry, Corinthian veranda posts and the symbolic stone ring representing the house and garden.

Mature English deciduous trees, expansive lawns, hedging, flower beds, fruit trees and red gums feature in the garden, while the front lawn includes the only known example of three lawn turning circles in Victoria.

The property also comprises Bryan’s Creek frontage, fenced livestock paddocks and two dams along with 300 sqm stone stables, coach house, equipment rooms and hay loft as outbuildings.