Kudelka family to sell historic Victorian rural estate, St Fillan Farm

A 143-year-old luxury farm, set on 155ha, has been listed for sale where it is expected to receive offers in the vicinity of $20 million.

A historic rural Victorian homestead and cattle farm, steeped in more than 140 years of history, has hit the market in one of the most coveted listings so far this spring.

Offers in the vicinity of $20 million are expected for the 155ha premier rural estate, known as St Fillan Farm, located in the famed Murrindindi Shire, about 24km northeast of Healesville.

The striking property was founded in 1880 and originally served as the private residence of the Victorian premier and land baron Sir James Munro.

However, it was an ageing St Fillan Farm that caught the eye of Michael Kudelka 25 years ago, who at the time was looking to expand from the family property a few miles away near Buxton.

“It looked like it hadn’t been touched since the 1950s, but we saw the potential,” Michael said.

“My family has been in the region since the 1960s and so I had kept an eye on St Fillan Farm.

“Then when I wanted to branch out on my own, I drove up the driveway and negotiated a sale.”

The Kudelka family has listed its 155ha St Fillan Farm for sale.

Since taking the reins of the property, Michael and wife Rebecca have transformed St Fillan into the prized cattle farm that stands today.

While raising a family of boys, they restored the four-bedroom Georgian homestead to its rightful glory and created new accommodation spaces, designed by late interior decorator Stuart Rattle, with whom Michael worked on numerous projects.

The striking homestead is set among manicured gardens, inspired by Baron von Mueller parklands, and is accessed via a sealed driveway bound by an avenue of circa-1880 European trees.

The four-bedroom Georgian homestead is the centrepiece of St Fillan Farm.

An in-ground swimming pool, sauna, synthetic grass floodlit tennis court and extensive garaging, alongside two guesthouses and a five-bedroom, two-bathroom manager’s residence add to St Fillan Farms’ allure.

“It is a truly spectacular property and an amazing place,” Michael said.

“We have spared no expense creating a modern functional, yet classically elegant residence. Stuart Rattle at his finest”

Aside from the stunning homestead, the Kudelka family’s estate is also home to their St Fillan AgCo Black Angus breeding herd, which is underpinned by two exceptional Texas Angus matriarchs, the bloodlines of which have sold more than $1 million worth of bulls alone.

Michael Kudelka has owned and run the St Fillan Farm alongside wife Rebecca for 25 years.

Regenerative agriculture and sustainability are also key at the property with its 50 paddocks grazed on a 48-hour rotation alongside the implementation of an extensive carbon sequestration program, multi-species pastures and soil improvements.

“We have also planted hundreds of feature trees and created extensive wildlife corridors. The birdlife at the property has increased tenfold since we started,” Michael said.

“We have also focused on soil health and making sure we have that quality grass coverage.

“I think agriculture is the next big thing and so we want to grow. It is time to move onwards to bigger projects and expand our operations to a more broadacre property.

“It has been a labour of love, but we hope the next owners will appreciate what we have done here and continue on with our work.”

St Fillan Farm is for sale via Elders Real Estate through an expressions of interest campaign closing December 6 at 4pm.