Local family snap up historic central Victorian rural estate

A 145-year-old farm, set on 155ha with an iconic Georgian homestead, has been sold in a recent eight-figure deal.

A historic central Victorian homestead and cattle farm, steeped in more than 140 years of history, have been snapped up in an eight-figure deal with a local farming family.

The Kudelka family have sold the 155ha premier rural estate, known as St Fillan Farm, located in the famed Murrindindi Shire about 24km northeast of Healesville at Narbethong.

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

It is understood a central Victorian farming family has purchased the property, adding to their existing farming interests in the region after the Kudelka family listed the property for sale in November 2023.

The Kudelka family have sold its 155ha St Fillan Farm, at Narbethong.

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

The value of the transaction remains undisclosed. The property was on the market expecting offers worth $15 million-plus.

“We had a relatively wide variation of buyers, but settled on a local family who already are working with Angus beef production, and will continue with the same, we understand,” vendor Michael Kudelka said.

The Kudelka family had owned the historic property for about 25 years, establishing their St Fillan AgCo Black Angus breeding herd and restoring the formerly rundown four-bedroom Georgian homestead to its current standing.

Inside the homestead new accommodation spaces were designed by late interior decorator Stuart Rattle, while being surrounded by manicured gardens, inspired by Baron von Mueller parklands, and accessed via a sealed driveway bound by an avenue of circa-1880 European trees.

“We have extensive Angus stud genetics anchored by our matriarchal lines of Texas Undine and Texas Pride who are two of the best female lines available in Australia,” Mr Kudelka said.

St Fillan Farm also has 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.

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

“We will continue to work in agribusiness which I have for over 25 years, and will continue also with high-end Angus genetics in the future, possibly on another farm, or farm development either locally or interstate.”

Regenerative agriculture and sustainability were also key at St Fillan Farm 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.

There was also abundant natural water supply via extensive frontage to Stony, Bullyard and Dom Dom Creeks, natural catchment dams and expansive lake with 105ML water entitlement.

The property also offered 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.

Elders Real Estate agents Nick Myer, Henry Mackinnon and Bruce Elliot handled the sale of the St Fillan Farm, while a clearing sale was held by Elders last month.