Burrumbeet's Ercildoune Homestead expectations trimmed to $3.5 million

Jonathan ChancellorSeptember 9, 2013

Ercildoune Homestead, the Victorian property has been listed with reduced $3.5 million expectations having been listed earlier this year with $4 million-plus hopes.

The restored heritage-listed, Scottish baronial-style Burrumbeet property dates back to 1838 when built by brothers Thomas and Somerville Learmonth.

The granite manor surrounded by traditional English gardens, 80 hectares of farming land and restored farm cottages including stables and shearers’ quarters, last traded in 1999 when bought by melbourne legal identity John Dever and his wife Christine.

Its other owners have included pastoralist and later British MP Sir Samuel Wilson and Sir Alan Currie, a former chairman of the Victorian Racing Club who in 1930 innovated with the installation of a hydro-electric power scheme drawing on the natural spring and interconnected lakes. The series of waterways was where Sir Samuel Wilson developed his fish hatchery, believed to be one of the first trout hatcheries in Victoria.

Sir Samuel Wilson was the owner of the property from 1873 to 1920 and Sir Alan Currie lived at the property from 1920 until his death in 1942. Lady Currie continued to live there until her death in 1962.

Set on 73 hectares about 30 kilometres west of Ballarat, the two-storey homestead at 973 Ercildoune Road has nine bedrooms, and features ballrooms and a library.

There's also a self-contained three-bedroom residence in the former maid's quarters along with numerous outbuildings.

It was listed for May auction through Peter Hawkins, of Pat Rice & Hawkins, in conjunction with Charles Stewart.

Jonathan Chancellor

Jonathan Chancellor is one of Australia's most respected property journalists, having been at the top of the game since the early 1980s. Jonathan co-founded the property industry website Property Observer and has written for national and international publications.

Editor's Picks

Multi-tower precinct planned for South Brisbane riverfront
First look: Morris Property Group reveals 10th Broadbeach apartment development, Maison Broadbeach
First home buyers jump at Victoriana apartments on Melbourne's Albert Park
Sekisui House Australia approved for Dawn, the latest stage at $5 billion Melrose Park masterplan
Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown