Just outside of Melbourne, there is the Werribee Mansion, which we visited. It required some driving, but that was not a problem given that we were together with our cousins who had a large car.
The Werribee Mansion is a magnificent historic estate located outside of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Australia's 19th-century pastoralists and is a major attraction. We left around mid-morning, and after a short ride, we got to the pleasant and quiet estate.
The mansion was built between 1874 and 1877 for the Scottish-born pastoralist brothers, Thomas and Andrew Chirnside. It is an impressive example of Italianate Renaissance Revival architecture, featuring a symmetrical two-storey central block, a dominant tower, and an arcade on three sides. I took the above shots just when we arrived, but we opted to visit the gardens first, before heading inside.
Surrounding the mansion are ten hectares of stunning formal gardens designed by W. R. Guilfoyle, the curator of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. They feature a decorative lake, a grotto, and vast manicured lawns perfect for a picnic. Additionally, adjacent to the mansion grounds, there is the Victoria State Rose Garden. This garden is an international award-winner, featuring over 5,000 roses. The best time to see the roses is typically from November to April. Alas, when we were there, the roses were not in bloom, as winter has just ended.
And then finally we explored the interior. We explored the beautifully restored interiors of the 60-room mansion, and together with an audio tour, we learned about the Chirnside family and the servants who ran the estate.
Overall, this was an interesting place to visit, and I am glad that we went.
