Werribee Park
Werribee Park Mansion is an opulent historic home between the cities of Melbourne and Geelong. Built between 1874 and 1877 by prominent pastoralist brothers Thomas and Andrew Chirnside, this magnificent Italianate-style mansion is testament to the success and status of pastoralists like them in Victorian-era Australia.The opulent taste of the Chirnside family is highlighted with an impressive selection of original decor, particularly the crystal chandeliers, giant gilt-framed mirrors and patterned Minton tiled flooring in the entrance area and upstairs balcony, all of which are on display in public access areas.
The mansion's 10 hectares of majestic formal gardens include the internationally recognised Victoria State Rose Garden, a contemporary sculpture walk, tranquil riverine and original farmyard. Entry fees apply; specialised tours available. Pt Cooke Marine Sanctuary, Cheetham Wetlands, Jawbone Marine Sanctuary and Point Cook Coastal Park are also close by.
Location: K Road, Werribee. Contact: 13 19 63.
Werribee Park Mansion was built by pastoralists Thomas and Andrew Chirnside between 1874 and 1877 in the Italianate style. Its residential and working buildings supported a large farm workforce. The rooms open to the public include the billiard room, the main bedrooms, the reception rooms and part of the kitchen.
In 1887 Thomas Chirnside died; his brother Andrew Spencer Chirnside then took over the running of the Werribee and all the holdings along with his sons. When Andrew Chirnside died in 1890 of heart disease, his jewellery and other personal items were left to his wife, Mary Chirnside (nee Begbie), for the term of her life and then to his sons, George Thomas Chirnside and John Percy Chirnside. In addition, Andrew Chirnside bequeathed to his wife a legacy of £10,000, and also an annuity of £5000 during her life to be paid out to her every six months.
Lastly, Andrew Chirnside devised to his sons all his interest in the Werribee Park and Point Cook Estates and all the other property of the partnership firm of Andrew Chirnside & Sons. One son, George Chirnside, inherited Werribee Park Mansion and surrounding lands while the younger brother, John Percy, inherited the rocky stone land above the railway line. Not surprisingly, this led to ill feelings, and when Percy purchased land and had Hamilton build "The Manor" in 1895-1896, George took out a court order to prevent Percy from using the word "Werribee" when naming his new mansion.
From 1923 to 1973, Werribee Park Mansion was a Catholic seminary, Corpus Christi College. The wings which are now the Mansion Hotel (above) were added during that period.
Werribee Park Mansion has appeared in many television series and feature films. Scenes that were set in England in the 1996 television series The Genie From Down Under were shot at the mansion. Most rooms in the house were used for an American-based film called The Pirate Movie (1982), starring Kristy McNichol and Christopher Atkins from The Blue Lagoon. The mansion was also used in the 1976 film The Devil's Playground.
In December 2007, the Werribee Park Mansion hosted two Elton John concerts as part of his Rocket Man Solo Tour.
Every year the Werribee Mansion Grounds are used to host the Werribee Christmas Carols event, the harvest festival, and the polo championships.
