Back to search results »

Back to search page »

Barunah Plains Homestead Outbuildings and Garden

Location Hamilton Highway, Hesse, via Inverleigh WINGEEL, Golden Plains Shire Level Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/3] National Estate Register, [2/3] National Estate Register, [3/3] National Estate Register,

Statement of Significance

National Estate Register:
Barunah Plains is a late nineteenth century homestead development and is important for exhibiting a rich array
of cultural features as follows: a collection of bluestone buildings including the homestead and outbuildings;
and a homestead garden and parkland with a large attractively crafted timber gate, a timber pedestrian bridge,
shrubberies, a sunken croquet lawn, a rose garden and mature trees (Criterion A.3).
Barunah Plains has a strong and long association with the grazing history of the western district, and thus with
a major chapter of the history of Victoria (Criterion A.4).
The range of structures on the property, including bakery, laundry, cottages, implement shed, stables, coach
house, woolshed and ram building, is important for the way it reflects a functioning western district sheep
property founded in the nineteenth century. Additionally, the ram shed and the gate providing entry to the
garden and park are unusual features. The garden is also important as an example of the Gardenesque
design style, exhibiting the following style characteristics: a dominance of shrubberies with minimal lawn area;
use of gravel paths; and use of trees with distinctive form as features (Criterion B.2).
Barunah Plains is important for technical and creative excellence exhibited in the evolved form of the
bluestone house, the collection of substantial bluestone outbuildings, and in the 1890s garden design layout
(Criterion F.1).
National Trust:
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Barunah Plains (formerly Long Water Holes), commenced as a pastoral run in the late 1830s, acquired by the
Russell family in 1851, the homestead erected in 1866-67 and extended in 1886 with development of the
garden presumed to relate to the 1860s-80s, and retained in Russell family ownership for almost 130 years, is
of statewide cultural significance:
- historically, as a fine example of a nineteenth century homestead, exemplifying the transition from the earliest
stone-built homesteads of the 1860s to the more grandiose homesteads of the 1870s-80s; major constituent
elements include the homestead, conservatory, coach-house and stables, manager's residence, shearing
shed, implement shed, bakehouse, ram shed and other outbuildings, entry drive, garden and dry stone walling;
- historically, for its integral links with the pioneering Russell family of the Western District; the family owned
Barunah Plains for 127 years and the fabric of the property reflects all phases of their occupation; the family
ownership also links the property with other Russell family properties such as Golfhill, Mawallock, Carngham
and Wurrook and through early owner John Simson it is also linked with Trawalla - these links have a great
ability to demonstrate traditional Scottish kinship loyalties and exemplify a major characteristic of the social
and cultural history of the Western District;
- for its retention of design elements of a mid to late nineteenth century homestead garden; including elevated
site overlooking a creek, drive and path layout, spatial arrangement of buildings and services, fencing and
gates, a balance between productive, leisure and horticultural pursuits, and the contrast between homestead
garden and open farmland;
- for its retention of planting from the mid nineteenth to early twentieth century, including specimen trees,
shelter belt plantings and parkland, shrubberies, flower beds and lawn areas (both formal - as in the croquet
lawn - and informal); and
- aesthetically, for the contrast between the open volcanic plains and the oasis of the garden around the
homestead nestled into a bend in the Warrambine Creek, for the maturity of the garden landscaping, and as
the setting for a fine mid-nineteenth century homestead.
[The architectural significance of Barunah Plains has not been re-assessed as part of this report.]
EXISTING DESIGNATIONS
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
9 June 1960: Barunah Plains Homestead classified (level 'D') [FN1126]
1980: Peter Watts, 'Historic Gardens in Victoria', Barunah Plains ranked 'of state significance' and 'Category 1'
Barunah Plains - classified 2/12/96
Australian Heritage Commission
Not assessed for the Register of the National Estate
Heritage Victoria
Not assessed for the Victorian Heritage Register
Shire of Golden Plains
Not assessed for possible scheduling in the planning scheme
National Trust (Homestead):
Some places were classified by the National Trust in the early years without a citation being prepared. These
are being gradually reviewed and citations are being prepared. Please contact the National Trust for more
information regarding the significance of this place.
Class: Local