BARUNAH PLAINS

Barunah Plains developed into a substantial and prosperous farming complex after acquisition by brothers Thomas and Philip Russell, and their cousin John Simson, in 1851. Originally known as Long Water Hole, the land was a pastoralist run from the late 1830s and leased by James Austin from the late 1840s. During the nineteenth century the pioneering Russell family became extensive landowners in western Victoria and by the 1880s Barunah Plains had developed into a leading merino sheep establishment. A house was constructed on the site in 1867 to designs by local architects Davidson and Henderson, and substantial additions increased the size of the homestead in the boom period of the 1880s. Further additions designed by Geelong architects Tombs and Durran in 1903 contain outstanding Arts and Crafts style interiors. A number of substantial bluestone outbuildings, including a large woolshed, were constructed at the property as it developed into a successful farming complex.

The 20,000 hectare property was reduced to about half its size after soldier settlement subdivision in 1949, however successive generations of the Russell family continued to live at Barunah Plains until 1978. In the 1990s a golf course was added to the property and this operated as a tourist facility for a period of time.

Barunah Plains is a farm complex situated on the Warrambine Creek. It includes a large single storey, bluestone homestead which has been constructed in stages. It consists of a number of protruding bays, turret-like roofs and a return verandah which address lawned areas to the north and east. Exceptional Arts and Crafts detailing can be seen throughout the house, in particular in the west wing and central ballroom, where outstanding examples of stained timber, metal and tile work and stained glass are located. Interior detailing from the boom period has also been retained, including embossed wallpaper in the main entrance and a timber lined coved ceiling in the billiard room.

A number of original outbuildings and structures have been retained. The majority are constructed of bluestone, including a large t-shaped woolshed, stables, dairy and bakehouse, coach house, farm shed, rams' shed, manager's house, cottage and water tanks. A corrugated iron clad engine house contains original electrical power plant machinery.

Remnants of the original formal homestead garden and parkland remain. Early structures include a suspension bridge over the Warrambine Creek.

This site is part of the traditional land of the people of the Kulin Nation.