Back to search results »

Back to search page »

WHANGAREI, TOOMUC VALLEY ORCHARD

Other Name House, Packing Shed, LATER SEVEN OAKS Location 667 TOOMUC VALLEY ROAD, PAKENHAM UPPER, CARDINIA SHIRE Level Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/2] Whangarei - Toomuc Valley [2/2] Whangarei - Toomuc Valley

Statement of Significance

Developed from the 1880s, Whangarei and the Toomuc Valley Orchard complex are significant to the Cardinia Shire because they provide, more than any other site in the shire, strong evidence of the development of orcharding. The property has all of the components of a large working commercial orchard, including the main house, manager's house, packing sheds of various ages, large reservoirs, picker housing and terraces in the hillsides where the orchard was once located. There are also sites of previous structures such as the property church and other worker houses.

The components of this complex are also significant for their comparative age and the documentation which survives of the property provides continuing potential to interpret the site historically.

The Toomuc Valley Orchard complex is a strong expression of the lifestyles of important people, such as John Kitchen and Thomas Grant. It is rare as a type (a near complete orchard complex) and still possesses evidence of the design skill used in the laying out of the garden and ornamental lake, and the creation of the two houses.

The garden is of significance to the Cardinia Shire and contributory to house & property.

Regional Significance