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Barwon Park Mansion & Garden

Location 105 Inverleigh - Winchelsea Road,, WINCHELSEA VIC 3241 - Property No B0064 File Number B0064 Level State

[1/4] B0064 Barwon Park [2/4] B0064 Barwon Park [3/4] B0064 Barwon Park [4/4] B0064 Barwon Park

Statement of Significance

The mansion house, Barwon Park was built of basalt for prominent Western District squatter Thomas Austin and completed in 1869. Architects Davidson and Henderson of Geelong designed the 42 room Italianate mansion and supervised construction on a sub-contract basis at a cost of c.10,000 pounds. The square and utilitarian two storey building is enhanced by a distinctive cast iron verandah, elaborate entry hallway, staircase and high quality crafted interior.
Barwon Park when completed in 1869 was the finest and most celebrated mansion house in western Victoria, having established the reputation of architects Davidson and Henderson. It survives as perhaps the most notable homestead designed by this prolific practice. At Barwon Park, Thomas Austin, royal host, public figure, eminent pastoralist and leader of the Acclimatisation Society, was the first to introduce rabbits to Australia, an achievement now universally condemned.
Barwon Park was bequeathed to the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) in 1975 and is being systematically restored..
Classified: 05/11/1964
File note 15/08/2012: G13047 (Barwon Park Garden) amalgamated & filed with B0064