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PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT HIRE THE PROPERTY OUT FOR WEDDINGS OR OTHER COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES - GARDEN VISTS MUST BE ONLY ON THE WEEKENDS NOTED BELOW AND IS SUBJECT TO WEATHER - IF THE WEEKEND IS CANCELLED WE WILL NOTE THAT ON THIS WEB SITE ON THE EVENING BEFORE

THE GARDEN IS OPEN ON:

2011 - SUNDAY 20TH NOVEMBER - 10AM - 4PM

2012  - SUNDAY 11th NOVEMBER - 10AM - 4PM

[ERCILDOUNE IS OUR HOME AND AS SUCH THE INSIDE OF THE HOMESTEAD IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - PLEASE RESPECT OUR PRIVACY AND DO NOT REQUEST A 'LOOK'] 

ENTRANCE FEE - $5 PER PERSON - PROCEEDS TO THE BURRUMBEET SOLDIERS HALL AND/OR THE CFA [PENSIONERS AND CHILDREN UNDER 18 - FREE ENTRY]

Ercildoune was settled in 1838 by the Livingstone-Learmonth teenage brothers, and became one of the most famous and widely renowned stations in Australia. The homestead construction is of large granite blocks cut by hand from the quarry on the property. The Learmonths built almost all of the various outbuildings including the Gothic styled Managers House.

Sir Samuel Wilson oversaw the construction of the 1 acre walled garden. And in the 1920's Sir Alan Currie made further additions to outside parts, such as the servants quarters, adding a car garage to the stables and importantly the Hydro Electricity system which is still largely intact albeit not in working order.

The rams bred at Ercildoune became the basis for many of the best runs in the country and sale documents show huge prices being paid for Ercildoune rams throughout the width and breadth of the country. In 1873 when the Livingstone-Learmonths returned to Scotland after losing a well documented court action, Ercildoune was sold to Sir Samuel Wilson. The sale price was reputed to be 236,000 pounds. The homestead portion was leased to Dame Nellie Melba whilst the Wilson Estate was being wound up.

Sir Alan Currie purchased the property from the Estate of Sir Samuel Wilson in 1921. Thereafter it welcomed many famous visitors, including the Duke of Gloucester, who stayed there during his visit to Victoria in 1934. After Sir Alan Currie died, Lady Currie carried on the property, as well as she was able, until she passed away. During her later years the property fell into disrepair and much of the fabric of the place was 'lost' in a variety of ways, some due to nature some due to activity other than natural!

John and Christine Dever purchased Ercildoune in June 1999. Finding it in a desperate situation requiring immediate and substantial restoration works in that, other than emergency roof works, nothing much had been done for decades. They have now fully restored the homestead ,including the interior, to its lost former glory, and still are undertaking restoration of the many other parts of what was, in effect, a small township. The gardens themselves are now almost totally restored, being replanted and redesigned due almost entirely to Christine's talent in design and colour choices as well as an enormous amount of weeding! With just a dash of John's organisational skill Christine has successfully brought vibrant colour and texture into what is a superb place, even given the 2005-2007 '100 year' drought.

During 2010 repairs have been completed to the original sheep wash at the shearing shed [We also hope to replace the floor in the sheep pens inside the shed however we arel searching for the right timbers and someone who has the skill to do the work as well as it deserves to be done]. The sheep wash rebuilding task was a challenging project and could not have been possible if it wasnt for the discovery of our wonderful bricky from Beaufort. His magical skills are evident throughout the property as John expands his ideas and suggests other 'brick projects' faster than 'Bricky' can finish them!

2010 also saw the construction of a 50m metal arbour planted with Laburnum that will hopefully [Christines wishes] rival Monet's one day!! - she continues to weed every square inch of the massive garden, almost without assistance...

Work on the shearers quarters is in full swing utilising timber recovered from trees that have died or fallen over in the drought. Much is left to be done however the changes are remarkable. We must say thank you to 'Ted' for his efficient use of time and his expertise.

Christine is unable to travel to Melbourne or anywhere else without returning with a 4WD full of plants, whilst John searches EBay for things like anvils and other weird bits and pieces trying to complete the picture of what is and will be soon once again, one of the most amazing places in the country.

On the subject of Wind Farms…..we escaped Melbourne's steel and cement, only to find the steel has tracked us down even way out in the hills of Ercildoune - many many tons of green house gas have been expelled into the atmosphere in order to build these monsters - where is the logic if they have a limited life span AND destroy visual environments and actual habitat?! - as long as some are making profits must be the answer.