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SEE CONTACT PAGE FOR OPEN GARDEN DATES - USUALLY ON THE MOTHERS DAY WEEKEND AND A WEKEND IN NOVEMBER ----- NOTE: WE DO NOT OPEN THE HOMESTEAD TO THE PUBLIC

Settled in 1838 by the Livingstone-Learmonth teenage brothers, Ercildoune 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. Letters were written between the young Learmonth boys and their Scottish relatives seeking advice on matters relating to house design. 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.

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 its 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 repalce the floor in the sheep pens inside the shed. This was a challenging project to say the least [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 suggests improvements faster than he 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!!

We hope to begin work on the shearers quarters later this year if time permits.

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 the most amazing places in the country.

On the subject of Wind Farming…..they tried to escape the city cement and steel, only to find the steel has tracked them down even way out in the hills of Ercildoune!