On our last trip to Melbourne, the kids asked if we could have a holiday that didn’t include any animal attractions, museums or theatre. Initially, I was a little taken aback because these three things usually populate our itinerary. Still, I agreed and then quietly giggled to myself for what I had in store: mansions! Yes, I decided to schedule a number of our days for visits to historic mansions.
Werribee Park Mansion with Kids
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At the top of my list to visit was Werribee Park Mansion. Back when I was a kid, I spent countless days exploring the mansion as my dad would event his horses here. Whilst he was busy grooming his ponies, I was running through the numerous rooms of the mansion trying to find as many weird things as I could. One of my brothers was always looking out for the elephant foot stool (absolutely unethical these days, but it was a sign of wealth back in the mansion’s heyday) whilst I was sure that if I was quiet enough, I might spot a ghost.
A Quick Overview of the Mansion’s History
The Chirnside Family
Werribee Park Mansion was built between 1874 and 1877 by brothers Thomas and Andrew Chirnside. It was designed by architect Mr. James H. Fox in the Renaissance Revival style and built using large basalt and sandstone blocks.
Thomas Chirnside arrived in Australia in 1838, leaving Scotland to make his fortune, and that he did. Investing in stock and land, Thomas quickly built his wealth, and in 1841, his brother came to Australia to join him in creating what was to become their pastoral empire.
From what I have read, a love triangle formed between Thomas, Andrew and their first cousin Mary Begbie. Thomas travelled to Scotland in 1845 and fell in love with Mary. When her parents refused his request to marry Mary, he returned to Australia. Andrew then decided to visit Scotland. Before he left, Thomas requested that Andrew bring Mary back to Australia in any way he could. Let’s just say that Andrew obliged, returning to Australia in 1852 with his new wife, Mary!
Werribee Park Mansion was built for Mary. It was built to showcase the family’s wealth and Andrew, Mary, and their three youngest children lived here. Initially, it had around 60 rooms. Thomas never married and took up residence in Point Cook until his final years, when he moved into the Mansion with his brother and Mary.
Thomas took his own life in 1887, found dead in the Mansion’s laundry with a shotgun beside him. Andrew died in 1890 from heart failure. Thomas’ ghost is supposedly said to haunt the mansion.
Mary continued to live in Werribee Park Mansion until 1908. Sadly, she died quite tragically with her hair catching alight from a bedside candle.
Andrew’s two youngest sons, George and John Percy, took over the property. George oversaw the Mansion and the surrounding land, but was unable to maintain the profits his father and uncle had enjoyed. The Mansion and property were sold to Philip Lock in 1922, and a year after that to the Roman Catholic Bishops of Australia.
Corpus Christi College
Arriving in Australia in 1913, Melbourne Archbishop Daniel Mannix had a vision to create an Australian National Seminary in the style of St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, back in Ireland. Ultimately, the Holy See didn’t share the vision to create a nationalised seminary, instead supporting provincial and diocesan seminaries.
In December 1922, Werribee Park Mansion was purchased with the idea of adapting in into Corpus Christi College. It opened on 3 March 1923, with the first students arriving on 19 March 1923.
The Mansion quickly became a little squishy for the rising enrolments, so in 1925 work began on St Joseph’s Wing, and by 1937, even more extensions were necessary. By 1954 the Mansion had increased to 81,500 square feet and was home to 131 students. Requiring even more space, Corpus Christi College was opened in Glen Waverley rather than further increase the Mansion.
Significant additions to Werribee Park Mansion during the Catholic Church’s occupation included the St Joseph’s wing, a library, the refectory, and the theatre wing. Some imitative details were used externally to unite the early and modern work.
The 1960s brought the Second Vatican Council, a decline in student enrollment, and a desire by the board running the seminary to relocate to a space adjacent to a secular university. In 1973, Corpus Christi Werribee closed its doors.
A Return to Glory
The Victorian Government purchased Werribee Park Mansion and the remaining
400 hectares in 1973 and set about restoring the property.
In 1977, the Mansion opened to the public. Parks Victoria is now the proud custodian of the property and the Mansion.
At this point, Werribee Park had been divided into separate sections. The northern section was given to the Zoological Board of Victoria, who, in 1983, developed Werribee Open Range Zoo. A year later, the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre was established on a separate part of the property. In 1986, six acres were developed as the Victorian State Rose Garden, which today boasts over 5,000 locally and internationally bred roses.
Visiting Werribee Park Mansion
Weribee Park Mansion is open almost every day of the year. The Mansion’s gardens and rose garden are free to visit and perfect for a family picnic. If you are keen to explore inside the mansion, it will currently cost you around $50.00 for a family of four.
All five of us grabbed the audio tour headsets at the ticket booth. It was easy to use and allowed us to explore each room at our own pace. The kids found it fascinating to observe what the norm was during the Victorian era for the elite set. A number of the Chirnside family’s items, including clothing and furniture, remain on display.
Exploring Werribee Park Mansion
Werribee Mansion is awe-inspiring. It features a two-storey central block with a dominating tower. The interior still boasts some of the original furniture from the Chirnside Family’s occupancy of this mansion in Werribee. The kids will enjoy exploring the different rooms and spotting the unique features, while the history buffs in the family will find the tongue-and-groove Kauri pine floors with their parquet borders fascinating.
The Hall
Walking into the hallway, you will be wowed by the space and symmetry. Don’t be fooled, two sets of the polished blackwood doors are false!
Drawing Room
The Drawing Room has been brought back to the era of the Chirnside Family, with the blue silk damask fabric upholstery reproduced from a surviving sample found hidden in this conversation chair. The chandelier is original and was restored in London.
The Kitchen
Like any house, the kitchen is always a hive of activity. This was no different during the Chirnside Family’s time; it would have been the centre of servant activity, where all meals were prepared. Much of the produce used in the kitchen was sourced from the estate.
Larder
This is the type of food store I want at my place. Food was purchased in bulk and stored in large bins along the sides of the larder. Staples would have included tea, flour, and oats.
Silver Safe
Silver was a symbol of wealth – it was costly. As such, silver was securely stored in the silver safe. The collection found at Werribee Mansion was owned initially by the Chirnside Family and is on loan from The Vizard Foundation and Stephen Vizard.
Morning Room
During Victorian times, the morning room was a space that typically faced the morning sun, was brightly lit and was used predominantly by the lady of the house. It would have been a space where Mary ate breakfast, saw to her correspondence, and engaged in light social calls. You will note the lighter tone of the timber trim in this space compared to other rooms throughout the Mansion.
Library
It comes as no surprise that the library was dedicated to books. It was viewed as a space for intellectual pursuits. Note the decorative deer figures in this original gasolier (light fixture providing light using gas).
Main Bedroom
From this window each morning, Mary Chirnside would discuss horticultural matters with the gardeners.
Dressing Room
In Victorian times, the wealthy had rooms dedicated to dressing and undressing. They were almost always adjacent to the bedroom and provided a space for personal grooming.
Werribee Park Mansion’s dressing room is an early example of an ensuite bathroom, with hot and cold running water and a flushing toilet. This was quite opulent for the period.
Red Deer
Prince Albert donated a herd of deer from his red deer herd at Windsor Great Park to the Chirnside Family.
Ferguson and Urie Glass Windows
The central acid-etched glass window depicts a range of animals introduced for hunting. The central stag is copied from the Victorian artwork ‘Red Deer of Chillingham’ (1869) by Sir Edwin Landseer. The side windows depict St Andrew, representing Scotland, and St George, representing England.
Catholic Church Area
During the Church’s occupation, ornamentation was stripped from some rooms to be suitable for the clergy.
Billard Room
When I was a kid, I found this room awe-inspiring. These days, I find it a little macabre due to the numerous hunting trophies that include big cats, a bear and even the family’s pet spaniel. My brother loved the elephant’s foot the best.
Our family continuously debate whether one of the ball’s is pink or red. Have a look and report back.
The Nursery
The children’s room is more than a bedroom, with an array of playthings to keep them amused.
VR Tour of the Mansion
If you can’t get to Weribee Park Mansion anytime soon, you might enjoy the virtual tour, which takes you through the entire floor plan, room by room.
Head across to the Werribee Park Mansion VR Tour.
Victoria State Rose Garden
The Victoria State Rose Garden is spectacular and will assault many of your senses, especially your sense of smell. It’s free and worth a wander. With over 5,000 roses on display, the garden had previously won the prestigious World Federation of Rose Societies Award for Garden Excellence.
The best time to visit is from November to April, although the roses begin blooming in October and continue until May.
Getting to Werribee Park Mansion
Gate 2, K Road, Werribee, VIC 3030.
Werribee Park is 35 km west of Melbourne city. Travel along the Princes Fwy towards Geelong and exit at Duncans Rd (C108), then turn onto K Road and use Gate 2.
The car park is located outside the Victoria State Rose Garden, 300m from the Mansion.
Visiting Werribee Open Range Zoo
If you have time, make sure to head across to Werribee Open Range Zoo, which is right next door.