Barwon Park Mansion, Winchelsea
“The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home,” Thomas Austin
Rabbits!
Thomas’s fondness for rabbit hunting led to rabbits in plague proportions across Australia and the building of the Rabbit-Proof Fence across Western Australia between 1901 and 1907 to stop the spread of rabbits into the state from the eastern states. Thomas was a member of the Acclimatization Society of Victoria. The society introduced non-native animals and plants to the growing colony – as a member, Thomas also brought in blackbirds and partridges.
Thomas Austin and his wife Elizabeth built the lavish 42-room mansion in 1871. He died just six months after it was completed, but Elizabeth lived at Barwon Park until her death in 1910 and became a noted philanthropist. One of her biggest accomplishments was funding the Hospital for Incurables (later the Austin Hospital) in Heidelberg.
National Trust
In 1912 the house was sold Batson family, who later bequeathed it to the National Trust. At the time of the bequest, while the house was still virtually an intact relic, it had fallen into serious disrepair, and much of the furniture, artworks, and silverware had been sold off to provide an income for the two sisters and one brother left in the house. The National Trust has since repaired the mansion and fitted it out with furniture that had been part of the house – or of the time.
The Grand Staircase
The staircase was the first of its kind in Australia – being that it led directly up the centre of the hall and then branched left and right… rather than being on the side of the hall, as was the norm. And while it does look exactly like the one at Werribee Mansion – it was built three years prior to Werribee Mansion. Thus, it was the Austins to introduce the style to Australia. It was also built which much wider steps than normal to allow the ladies to descend the staircase gracefully and make a ‘grand entrance.
Address:
Barwon Park Mansion: 105 Inverleigh Road, Winchelsea 3241 VICOpen:
Open Wednesday and Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm. Tours run at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Group tours are available by appointment. A Virtual Reality headset is available for mobility-impaired visitors courtesy of the State Trustees Australia Foundation.Cost:
National Trust members: Free Adult: $10 Concession: $7 Child: $4 Family (2 adults + 2 children): $20
