Lemongum Cottage, 1860
History
Lemongum Cottage is nestled on Banongill Station, Skipton, in the heart of Victoria’s Goldfields region. A working sheep and cropping farm, Banongill is a testament to Australia’s wool industry. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it was a bustling sheep station, employing up to sixty people. Small stone huts dotted through the paddocks first served as accommodation for shepherds. A significant operation, Banongill Station even had its own school and sports teams.
Banongill’s stately homestead, home to your hosts the Bingham family, was built in 1905 for the Fairbairn family, replacing the original bluestone cottage built in 1853. The 87m long, terracotta-coloured homestead is an impressive, and important example of Australian Federation architecture.
In 2020, fifth generation farmers, Dan and Jill Bingham became Banongill’s new custodians, and have worked to restore the homestead, cottage, and 15 acres of heritage gardens. Designed by William Guilfoyle, the gardens feature sweeping lawns, date palms, drifts of daffodils, orchards, and a romantic wisteria walk.
Just near the main homestead sits Lemongum, a charming circa 1860s cottage, reimagined as an exceptional luxury farm stay experience. Perched above Mt Emu Creek, Lemongum is a place to relax and unwind in peaceful surrounds, offering guests the ultimate escape to the country.
Accommodation
With interior design by Belle Hemming Bright, Lemongum Cottage is simply stunning throughout, with inspiration drawn from the hues of the surrounding gardens and creek. A colour palette of soft greens and blues, original artworks, natural textures, and vintage curios collected from Jill’s travels make each room a unique experience in itself.
The cottage sleeps 4 guests, with two queen bedrooms. With views across the garden to the creek, bedroom one has a romantic, floral theme, and the second bedroom is a restful deep moss green, the perfect space to relax with a good book. Both feature stunning bespoke bedheads and luxurious Cultiver linens.
Tiled with bluestone to reflect the stone throughout the garden, the bathroom has a spacious walk-in shower and a beautiful antique clawfoot bath with tin privacy screen, sourced from the homestead. Positioned to take in views of the majestic lemon-scented gum tree, enjoy long soaks with a glass of wine.
The farmhouse kitchen features timber bench tops made from old floors of the shearers quarters, and is equipped with everything you need to cook up a storm, including a gourmet English cooker.
Gather for meals or cocktails in the dining room, styled with antique furniture and vintage pieces, and take in the view of the river red gums along the creek.
The spacious lounge room is a lovely place to spend time during all seasons. In the cooler months, curl up around the cosy wood fire, and in summertime, open the French doors onto the verandah, enjoy the fresh scent of lemon eucalpytus, and listen to the kookaburras. There are board games and a selection of beautiful books, some of which feature the garden at Banongill. If you need, the cottage has WiFi, and a Bose bluetooth speaker to play your favourite music.
Outside, relax on the verandah with outdoor chairs and BBQ - and in the evenings, gather round the fire pit area, with plenty of firewood provided. Wander down to Mt Emu creek and picnic by the water, or try your luck fishing. As dusk, spot the platypus that often appear in front of the cottage, and soak up the serenity of Australian country life at its finest.
“We had an incredible stay at Lemongum Cottage. We all fell in love with the stunning surroundings, and beautifully decorated home. The perfect place to connect with nature, friends, and just relax, stargazing at night around the firepit. Jill was also a fantastic host. We will definitely be back!”
Special Features
Full Kitchen
Established Gardens
Clawfoot Bath
Fire Pit
Things To Do
Skipton, in Victoria’s Western District, is just two hours from Melbourne’s CBD. The region offers beautiful natural landscapes, and as one of the State’s oldest townships, dating to 1839, Skipton holds a rich history.
The Ballarat–Skipton Rail Trail, where scenic views and historic landmarks such as Nimmons Bridge, and the townships of Smythesdale, Scarsdale, and Linton along the way, make this an enjoyable cycling or walking adventure.
Your accommodation is central to exploring other renowned regions of Victoria, including the Grampians, Great Ocean Road, and the Pyrenees wine region. And it’s an easy day trip to Ballarat, just 45 minutes away,
Alternatively, you may wish to bring everything you need and stay to make the most of your surrounds. Take one of the scenic walks along the creek, stroll through the homestead gardens, and play tennis.
All images by Hannah Puechmarin
