Quondong Homestead, 1880
History
Built by English merchant Glenbervie Brown as a country retreat, ‘Quondong’ - the indigenous word for native peach - dates to the 1880s, and is thought to be one of the oldest buildings in the district. With a rich history, Quondong has served as a farmhouse with orchards, a vineyard, and farming including cattle and grain production. At the turn of the 19th century, it changed hands and became a popular guesthouse; and later, a retreat for local young people to develop life skills.
Today, owners and hosts Kait & Marcus Cummins have transformed the property into a luxurious farm stay experience, with guests of all ages in mind. When restoring the homestead, original features were carefully preserved, including the original windows and doors, open fireplaces, polished floors, and soaring ceilings with decorative cornice work.
Surrounding the homestead are extensive gardens and lawns designed by renowned landscape architect Kathleen Murphy, encouraging you to reconnect with nature. Nestled within the serene beauty of Northern Victoria and the Rutherglen wine region, Quondong is a tranquil country escape with all the charm of yesteryear, and the comforts of today.
Accommodation
At the heart of Quondong is the The Homestead, offering spacious, luxury accommodation for up to 17 guests. Children of all ages are welcome, and pets by arrangement. There are four bedrooms with king beds, and one bedroom has an additional single bed. Beds can be split into king singles if required, and all are dressed with quality linens from Rees & Rees Lifestyle Merchants in Wangaratta.
Two modern bathrooms, one with a luxurious freestanding bath, are stocked with local Rich Glen natural bath & body products, and a separate laundry room allows for longer stays.
Additional accommodation is available in The Cottage, with two king, and two queen bedrooms.
A testament to timeless country elegance, the Homestead’s sitting room is a beautiful space to relax in, with a large original fireplace, comfortable armchairs, and a cosy window seat. There’s also a quiet sunroom, perfect for retreat to with a good book.
The fully-equipped farmhouse kitchen has everything you need for whipping up your favourite meals, including a Thermomix and Breville Espresso coffee machine, and help yourself to fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden. Included in your stay is a welcome gift of local produce from Rich Glen Provedore in Yarrawonga, plus a bottle of wine - along with pantry essentials, milk, butter and fresh sourdough bread.
Enjoy gathering for meals each evening in the beautiful formal dining room, or dine al fresco in one of the many outdoor spots surrounding the Homestead, with pizza oven and BBQ.
Designed to be a wholly restorative retreat, Quondong also has a large swimming pool, spa, sauna and ice bath for hot & cold hydrotherapy, and extensive gardens and lawn areas for guests to enjoy, designed by renowned landscape architect Kathleen Murphy. There’s even a secret garden with swings, climbing frame, cubby house, and tree houses for children.
Guests are encouraged to immerse themselves in their surrounds, with plenty of spots outside to unwind, including picturesque views from the shady verandah. Outdoor activities include kayaking, fishing, and cycling, with bikes provided for use during your stay, including two electric bikes.
Exclusive Offer
Book 2+ nights and mention Historic Stays, to receive 10% off standard rates.
“Our stay was nothing short of magical! Both the accommodation and gardens are just stunning. We enjoyed cycling along the bike track, kayaking, swimming, and the kids loved the treehouse, sandpit, and collecting fresh eggs from chook house! We made great use of the outdoor pizza oven and BBQ, and enjoyed fresh produce from the veggie and herb garden. Late evenings were spent around the campfire. A holiday we will never forget. Thank you for a truly wonderful experience. ”
Special Features
Pet Friendly
Family Friendly
Bike Trail
Swimming Pool
Things To Do
A trip to the Rutherglen would be incomplete without visiting the acclaimed wineries and cellar doors in the region, including Pfeiffer Wines, Jones Winery & Vineyard, De Bortoli Estate and Tuileries restaurant, and Morris Wines. Just a short bike ride away from your accommodation are All Saints Estate, with fine dining at Terrace Restaurant, and Campbells Wines - both rich in history, dating back to the late 19th century.
Other dining options nearby include The Pavilion Restaurant at Buller Wines overlooking the vineyard, and in Rutherglen’s historic main street, stop in at Pickled Sisters Cafe, the Victoria Hotel for a gourmet pub meal, Grace Bar & Eatery, and Parker’s Pies for arguably the best handcrafted pies in Australia. Rutherglen also has a 1.5 hour Heritage Walk, taking you past the town’s beautiful period buildings.
A half-hour drive will see you at Yarrawonga and Lake Mulwala. Play golf at Black Bull Golf Course or Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, and the beautiful Rich Glen Provedore for local produce and olive oil.
And take a walk along the riverside track through Wahgunyah to Corowa, where you can enjoy coffee, breakfast or treats from Corowa Distilling Co., an award-winning whisky and chocolate factory.
