Werribee Park Mansion, Victoria

Today is my day off, yay!! So, why not go travel since I have myki pass. With myki pass, i can take unlimited ride on any bus-any tram-any train within zone 1 and 2. Wohoooo~

11:00 with my new shoes that i bought from boxing day, I take 406 bus toward Footscray Station. As i mention on the post title, my plan today is visiting Werribee Park Mansion.

How to get there?
Doesn't matter where you live or stay, just go to nearest train station and take Werribee Line toward Werribee Station, it's green color on the victorian train network map. From Werribee Station, just take a bus number 439 toward Werribee South and stop at Werribee Park Mansion.


So basically, the mansion is located inside the Werribee Park. The park itself is free to enter, but to enter the mansion you got to pay 10$ ticket. Worth or not? Well, if this the first time you visit a mansion, just try and have a look won't be hurt i guess. And just thinking of a donation, you know, an old mansion is really need a good maintenance to keep the beauty, such as roof leaks, cleaning, floor and wall repair.

12:20 just arrived at Werribee Station, but next bus on schedule will be 13:02, so waiting la...
13:02 the bus is coming, and just about 10-15minutes ride, you will be arrive at Werribee Park Mansion.


History of Werribee Park?
This area that now known as Werribee Park was first occupied by three clans "The Woirorung", "The Wathaurung", and "The Bunurong". (I guess they are an aboriginal clans.)
In 1800s, groups and family that led by brothers Thomas and Andrew Chirnside settled the area. With their motto "do or die", finally they created a vast pastoral empire, grazing sheepover 90,000 acres of land surrounding Werribee River, selling wood and claim a great profit. An opulent Italian style mansion together with surrounding gardens completed in 1877, which is known as Werribee Mansion now.
In 1921 as Victorian society developed, new laws and taxes were introduced, its hard for them to keep the glory. The family sold Werribee Park to Corpus Christi College, a training ground for young men whose seeking to enter priesthood.
1973, Victorian Government acquired the Werribee Park and progressively restored the remaining 400 hectares of land to its former glory.



First, i visit State Rose Garden, it's free to enter, and located next to Werribee Park. If you love enjoy the scenery of flower garden, then this might be on your must visit list. Rose is identically being red color, but here... you can find yellow pink purple or white rose.

Not so many visitor come, even it's still on school holiday season. So i found it peaceful and quite.

So if you were from tropical country like me, Indonesia, you might be wondering, why western people love sunbathing or doing picnic under the sun, it must be hot and how come you enjoy the picnic if its so hot? Well, even the sun shining so bright, you won't feel hot because the wind and the weather also different. It's about 20 degree Celsius during that day. And i never take off my cardigan since the wind is quite cold.

After finish taking some memorable pictures, i continue my walk to the Mansion. And i greeted by a beautiful mansion together with their beautiful little garden on the front.

This little garden was called "Parterre", in french word meaning "on the ground". During the era, to build and maintain a parterre like this is hard and cost a lot, you have to hire some full time gardeners to do the seeds, preparing the beds, planting, pruning, weeding, trimming, and watering.

Brother Thomas and Andrew Chirnside's success is shown on the Parterre and the big luxurious mansion. Yes, a parterre is to created an impressive floral display while showcasing the substantial wealth of the owners.

With 10$ let's go to see what's inside the mansion, a 60-room Italianate Mansion built from 1874 to 1877, a result of the successful partnership between Scottish squatters Thomas and Andrew Chirnside.


Thomas's Unrequited Love
1838, Thomas Chirnside left his homeland of Scotland with few hundred pounds in his pocket, a bible and a dreams of a new life. He invested largely in stock and the land. His younger brother, Andrew joined his bold venture in 1841, and together they are set about building a lucrative pastoral empire.

1845, with the business progressing well, Thomas returned to Scotland for a visit, remained a couple years and fell in love with his first cousin, Mary Begbie and asked her hand in marriage, but her parents did not approve. So he ventured back to Australia alone.

With Thomas safely back, Andrew finalized plans for his first trip home. But before leaving, his older brother Thomas asked a favor, to bring Mary back to Australia any way he could. 1852, Andrew returned to Australia accompanied by Mary as his wife. Thomas never married.

Thomas still keep the love toward Mary, and wanted Mary to reside in a home of stature and serenity that unrivaled in Victoria. Therefore, he and Andrew build an elaborate 60-rooms Italianate Style Mansion at their Werribee Park property. Using the finest materials and expertise the Mansion was built in three years for Andrew and Mary Chirnside and their three children.

Thomas took permanent residency at his nearby property in Point Cook until his last few years, where he joined Andrew and Mary in the mansion at Werribee Park. Thomas and Andrew passed away in 1887 and 1890. Tragically, Mary died from a terrible accident in 1908, her hair caught alight from a bedside candle, and she did not recover.



Now, lets take a peek what inside the building. Free peek from bazk3t blog :)

The Drawing Room

The Drawing room is a focal point of the mansion, the place where guests were received and where the ladies withdrew after dinner. This was also the room in which ladies carried out their art and craft work such as detailed embroideries and complex lace work.

In late 19th century, the furniture like all in that rooms of the house was supplied and shipped in 58 cases and insured for five thousand pounds.

Dining Room

Billiard Room

The Billiard Room was a focal point of the Bachelor's Wing. In 1880s, this section is considered a male domain (just like a game room in nowadays). Did you see stuffed spaniel dog at the back? Well even it's not an original, but we do know that Thomas Chirnside did have one of his dog stuffed after its death.

Stairs to the second floor

The Saloon

The Saloon, the finest architectural space in the mansion, served as a combined picture gallery and sitting room, and when the family was entertaining a ballroom its gonna be. When the sallon was used for balls, the orchestra would sit in the vestibule at the far end. Due to clear construction of the space, the sound would travel throughout the house. The vestibule is noted for its well preserved stenciled and gilt domed ceiling. The stenciling throughout the mansion contains 24 carat gold leaf.

Room

The housemaids were responsible for keeping rooms such as this clean and tidy. They should bring up hot water for used on the washstand in the corner of the room, and clear away the slops, without ever intruding on the comfort of the occupants of the room. The fireplace also needed constant care and attention. In the winter, the fire need to be lit, kept stocked, and then cleaned and re-lit. The delicate nature and color of the angora rug in front the fireplace meant that it had to be properly and frequently cleaned.

Children Bedroom

In late 19th century, wealthy parents had little involvement in the raising of their children.

The Blue Bedroom

Do you know that on the late 1870s and early 1880s, noble female need to wear corset and torso? I imagining myself wear that things that gonna become a painful torture.

You will find some of the room is quite old and a little bit spooky, but then you can always go outside balcony to enjoy the garden from the second floor of the mansion.

And a hidden courtyard at the back of the mansion, was a service area used by the servants in the course of their daily duties.



15:34 take train back to city. Spend about 2 hours to visit the mansion and the rose garden, since i traveled alone so i spent less time. But for you guys, i suggest that come early morning to visit the zoo first, while the zoo just located next to Werribee Park. Zoo in Werribee is different with Melbourne zoo. Werribee Open Range Zoo is an African themed zoo. I definitely will coming back next time to visit the open range zoo!