Description

Fulham Homestead (c.1846)
The original homestead and heritage buildings precinct have never before been offered for sale.
First settled by Francis Desailly in 1840 and built by the pioneering Armytage family from 1846, Fulham has never before been publicly offered for sale. Having been compulsory acquired from the Armytages by the Soldier Settlement Commission in the 1950’s the property passed to HV Walcott whose descendants continue to operate the property to today.
Fulham homestead is unique. Circa 1846, it is one of the oldest continually occupied homesteads in Victoria, and it is still true to its original design. Externally the rubble coursed ironstone walls encasing the colonial vernacular design are in excellent order, as is the interior which has been tastefully and sympathetically adapted for today’s requirements containing 2 bedrooms, bathroom, living area, office and kitchen. French doors open from the principal rooms onto the veranda allowing for expansive views across the garden to the Glenelg River, as well as exposing features such as the original thatching which can be glimpsed along the veranda roof line.
With the homestead sited on a commanding rise overlooking the largest waterhole on the upper Glenelg, the homestead gardens fall gently to the south and abut the riverbank at their conclusion. Both indigenous and exotics feature in the showpiece garden – a popular attraction for garden lovers when open to the public.
Also within the homestead curtilage, and in excellent condition, sits a detached wing providing significant accommodation. Built in the 1840s, the guest house provides a further 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, lounge and fully renovated kitchen as well as a delightful reading room with windows framing an ancient Moreton Bay fig. Directly opposite sits another wing with the original Cobb & Co staging station and associated rooms.
The list of historic outbuildings located on the property is extensive and includes the schoolhouse, stables and most significantly the original station hands’ cookhouse. Constructed of ironstone at the same time as the homestead, it features and enormous working fireplace with adjacent wood bread oven and has been restored to provide an outstanding colonial style dinner party venue with a difference.
First listed with the National Trust in July 1965, Fulham is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR H0476) and is of architectural, historic and social significance to Victoria.