Review: The Homestead at Mount William Station, Victoria, Australia

In this travel series, we highlight one incredible and unique property or attraction you must visit at least once in your life.

Hotels and resorts offer plenty of conveniences and comfort, but it is homesteads that can truly capture hearts with their unique charm. Homesteads are historic properties, often nestled in nature, that offer a blend of heritage, rustic charm, and an intimate connection to the land it is on.

Tucked away in the breathtaking landscapes of the Grampians in Australia and around 45 minutes from Hall’s Gap town centre, Mount William Station is one such property.

This 19th-century property, surrounded by five acres of lush English gardens and expansive pastures, offers two distinct accommodations. The Homestead, a beautifully restored residence, features seven bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, ideal for couples or groups seeking luxury and privacy. The Shearers’ Quarters, built in 1869, retains its rustic charm, once home to generations of station workers. It now welcomes families and groups, offering a relaxed, communal atmosphere.

I had the privilege of staying for a night at The Homestead, specifically, in Uncle Jim’s Room. The room pays tribute to James E. F. Mann, a close family friend of R.M. Barr Smith. Known as Uncle Jim, Mann was a bachelor with a bold spirit who studied at Cambridge and fought alongside Barr Smith in World War II, forging a lifelong bond. The other rooms, from Chirnside Master to the Stables Room, are each charmingly adorned with their own unique character.

Uncle Jim’s room is a cosy space, with a double bed right by the door and a double vanity in front of it. The bathroom and shower flank the vanity. A quaint little fireplace is flushed into the walls of the room, with a mantelpiece that hold bottles of water and a booklet with a brief history of the room.

Here’s a bittersweet little fact for you to chew on if you ever stay in the room. “While Uncle Jim was known to be a bachelor, he did love one woman. Unfortunately, he felt that he didn’t have enough to offer her so he never married her. In the end, she married his best friend and he was the best man at their wedding.”

Roaming the grounds
At Mount Williams Station, time meanders. Stroll through the English gardens, relax by the pool, unwind in the sauna, or visit the stables. As evening descends, the Rhino Room, a cosy communal space with complimentary snacks and beverages, comes alive. There, I encountered a couple, who shared jolly tales of their travels as retirees, and how they make it a point to disconnect for a night or two at The Homestead every year.

Plans were also underway to add a telescope, promising stargazing opportunities to guests eager to embrace the unspoiled night skies.

No stay here is complete without indulging in its culinary offerings. Head chef Dean Sibthorp turns locally sourced, seasonal ingredients into a nightly ‘dinner with friends’. The result? A dining experience that lingers in your memory. That evening’s meal was the best I had during my two-week Australian journey. A bold claim, but entirely deserved.

I try to steer clear of the cliché “a slice of heaven” in travel writing, but Mount William Station truly embodied a tranquil retreat. It offered me the rare luxury of slowing down, immersing myself in the historical surroundings, and finally catching up on some reading.

It’s understandable why the couple I met in the Rhino room make it a point to return every now and then.

Room starts from A$180 per night at The Shearer’s Quarters and A$790 per night at the Homestead.

Mount Williams Station
Address: 118 Mount William Estate Rd, Willaura VIC 3379, Australia

Hosted by Tourism Australia in 2024, but opinions are my own.