By Alesha Capone
A heritage-listed homestead in Little River, built more than a century ago, is on the market.
Mount Rothwell homestead was constructed in 1873 for Robert Chirnside, nephew of the famous Thomas and Andrew Chirnside from Werribee Park.
The Italianate bluestone residence, which has 25 rooms, is set on about 88 hectares.
The stately house, which is located at 25 Mount Rothwell Road, has ceilings and walls hand-painted by American artist Clay Beeler.
A director from Abercromby’s Real Estate in Armadale, Jock Langley, said the homestead had featured in several films, including the 2003 movie Ned Kelly, which starred Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom.
Mr Langley said Abercromby’s was taking offers of between $3.3 million to $3.6 million for the homestead, with the property attracting interest from Melbourne, interstate and overseas.
“The expatriate community have been looking at it,” he said.
“It’s quite extraordinary – being a historic property, it’s got some unique character and you don’t really realise it until you walk through.”
Mr Langley said that the homestead included views of the You Yangs, the Dandenong and Brisbane ranges and Melbourne CBD.
The property’s grounds include a four-bedroom weatherboard caretaker’s dwelling, a shearing shed, horse paddocks and stables, silos, a dressage arena and a bore-fed dam.
The Victorian Heritage Register says that Mount Rothwell Homestead “is of architectural and historic significance to Victoria”.
