The Western District of Victoria. Even the name conjures up establishment families, history and grandeur.
Extending from the Grampians region in the south-west of the state to Geelong in the east, and stretching as far north as Ararat, The Western District some of the most productive land in Australia and some of its most renowned homesteads and gardens.
In this revised edition of Richard Allen and Kimbal Baker’s fascinating and beautiful book, we are taken into the private world of twenty of these most notable properties.
Through their early histories we follow their fortunes and see the splendour of these great homes.
It is a tribute to the past, when elaborate mansions and grand gardens were established, and to the present, with owners who have so lovingly preserved their properties’ architectural heritage.
With a forward by Geoffrey Blainey, the new edition of this bestselling title brings the history of the estates up to date, including five fully revised chapters, with new photography scattered throughout.
Richard Allen has been a writer for more than thirty years, covering a wide variety of subjects for Australian Financial Review, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Weekend, The Sunday Telegraph (UK) and BRW.
Allen’s previous books include Australia’s First Families of Wine, Australia’s Remarkable Trees, Great Properties of Country Victoria, More Great Properties of Country Victoria and The Spirit of Golf and How It Applies to Life.
Kimbal Baker is a freelance photographer with more than forty years’ experience. His images have been published in numerous journals and magazines, and he has worked as a staff photographer for ACP Publications and Agence France-Presse.
His images have also been acquired by the National Library of Australia and a number have been issued by Australia Post as First Day Covers and a postage stamp series.
Baker’s books include Australia’s First Families of Wine, Australia’s Remarkable Trees, Great Properties of Country Victoria, More Great Properties of Country Victoria and Grand Melbourne Gardens.
Great Properties of Country Victoria (revised edition) is published by Melbourne University Publishing (The Miegunyah Press) and available from all leading book retailers including Booktopia.
Image: Great Properties of Country Victoria – courtesy of The Miegunyah Press