Vale Hill House: ‘Once we bought this place it put work into perspective’

Vale Hill House, described as a Goldfields masterpiece, has just hit the market.

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One of Australia’s most romantic and architecturally significant homes has hit the market.

Described as “Goldfields masterpiece where history, architecture and landscape converge”, Vale Hill House is a 4ha estate in pastoral Ullina, close by the Central Victorian towns of Daylesford, Creswick and Clunes.

Its current owner, Chris Taylor, bought it for $3.3m with his late partner, Medibank chief marketing executive Lisa Ronson.

“We bought it as a Covid tree change, fulfilling our long-term ambition of owning a rural property,” Taylor said.

“We’d only been in Melbourne for 10 months when we were hit with the lockdowns.

“Friends owned a property nearby and we fell in love with the area …. buying this was our dream.

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The impressive residence, by Centrum Architects, blends old and new.

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The 4ha estate features one of Victoria’s largest and most productive domestic edible gardens — two hectares of rare fruit trees, orchards, and terraced plantings.

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“Up until then our careers were the priority … but when we bought this place it gave us a sense of purpose and put work into perspective.”

The house was built by Scottish stonemason Peter McRorie in the 1850s after the discovery of gold in the district as a mine manager’s residence.

After being destroyed by fire in 1978, the property was in ruins for decades.

It wasn’t until 2005 that the home’s rebirth began, with Centrum Architects and late interior designer Stuart Rattle fusing 19th century bluestone with glass and steel to create the current structure.

Soon after, it featured on ABC’s Dream Build and in Stephen Crafti’s book A Place in the Country.

The house comprises four bedrooms, two kitchens, three-and-a-half bathrooms, a double-height entry, and a wine cellar that dates back to the 1850s.

Discovering the property was a dream come true for the vendor, Chris Taylor, and his late partner, Medibank chief marketing executive Lisa Ronson.

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The residence featured on ABC’s Dream Build and in Stephen Crafti’s book A Place in the Country.

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Vale Hill House has two kitchens.

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The original bluestone walls form the heart of a much larger home, with aged hardwood lintels, window, and door frames reinstated after the fire.

The master suite offers views to Mt Kooroocheang, with an ensuite, dressing room, private den, and study.

Two spacious guest bedrooms share a second bathroom with a spa.

Climate control is managed through split-system units, underfloor heating, and working fireplaces.

The original wine cellar, built from handmade brick, remains beautifully cool even on the hottest summer days, with space for more than 500 bottles.

Its most recent owners have created short-stay accommodation in a separate, self-contained barn.

Original bluestone walls.

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The ruined remains of the old milking shed have been transformed into a charming grotto, now known as the Champagne Room, with a domed iron roof and laser-cut fences creating an intimate, atmospheric space.

And the property also features one of Victoria’s largest and most productive domestic edible gardens – two hectares of rare fruit trees, orchards, and terraced plantings.

Another highlight is the newly installed 360,000-litre aquatic garden.

The sales agent, Kim McQueen, has a price guide in the high $3m-$4m range.

“It’s such an incredible property, absolutely stunning and the historic part of the building has been beautifully restored,” McQueen said.

“We’re expecting it to be very popular.”