Property of the week: 205 Wahring Murchison East Rd, Wahring
An architectural jewel of Victoria’s Goulburn Valley, the Noorilim Estate stands as one of Australia’s most extraordinary Italianate mansions.
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Legend has it that opera icon Dame Nellie Melba performed in the minstrels’ gallery and current-day hitmaker Tones and I filmed a music video at Noorilim estate. The high profile property has even been the breeding ground for multiple Melbourne Cup winners including 1910 champion, Comedy King, who was laid to rest within the grounds.
In 1998, prominent art dealer and entrepreneur behind Menzies International, the late Rod Menzies and his wife Carolyn, bought Noorilim for $3.325 million and set about restoring the Italianate mansion to its former glory.
Today, the 65ha property in the heart of the Goulburn Valley is on the market for only the third time in the past 50 years via Sean Cussell of Christie’s International Real Estate with a price guide of $15m.
During the Menzies’ ownership, the glamorous country estate was a venue for weddings, concerts, and private events, welcoming a long list of international guests. Chart-topping artist Tones and I filmed the video for her song Bad Child at the estate, and the period property has played its part in numerous films and television series. Singer and actor Ted Hamilton, known for roles in Division 4, Homicide, The Love Boat, M*A*S*H and Hawaii Five-O, was also a regular performer at the address.
Given its stately grandeur, Noorilim was even a successful auction centre for fine art with works by Brett Whiteley, Sidney Nolan and Jeffrey Smart sold under the hammer at the property.
Built in 1879 by celebrated architect James Gall for parliamentarian William Winter-Irving, Noorilim is a prime example of post-Gold Rush prosperity in Victoria. At the time of its construction in the mid to late-1800s, Australia had been labelled one of the richest nations on earth and Melbourne’s monied elite were spilling out of the city looking to build country estates to rival those in Great Britain. The nouveau riche began commissioning lavish ornamental houses shadowing the Gothic, Italianate and Queen Anne designs of Europe.
Noorilim’s facade is a striking example of this “boom style” architecture featuring an asymmetrical tower, ornate balustrades and grand arched loggias that frame sweeping views of the estate’s manicured grounds.
Inside, the vast 1022sq m residence has 5m ceilings and lavish period features, including 15 fireplaces, seven staircases, and intricate Corinthian columns.
At the heart of the mansion its grand hall has Minton tiles imported from England and laid by Italian artisans who were shipped out specifically for the job. There is a turret lookout, a billiard room, 10 bedrooms, four bathrooms, an office and grand formal rooms such as a lounge, library and dining room all with expansive windows showcasing views of the gardens and vineyard.
Noorilim’s name is derived from the Indigenous Yorta Yorta language and means “place of many reeds” reflecting the estate’s connection to its natural surroundings. Complementing Gall’s vision, renowned landscape designer William Guilfoyle — who worked on Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens — crafted Noorilim’s standout gardens.
The grounds are home to echidnas, kangaroos and koalas, more than 300 mature trees including ancient Moreton Bay figs, a rose garden with a central fountain, an ornamental lake, a boathouse, and even a private beach on the banks of Goulburn River. There is also an extensive wine cellar, numerous outbuildings and barns, as well as a heritage-listed water tower. The working vineyard produces Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet, and Merlot grape varieties.
Noorilim, near Nagambie, is 150kms north east of Melbourne at 205 Wahring Murchison East Rd, Wahring. The property is listed with Sean Cussell from Christie’s International Real
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A rare 41-hectare Southern Highlands farm is on the market with a $10 million guide, as demand for prestige lifestyle estates continues to surge.
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A rolling 41ha parcel of farmland in the Southern Highlands, which last sold back in 2012 for $3.05 million, has come to market with a price guide of $10 million.
The sprawling rural estate, once featured in Highlife Magazine showcasing its colourful gardens, is listed with Anne Stone of McGrath Bowral through a private treaty sale.
Beyond the stately front gates and meandering driveway, the working farm consists of a five-bedroom main residence coupled with a three-bedroom guest cottage, as well as a private self-contained studio space.
Also known as Dragon Farm, the picturesque pocket sits 10kms west of Robertson and 47kms from the shores of Kiama.
Near the sleepy hamlet of Wildes Meadow, the provincial property houses 17 fenced paddocks, a championship-sized tennis court with a pavilion, plus a wellness area including a gym and steam room.
Just in time for the Australian Open, McGrath recently highlighted the value of a home grown tennis court in its 2026 Prestige Residential report.
The demand for lifestyle properties with sporting amenities has surged since the early days of the pandemic in 2020, with tennis courts proving to be a big hit.
Along Australia’s east coast, the study showed there were 71 prestige properties with tennis courts sold in the 12-months to October 2025.
New South Wales accounted for 46 per cent of those transactions, and the McGrath paper reported a price premium of 42 per cent achieved for listings with a tennis court during that period.
“Super-prestige properties equipped with tennis courts remain tightly held. Rather than being transacted for a premium they’re being land banked, as the increasing rarity of estates on large parcels will likely drive value over the longterm,” said McGrath research analyst, Michelle Ciesielski.
The main homestead at the Southern Highlands property makes the most of its panoramic setting with district views from three separate living areas and covered wraparound verandas.
Within the 323sq m footprint of the primary residence there is a modern country style kitchen, a central courtyard and main bedroom with a study nook and ensuite.
Ideal for visitors or live-in staff, the rustic cottage measures approximately 140sq m and has an open plan living zone with kitchen flowing through to a traditional veranda, plus three bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and one ensuite.
Beside the cottage an original dairy shed has been transformed into an entertainer’s space with an outdoor kitchen and the separate studio retreat dishes up more accommodation with an alfresco area and fireplace.
Additionally, the tennis court cabana is also set up with a kitchenette and wellness area.
Within the property there are established internal roads, cattle yards and multiple sheds to support livestock or equestrian pursuits.
Currently, the land is home to 35 cows, two bulls and 25 calves grazing across the lush fertile pastures.
The grounds features a potager vegetable garden, a woodland walk and a sculptural Celtic-inspired garden with a maze and two dams.
Listed with Anne Stone of McGrath Bowral, 100 Blencowes Lane, Wildes Meadow is on the market via a private treaty campaign with a price guide of $10 million.
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