Property of the week: Buderim House, 6-14 Orme Rd, Buderim
This expansive estate and home takes the Queenslander style to a whole new level
2 min
As majestic Queenslanders go, Buderim House has the stately street-cred — and the blue blood history to go with it. More than a just residence, heritage-listed Buderim House is a slice of Sunshine Coast history with a colourful past welcoming British aristocracy.
Farmer Herbert Fielding had the striking three-storey home built in 1915 on a 16ha parcel of land, part of the 49ha lot his father had left him. Designed by Brisbane-born architect George Trotter, Buderim House was built by Christian Schriver and eventually added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1993.
The landmark changed hands even before the house was completed when Fielding jumped at an offer from businessman Walter Oakes who added the iconic tower and elaborate “Buderim House” stained glass windows in the front door — both of which remain today.
Fielding ended up buying back Buderim House back in 1925 and went on to produce fruit, cattle and coffee on the land for decades. Local legend has it that the property hosted many notable guests over a century, including the Duke of Gloucester who made it his Queensland headquarters during his Australian tour in 1934.
The seven-bedroom, six-bathroom residence on 6315sq m of sub-tropical gardens and sweeping lawns underwent an architecturally designed extension in 2003 and more contemporary changes with the current owners after four years of recent restoration.
Beyond the stately wrought iron gates of Buderim House, the sheer scale of the period property is evident with a long palm tree-lined driveway leading to the grand external staircase and classic wraparound veranda framing the trophy home.
An illustration of traditional craftsmanship, the vast home covers more than 850sq m of living space with high ceilings and ornate detailing, plus plenty of modern must haves.
The kitchen has been remastered for the modern entertainer and features a 10m-long Brazilian quartzite bench overlooking the pool through original stained glass windows. This main living level is bordered by a full balcony and also houses large formal lounge and dining rooms, a second living area opening out to a rear deck and four bedrooms alongside a sleek commercial-sized laundry with a convenient drying balcony.
Down on the ground floor there is another spacious footprint with two more bedrooms, a gym, a multipurpose room, mudroom and a rumpus style space and games room. This whole lower level is flanked by a classic wraparound veranda.
A second floor retreat houses a main bedroom suite with a walk-through wardrobe to a deluxe bath ensuite and access to the fairytale turret.
The estate’s outdoor spaces are equally impressive with a European-inspired poolside retreat, pathways through lush landscaped gardens, established veggie patches, beehives, rolling lawns, and an enchanting private forest.
Located within minutes from of Buderim’s town centre, this heritage-listed property spans over 1.5 acres on Buderim’s northern escarpment, offering breathtaking vistas and an atmosphere of timeless grandeur.
Inspections of Buderim House are available by private appointment with Tristan Kurz of Homestead Prestige on 0422 804 699. Best offers are invited before December 16, at 5pm.
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Australia’s castles are rare, but this one is real. Built in 1849 and held by the same family for 50 years, Overnewton Castle in Melbourne is now seeking its next custodian.
3 min
Australia’s castles are few and far between, and the opportunity to buy one rarely pops up. There is, however, now a bona fide 35-room chateau for sale in suburban Melbourne.
Listed for the first time in half a century, Overnewton Castle in Keilor, north west of the city, has launched to market through Sean Cussell of Christie’s International Real Estate with a $6 million to $6.6 million price guide.
The 176-year-old Scottish Baronial-style property has been home to the Norton family for the past 50 years, but was originally built for Scottish settler, grazier and former Mayor of Keilor, William James Taylor.
On a sprawling 2.25ha estate surrounded by rolling grounds filled with sculpted gardens and 170-year-old elm trees, the ivy-clad seven-bedroom three-bathroom residence is layered with a blend of Scottish, French and English influences.
Inside the heritage-listed mansion, there is a grand ballroom seating up to 150 guests, a lavish dining room, and a private chapel that was converted from the original billiards room.
Gastroenterologist Dr LJ Norton and his family have invested five decades in Overnewton Castle, partly preserving its period features while also updating the house for the 21st Century. After a devastating fire in 1979, the Nortons upgraded the infrastructure, installed mains water and access roads, and created a 100-vehicle car park.
Many of the 1849 estate’s original features, including drystone walls, period fireplaces and the dramatic western turret – accessed via a 40-step spiral staircase with a mahogany handrail – have been meticulously maintained. Even the turret’s slate “fish scale” roof tiling and ornate wind vane are straight out of the 19th century.
“Overnewton Castle is not just a property; it is our home and a piece of local history that we have cherished for 50 years,” says Norton family member and managing director of Overnewton Castle, Emma Stott.
“Living here, respectfully updating the facilities and operating our business has been a labour of love. As a family, we have created so many fond memories here, as well as played an important role in countless weddings and other events hosted on our grounds.”
In addition to hosting weddings at Overnewton Castle, the Norton and Stott families also run historical tours and high teas on the property.
Cussell says the unique listing represents an opportunity of historical significance. “Overnewton Castle is one of the finest examples of Scottish Baronial architecture in the Southern Hemisphere and an ideal setting for a private residence, luxury retreat, education facility or event venue,” he explains.
“It represents a rare convergence of architectural grandeur, cultural heritage and enduring family legacy. The listing truly is an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of Australian history.”
Overnewton’s cultural footprint reaches beyond local tourism, with the castle making its mark in Australian cinema. It played a role as the fictional Monclare mansion in the 1982 cult horror film Next of Kin.
Earlier this year, the period Victoria Racing Club nominated property to display the Melbourne Cup during its prestigious Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, and in 2024, the site was also a finalist in the Victorian Tourism Awards.
Beyond the grand residence, there are several restored outbuildings suitable for entertaining or accommodation, including The Stables for up ten guests, The Loft which sleeps eight, The Cottage that accommodates six, and The Cabin with space for four people.
The stately address is soon to become even better connected with the forthcoming Suburban Rail Loop and Sunshine Superhub infrastructure projects, improving access to the city. Overnewton is about 20kms from Melbourne’s CBD and 8kms from Melbourne Airport.
Overnewton Castle is listed with Sean Cussell of Christie’s International Real Estate with a price guide of $6 million to $6.6 million. The expressions of interest campaign closes on November 21 at 3 pm.
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