Property of the Week: Overnewton Castle, Keilor, Victoria
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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Style, heritage and design pedigree combine at \the Armadale home of Husk founder Jacquie Naylor, a showcase of timeless elegance and modern sophistication.
2 min
In the domain of design, Jacquie Naylor knows what works, so it is no surprise that her Melbourne home is an essay in style and sophistication.
The acclaimed fashion entrepreneur and founder of luxury lifestyle brand Husk has been front and centre in shaping the nation’s retail landscape for decades.
Naylor has previously held senior non-executive roles with Michael Hill, Macpac, Cambridge Clothing, and the PAS Group. The fashion doyenne also sat on the board of the Melbourne Fashion Festival for 12 years. Earlier this year, she stepped down after six years as a non-executive director on the board of Myer.
Now she is making another significant move, selling her Armadale home of three decades.
Listed with Kay & Burton agents, Gerald Delany and Nicole Gleeson, the grand late-Edwardian residence at 39 Glassford St is a refined blend of heritage charm and contemporary flair in one of the city’s most desirable postcodes.
“Jacquie’s home reflects the same sophisticated aesthetic and attention to detail that have defined her professional life,” said Delany, who is marketing the property with a $5.5 million to $6 million price guide.
“It’s a rare chance to purchase a residence shaped by an industry leader with an exceptional eye for design and quality.”
Designed in collaboration with Mark Simpson of Design Office, the home expertly combines classic architectural features with sleek modern interiors.
Original Edwardian detailing includes ornate ceilings, leadlight windows, and decorative fireplaces sitting seamlessly beside 21st-century finishes and clever design principles that bring in natural light and provide functional living areas.
The two-storey home is connected by both a spiral staircase and an internal elevator, with the main living level on the ground floor, and three bedrooms, plus a rooftop terrace above.
Downstairs, there are multiple entertainment areas, including a lounge room with a fireplace and French doors to the yard, as well as a sitting room and a second living space.
A chef’s kitchen features ILVE, Miele, and Liebherr appliances, a butler’s pantry, and marble bench tops. The dining area feeds through full-height metal-framed glass doors to the north-facing terrace, gardens and gas-heated swimming pool.
Conveniently sitting on the ground floor, the main bedroom suite has a walk-in wardrobe and a hotel-inspired ensuite with a tub.
Upstairs, three more bedrooms feature custom-made cabinetry. Two bedrooms share a full family-friendly bathroom, while a guest room has an ensuite with underfloor heating.
Up above, a roof terrace is the ideal vantage point to enjoy panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.
Additional highlights of the home include zoned heating and cooling, heated towel rails, a lock-up garage, electric-gated driveway parking, and irrigated gardens with feature lighting.
Armadale is synonymous with leafy streets, grand period homes, and designer boutiques. The Glassford St house is 6kms southeast of the CBD and is close to the High St shopping strip, Beatty Ave cafés, and Armadale Station. Lauriston Girls’ School, Armadale Primary School, St Catherine’s and Scotch College are also nearby.
The property at 39 Glassford St, Armadale, is listed via an expression of interest closing October 28, at 5pm, with a $5.5 million to $6 million price guide.
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