Castle in surburban Melbourne on the market

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.

The Centennial Collection, the new apartment development on the edge of Centennial Park in Bondi Junction, continues to break local residential property records.

A local Eastern suburbs buyer has splashed $11 million on a three-bedroom, sub-penthouse on level 10 of the development, topping the previous record within the same development.

At 266 sqm, including internal and external space, the north-facing residence achieved more than $55,000 per sqm, making it one of the most expensive apartment transactions ever recorded in Sydney’s eastern suburbs outside the harbourfront enclaves of Double Bay and Darling Point.

The buyer had originally purchased a three-bedroom apartment in The Centennial Collection in 2025 for $6.5 million before deciding to secure the larger half-floor sub-penthouse.

Ray White Projects Director of Sales Marcello Bo, who is managing sales for the project, said the transaction highlighted the continued strength of demand for premium apartments in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

“This sale is a clear indication of buoyancy in the upper end of the market and reinforces the strong demand and appetite for primely located, larger-sized apartments with all the luxurious inclusions you would expect with a development of this calibre,” Bo said.

“It also demonstrates that superbly-designed, lifestyle-driven residences in tightly held locations continue to outperform, particularly when they deliver scale, privacy, rarity and long-term liveability that aligns with how buyers want to live today.”

The Centennial Collection occupies a prominent gateway site overlooking Centennial Park at the junction of Bondi Junction, Woollahra and Paddington. Following recent State Significant Development approval, the project now comprises 79 apartments across two adjoining towers rising 13 and 16 storeys.

The development has been designed to target owner-occupiers seeking larger-format apartments, with residences featuring inclusions more commonly associated with standalone homes, including private rooftop pools, bedroom fireplaces, wet bars, butler’s pantries and full-sized wine fridges.

The record-setting residence was originally designed as one of the project’s penthouses before the approval process allowed additional levels to be added to the scheme.

Positioned on Level 10, the apartment occupies half a floor and has no common walls. It offers 270-degree views spanning Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Centennial Park and both the northern and southern headlands.

The purchaser said that proximity to Centennial Park, transport connectivity, and the surrounding lifestyle amenities ultimately drove his decision.

“I’m constantly looking at developments everywhere in the east, from Darling Point to Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay, all the beaches, Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama, Woollahra. I wanted something new,” he said.

“Everywhere you go, there’s a trade-off. It might have a great floor plan, but it doesn’t have a view. Working in the city, your daily commute impacts everything, so Bondi Junction train station was a huge factor in my decision.”

The buyer, an avid cyclist who rides regularly in Centennial Park, said his view of the location changed significantly as he spent more time assessing the eastern suburbs market.

“At first, I thought, who would want to live there? It’s one of the busiest intersections in the eastern suburbs. But when you peel it all back, it’s one of the best locations in Sydney. You’re close to everything, you can walk to everything, the amenity is incredible, and the views are amazing.”

Bondi Junction is slated to look materially different in the coming decades, with a draft 100-page masterplan proposing a regeneration of the suburb which would include thousands more apartments as well as a revitalised commercial, retail, and dining precinct.

Castle in surburban Melbourne on the market

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.

A record-breaking $11 million sale at The Centennial Collection has set a new benchmark for luxury apartment living in Bondi Junction.