Historic Victorian homestead Ingleby hits the market

Currently operating as a beef stud, the focal point of the property is the two-storey, six-bedroom homestead built in 1860 by pastoralist George Armytage.

Ingleby was originally part of a much larger station holding of Armytage’s brother Thomas, who was one of the first men to settle land north of Port Phillip in the 1830s.

After the homestead was completed, the Armytages constructed stables, a coach house, workshop, staff and attendant’s quarters, a stone woolshed and three other cottages which are included in the sale. 

Matt Childs, director of Pat Rice Hawkins who is marketing the property, said it was rare for a heritage property of this type to be listed on the market. 

“I don’t think there’s anything that exists that’s comparable, there’s not too many bluestone homesteads around, there’s only a few that exist – let alone for sale,” he said. 

He said the property’s location and four-kilometre direct frontage to the Barwon River had already attracted interest from buyers.

“That area of Victoria has always been quite exclusive and property doesn’t last very long, especially of this calibre. It’s certainly in high demand compared to some of the state and in this area and the surf coast as well there’s been a lot of activity lately. 

“The history of this place is what’s desirable about it and the scale of it. It’s a good size holding for that region, the fact that it’s on the Barwon river and it’s 90 minutes from Melbourne.” 

Mr Childs noted the house needed significant work done to restore the original features of the stately billiards, dining and drawing rooms. 

The homestead also features a cedar staircase, historic glass windows, internal chimneyed fireplaces and a wraparound veranda. 

Three other cottages on the property are also in poor condition, with only one considered “liveable”.

The house has a heritage overlay, recognised for its “architectural significance as a major surviving work of the accomplished Geelong architect Edward Prowse”.

“The large T-plan woolshed is of particular significance for the unusual use of subdued classical architectural decorative elements in a building of otherwise utilitarian character,” according to the state heritage register. 

Having held the property for 21 years, the current vendors are now retiring from farming.

For most of that time they conducted the Kathandra Limousin Stud in conjunction with a cattle grazing and breeding operation.

The property has substantial water supplies with stock water sourced from the river along with an in-ground well in the garden and rainwater tank storage. 

It also has a 50-megalitre unused extraction right.