Birregurra Tea House

Step back to a simpler time

A snug cottage steeped in history 

A renovated retreat inspired by wonder 

Its own courtyard, bar and games shed

Two living areas, self contained with full linen service

Three themed bedrooms inspired by local legends

The house is steeped in history. It began its life as a boot maker in 1864, and has seen many uses over the years, including butchery, surveyor’s office, and in more recent years a tea house, café and function venue and a boutique.

It has recently undergone a six months renovation. Blood sweat and tears have transformed this historic building into a holiday rental that sleeps 8. Tapping into the rich history of the house and the area, the owners have poured their creativity into the update: It is more like an art project than traditional renovation. Each bed room has a theme inspired by historic local legends. It’s fun, interesting, well-orchestrated and we think it’s going to be a huge success.

About The Area

Birregurra is a historic town located in the foothills of the Otways Ranges. Ideally situated for the perfect escape to both country and coast. It is just over 1.5 hours from Melbourne, 30 minutes to the Great Ocean Road Lorne and a bit further to Wye River, Anglesea, Bells Beach and Apollo Bay. 

It's a 10 minute drive to Forrest’s World Class mountain Bike trails and Brewery.

The Otway Ranges has some of Australia's best rain forest scenery: Tall trees, ancient plant life, lush ferns and cascading waterfalls makes an enthralling place to explore and bush-walk.

For foodies, you can’t go past the degustation menu’s at Bespoke Harvest in Forrest and Brae (astonishingly ranked 44 in The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants), just out of Birregurra. We can arrange transport to and from both.

If you haven’t discovered this part of the world, we recommend it, there is so much to explore.

About The House

The Frederick Room

A taste of the finer things

Rumour has it that Birregurra’s pioneering settler Frederick Armytage enjoyed all the spoils of the good life – a game of cricket, the thrill of the pheasant hunt, travel to exotic lands that would see him garner an art collection so valuable it now resides with the National Gallery.

Frederick and his family arrived from Tasmania in the 1850s, snaring countless acres across Victoria’s Western District to establish a pastoral empire of sheep stations. Not just a man of fine taste, but a visionary too – the first Australian in the colony of Victoria to send frozen meat to the motherland.

His gentleman’s quarters are styled in opulent reds and golds – furnished with a 150-year old antique Grandfather chair, befitting of Frederick’s charm and standing. As you gaze into the open fireplace cradling a rich red Shiraz, you may think upon his great life, and his vision for this fertile land and the deep shipping ports which opened up trade for its produce.

The Marjorie Room

Soaring to new heights

She was once described as the ‘greatest living dramatic soprano’ of her time. Marjorie Laurence was born in Deans Marsh in 1907, the fifth of six children – a girl who after listening to gramophone records of Nellie Melba, could think of no greater pursuit than singing on the world stage. Marjorie would go on to flourishing heights as an opera singer of bright, ringing vibrato – most famous for singing Wagner’s operas. A wealthy patron built her The Globe theatre at Winchelsea which still survives today.

Marjorie’s Room is designed as a homage to the great singer’s lyrical beauty. Steeped in romance, it opens onto a deck along Lavender Lane – just the spot to sip tea under the dappled light of the Silver Birch trees.

The Daisy Room

Lavish living for bovines

Oh, to be a cow in Birregurra. Daisy – the happiest cow in the district will tell you. This here is lavish living for bovines. Lush, rolling green pastures to graze on: Your fill of sunshine and rainfall with a backdrop of ancient forests towering with Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech trees. Home to one of the country’s richest patches of dark volcanic soil, the fertile grounds of Birregurra make for one of the finest grazing corners of the country.

Thousands of fat, contented cows just like Daisy live their best life here. You’ll see her on the wall – ‘Milkshake’ – Daisy the cow jumping for joy on a trampoline. Put your brain into neutral, set your mood to chill, in a room designed for pure, unadulterated laziness. Two bunks. A shelf of games. Comfy bean bags. Chew, sleep, dream, repeat.

The Mud Room

Rustic ablution

The daily bathing ritual goes old school. A handmade corrugated iron shower. Wood panelled walls. Colonial windows overlooking a sun-kissed rear courtyard with an iron bathtub to let you bathe al fresco. Even an outdoor toilet block to revive the tradition of the outdoor dunny. Just no red back spiders hiding behind the cistern.

The Bootmaker’s Shed

Kick off your shoes

Through the big barn doors, it’s time for a shindig. Kick off your shoes in a games room named after Birregurra’s longstanding bootmaker, James Townsend. He’s the craftsman who built this very Tea House in 1862. James was a prominent figure in the town – the local bootmaker who also trained horses for the race track. Only fitting a man who worked with his hands, who loved horses, and racing should be the patron saint of the Games Room. Crack open a cold one at the bar. Challenge the kids to a game of pool. Take to the stage for a long awaited solo performance. Tell ghost stories around the fire pit. Or simply lay back in the hammock under the dappled light of the oak tree.

The Orchard Pricing 

Sweet country delights

Stroll the fruit grove laden with oranges, almonds, olives and mandarins. A private little patch of The Tea House. On original Cobb & Co coach stop. Brimming with country delights.

PRICING

Birregurra Tea House is priced to make the property attractive to both smaller families and also groups of up to 8. Big groups take much longer to clean-up after and use more electricity, water and firewood, so we have set up a sliding price scale. There is a flat rate for up to 4 guests. Each guest above this is an additional $50 per night – this way small groups aren’t excluded and it covers the additional cleaning and utility costs for larger groups. A flat rate works well for some properties but are trialling this system to make it less expensive for smaller groups.

MANCHESTER

Linen and towels are provided. Beds will be made up on arrival to the number of guests specified in the booking.