Birregurra Tea House
- 6
- 3
- SQM 150
- A/C
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.
COVID-19 -Update. December 1 2020
We will continue to offer FULL refunds to anyone unable to travel due to government restrictions and guidelines.
We have adapted the recommended enhanced cleaning routine.
Self check-in and checkout via key-safe.
24 hour vacancy between stays
The property has reliable fast WiFi and we are open to longer stays.
The minimum night stay has been extended from 2 to 3 nights. To help keep viable and allow for vacany between stays.
For more Covid related details. Check Covid -19 page of the Dufflebird website.
3 Bedroom, 1 Dining-Room, 1 Living room, 2 Toilet
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SleepingBed linen, 2 Queen bed, 2 Single bed
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CookingCooking utensils, Grill, Kitchen stove, Microwave, Oven, Refrigerator, Toaster
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Heating/CoolingAir conditioning, Central heating, Fireplace
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OutsidePrivate Terrace
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EntertainmentDVD-Player, Broadband Internet, Stereo system, TV (Satellite)
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SanitaryHair dryer, Essentials, Shower, Towel-set
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LaundryBathroom & Laundry, Washing machine
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MiscellaneousFire Extinguisher, First aid kit, Smoke Detector, Vacuum cleaner
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ParkingRoofed carport
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OutsideGas BBQ, Private Garden
3:00 PM
11:00 AM
73 Main Street , Birregurra, 3242, Australia
Birregurra Tea House can be found on GPS with the address:
73 Main Street Birregurra 3242
Walk through the little white front gate on to the veranda. The keysafe is on the pole on the far left. Code 7175. There are 3 keys:
labelled front door
labelled side gate and outdoor bar and lounge
labelled back door
We suggest you leave the keys in the back door while home. It is easy to lock yourself out.
Please return the keys to the keysafe when you leave.
Some local tips- guest favourites:
- Brae Restaurant was rated one of the top 100 restaurants in the world for the last few years. A 10 minute drive. You need to book ahead.
- Otway Fly is the longest and highest rain forest sky walk in the world. Also has zip lining.
- Hopetoun Falls, Triplet Falls & Beauchamp Falls and The Redwood Forest. All near Beech Forest.
- Lake Elizabeth -about an 8km walk/cycle or drive from Forrest. Then once there, there's a lovely 4 km walk /loop around the lake. Platypus are frequently sighted at dusk or dawn. Glow worms can often be seen at night.
- Stephenson Falls, is a good walk to do with kids.
- The Forrest Microbrewery offers great coffee, good breakfast and lunch as well as Dinner Thursday-Sun . Thursday has a limited dinner menu, but it's open.
- For the awesome mountain bike trails around Forrest, bring your bikes or you can hire bikes from the Forrest general store.
- Tree Adventure-Otway Park, Yeodene -0429374653 between Birregurra and Forrest. It's a great fun and teamwork activity with family or friends.

