Victoria

Back in Victoria.

We travelled southeast to meet up with Chris's parents
who were attending the Mildura Country Music Festival.

The magnificient railway station at Port Pirie.

Another wall painting at Ouyen.

A "River Busker" mored at Mildura.

I think the neighbours on the right would not be too impressed.

Here is the busker, selling his CD's.

He is a colourful character.

Captains Cabin.

The Galley.

The State Room.

The Head.

Land transport.

Melbourne

Rupertswood Mansion

Sunbury

c. 1874

Hidden in the unlikely suburb of Sunbury is

Rupertswood Mansion, the birthplace of "The Ashes"

Rupertswood link to Web.

"Rupertswood" is one of Australia's most important mansions, both historically and architecturally. Built as a residence for Sir William John Clarke, (first Australian born Baronet), in 1874-76 it became a power seat in the great English tradition. The property covered an area of 31,000 acres. Today the estate has been reduced to 1,100 acres. "Rupertswood" is a 50 room mansion built in the Italianate style, surmounted by a 100 foot tower. The grand entrance is paved with Victorian tessellated tiles and there are six magnificent stained glass panels made by Urie and Fergeson in 1874-76, considered some of the finest examples in the world.

Chris and I wandered in and there was nobody around.

We spent some time wandering around all the rooms and did not see anyone.

It turned out that the mansion was part B&B, part reception rooms, part Roman Catholic school and part rooms preserved by the National Trust.

The front reception room.

Magnificient marble fire place.

The ceilings are ornately decotated with maticulously painted cornice.

The grand entrance and staircase.

One of the stained glass panels.

Close up of the stained glass.

Upper landing.

Upper level drawingroom.

Master bedroom.