Discover Vale Hill House

Take a journey through time and nature at Vale Hill House. Explore the grounds, where history blends with the beauty of nature, and uncover the rich stories hidden in its landscape. From the remains of the gold mine to the peaceful gardens, Vale Hill House offers a rare glimpse into the resilience of both its people and the land.

Vale Hill House Legacy

The McRories – Builders of Vale Hill

The story of Vale Hill House begins with Peter McRorie, a Scottish stonemason who arrived in Australia with his family in 1855 in search of new opportunities. Attracted by the gold rush, Peter soon found work managing a mine and eventually built Vale Hill House in 1858. From a hillside with only a few stones, he and his family created the foundations of the property. Today, the white quartz remnants of the mine remind us of the McRorie family's enduring legacy.

Through the Toose Family

Following the McRories, Vale Hill became the cherished home of Frederick and Eve Toose, who continued the tradition of working the land and raising a family on its fertile soil. Photos from the 1920s capture moments of family pride—a new car in the driveway, gatherings on the lawn, and the everyday beauty of life on a country estate. The Toose family maintained Vale Hill until the devastating fire of 1978. Descendants of the Toose family reside in the district today.

Tragedy and Restoration

The Fire of 1978

For over 100 years, Vale Hill House stood proud in the landscape until a tragic fire reduced the property to a shell of its former self, with only four walls and three chimneys left standing. Locals still recall the old ruins as a haunting landmark, a memory of what once was.

A New Beginning – Chris & Wayne’s Vision

In 2005, Chris Walden and Wayne Cross acquired Vale Hill House and embarked on an 11-year journey to restore it. They transformed the scorched ruins into a haven of sustainability, bringing life back to the property with a thriving garden of fruit trees and vegetables. This garden became a major supplier for their restaurant, embodying the essence of self-sustenance and local community connection.

Today’s Vale Hill House

Our Journey

In 2019, Lisa and Chris exchanged the hustle of corporate life in Melbourne for the dream of a rural retreat. Drawn by the charm and history of Vale Hill House, they took on the role of stewards of this storied estate, learning as they went about the challenges of country life. While the initial years brought their share of surprises - an overgrown garden and endless hedge trimming - Lisa and Chris found joy in the slower pace and in preserving the beautiful gardens that make Vale Hill House such a special place.

A Legacy Restored at
Vale Hill House

Today, half of the estate is lush paddocks, while the other half is home to one of the largest domestic edible gardens in Victoria. Here, you’ll find a labyrinth of over 300 fruit trees, terraced beds for seasonal vegetables, and an array of rare plant species. Lisa and Chris work tirelessly to maintain and enhance the beauty of this remarkable garden, preserving it for future generations.