Dhurringile Estate
Tucked behind the red gums near Murchison lies Dhurringile—a striking 19th-century mansion with a rich, layered history and deep roots in the Goulburn Valley.
Originally built in 1876 by wealthy pastoralist James Winter, the estate was once one of the grandest homesteads in regional Victoria. Crafted in Italianate style, Dhurringile is heritage-listed for its architectural and cultural significance. Over time, it has served as a private mansion, a boys’ training school, a wartime internment facility, and most recently, a minimum-security prison.
Today, Destination Goulburn Valley is championing a bold new chapter for Dhurringile. We’re advocating for the site’s preservation and reinvention as a vibrant tourism and community asset—one that honours its past while unlocking its potential for the future.
What’s Next for Dhurringile Mansion?
Dhurringile Mansion has had four very different occupants under its roof over the years, with a range of uses extending across the surrounding farmland. The property—including the mansion, stables, and shearing shed—is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and recognised as being “of architectural, historical and social significance to the State of Victoria.”
Beyond its cultural value, the economic impact of reactivating Dhurringile could be immense. If the right ‘fifth life’ can be secured, it has the potential to deliver far-reaching benefits for the Goulburn Valley region—stimulating tourism, creating jobs, and providing new spaces for accommodation, events, and education.
Dhurringile mansion. (Photo by Helen Newton)
Honouring the Past, Investing in the Future
Our vision
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We are committed to honouring Dhurringile’s layered past—preserving the mansion, stables, and surrounding buildings as important touchstones of Victorian heritage. This includes showcasing its many lives as a pastoral estate, internment site, youth facility, and most recently, a minimum-security prison. Through storytelling, interpretation, and sensitive restoration, we aim to protect and share the estate’s legacy for generations to come.
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Our vision includes thoughtfully designed accommodation that serves both visitors and the growing needs of the region’s workforce. From boutique guest stays to practical and well-located workforce housing, Dhurringile offers a unique opportunity to balance tourism with regional infrastructure needs—supporting both the visitor economy and local industries.
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Set among red gums and open skies, Dhurringile has the potential to offer inviting campgrounds for travellers and locals alike. With its location along the Murchison-Violet Town Road and connection to surrounding towns, a campground would provide the perfect stop for weekenders exploring the Goulburn Valley’s food, wine, and natural beauty.
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Dhurringile’s historic stables and open space make it an ideal site for a National Equestrian Centre—offering facilities for training, competitions, agistment, and community events. Such a centre would serve local equestrian networks while attracting visitors and participants from across the country, creating new jobs and boosting regional tourism.
This project offers a unique opportunity to connect heritage with hospitality, and community with economic potential. From educational tours to equestrian events and luxury stays, Dhurringile could once again serve as a regional landmark and gateway to the stories of our past.
Why it matters?
Stained glass window on the stairway. (Photo by Warwick Finlay 2012)
The redevelopment of Dhurringile aligns with our broader regional goals: to boost local tourism, strengthen community pride, attract investment, and preserve the historical assets that make the Goulburn Valley unique.
With your support, we can ensure that this incredible site isn’t lost to time, but instead restored and reimagined for future generations to explore, enjoy and learn from.
“Dhurringile’s next chapter has the power to honour its remarkable past while creating something extraordinary for the future—where heritage, community and opportunity meet.”
— Community member
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