Werribee Park
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Werribee Park is the estate of a historical building in Werribee, Victoria, Australia. It includes Werribee Park Mansion, the Victorian State Rose Garden, formal gardens, the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, the Werribee Open Range Zoo, a contemporary sculpture walk and a natural riverine which is being grown with the plants of the Kurung Jang Balluk clan who lived on Werribee River. There is also the Mansion Hotel and Conference Centre. The Park was purchased by the Victoria State Government in 1973. It was opened as a tourist attraction in 1977. It is run by Parks Victoria.[1]
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[edit] Werribee Park Mansion
Werribee Park Mansion was built by pastoralists Andrew Chirnside and Thomas Chirnside between 1874 and 1877 in the Italianate style. Its residential and working buildings supported a large farm workforce. The rooms open to the public include the billardroom, the main bedrooms, the reception rooms and part of the kitchen. When Thomas Chirnside committed suicide, some of the property was passed on to George Chirnside, thus building the Manor in the 1890s. From 1923 to 1973, the Mansion was a Catholic seminary, Corpus Christi College. The wings which are now the Mansion Hotel were added during that period. In 1996, episodes, set in England, of The Genie From Down Under TV series were shot at the mansion. Also most rooms in the house were used for an American based movie called, "The Pirate Movie" starring Kristy McNichols and THE BLUE LAGOON's Christopher Atkins.
In December 2007, the Werribee Park Mansion hosted an Elton John concert as part of his Rocket Man Solo Tour.
Once a year the Werribee Mansion Grounds are used to hold the Werribee Christmas carols.ะช
[edit] Victoria State Rose Garden
The Victoria State Rose Garden is managed by Parks Victoria. The Victoria State Rose Garden Supporters are responsible for the care and maintenance of the roses. The roses are grouped into 4 sections. The earliest, opened in 1986, is in the shape of a Tudor rose with 5 petals. It contains 252 different roses from all over the world. The Australian Federation Leaf contains 60 different Australian bred roses introduced in the 19th century. It was opened in 2000. The Heritage border, along two sides of the garden, contains 250 tpyes of old and species roses. It was opened in 2000. The David Austin Bud, opened in 2001, contains 48 roses from this British rose breeder. Admission is free. It received a 'Garden of Excellence Award' from the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2003.
[edit] Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre
The Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre is an international standard sporting facility for equestrian events, including Equitana and the World Polo Championships. It was officially opened in 1984 as the designated State Centre for equestrian activity. Before 1992, it was operated by the Werribee Park Corporation and was used by the Victorian Polo Association and the Equestrian Federation of Australia, Victorian Branch. In 1992, the facility was leased for 21 years to the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre Inc. This association comprises representatives of these two bodies. Prince Charles once played polo at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.[2]
[edit] Werribee Open Range Zoo
Werribee Open Range Zoo is one of three zoos run by Zoos Victoria. It contains animals from Africa such as rhino, giraffe, antelope, zebra, lions and hippo.[3]
[edit] Shadowfax Winery
Located on the grounds of Werribee Park, Shadowfax Vineyard and Winery produces a wide range of wines including the One Eye Shiraz, a wine produced from the oldest Shiraz vines in Heathcote's Cambrian soil.[4]
[edit] References
- The Weekend Australian, February 25-26, 2006, Travel 3.
