A Luxe 48-Hour Getaway
Just a stone’s throw from Melbourne, yet a world away from city chaos, Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park blends historic grandeur with modern luxury as effortlessly as a fine wine pairs with artisanal cheese.
Set across 10 sweeping hectares, this 19th-century Italianate mansion is the crown jewel of Werribee Park, a playground of stately architecture, blooming gardens, fine wine, and open-range wildlife safaris.
Spend your days wandering lavish halls and manicured lawns, sipping cool-climate drops at nearby Shadowfax Winery, or channelling your inner Attenborough at the neighbouring Werribee Open Range Zoo. Then retreat to Lancemore’s elegant rooms, the luxury L.M. Spa, peaceful library, or the show-stopping indoor pool housed within a glass conservatory that even Gatsby would envy.
Whether you're strolling exotic gardens, indulging in gourmet delights, or snapping giraffes mid-stride, this 48-hour escape is where timeless elegance meets wild adventure—and every moment is worth raising a glass to.
Day 1
Afternoon: Settle in and Explore
Check in from 2 pm. After you’ve flung your suitcase dramatically onto your plush king-sized bed and marvelled at your new home-away-from-home, it’s time to head outdoors and stretch those travel-weary legs. The sprawling Werribee Park estate is your backyard now—and what a backyard it is. Step out into the storybook setting and wander through the mansion’s ten hectares of immaculate gardens, where exotic trees, native plants, and imposing palms coexist in harmony. Discover the intricately designed grotto and the serene ornamental lake, perfect spots for reflection or a picnic.
Next, let the scent of 5,000 roses lure you into the award-winning Victoria State Rose Garden. Spanning six acres and laid out in the shape of a Tudor Rose, this floral wonderland dazzles from spring through autumn and is lovingly tended by a small army of over 100 volunteers.
Keep strolling and you’ll stumble upon where the real work once happened—the original farmyard. Here, the historic bluestone outbuildings still stand proud, offering a rustic contrast to the splendour up the hill. Nearby, the heritage orchard, lovingly restored, tells the story of the estate’s pastoral roots—apple trees and all. It’s beauty, history, and a bit of botanical time travel, all in one afternoon.
Note – You’ll have plenty of time to tour through the Mansion (see Day 2 – Afternoon). Depending on the season, ‘last entry’ times apply.
Dinner: Joseph’s Dining
As the sun dips behind the grand old mansion and casts long golden shadows across the gardens, it’s time to reward your appetite and seduce your tastebuds. Head inside to Joseph’s Dining – where the wine flows freely, and the menu reads like a love letter to local Victorian produce.
Named in honour of the Catholic Seminary that once stood in its place and overlooking the spectacular manicured gardens in the shadow of our historic mansion, Joseph’s delivers a dining experience as opulent as its surroundings.
Kick things off with an elegant entrée - perhaps the pan-seared Hokkaido scallops that practically moonwalk across your tongue, or a chicken, leek, and truffle terrine, or Otway pork belly. The mains don’t hold back either. Picture: Cape Grim scotch fillet with Béarnaise butter or spiced duck breast drizzled in truffle honey, or Barramundi with fennel puree - dishes that could silence even the most chatty dinner guest. And don’t forget to leave room for dessert!
With over 200 wines to swirl, sip, and savour, you’re spoiled for choice—and by the end of the night, chances are you’ll be toasting the chef, the view, and your excellent life choices.
Day 2
Morning: Werribee Open Range Zoo
Rise, shine, and fuel up with a hearty breakfast at Joseph’s—because today, you’re heading into the wild. Just a short complimentary shuttle ride from the hotel lies the Werribee Open Range Zoo, where your African adventure begins without the need for a passport or anti-malaria pills.
Climb aboard the open-range safari bus and cruise through savannah landscapes teeming with animals from Africa and around the globe. Get your camera ready for photo ops of zebras, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, ostriches, plus Asian wild horses and North American bison. With expert guides narrating the journey, you’ll get up close to some of the world’s most endangered and iconic animals… without a cage in sight!
Then hit the walking trails and get face-to-face with lions, cheeky monkeys, curious meerkats, hippos wallowing in their wetland retreat, and one of the largest gorilla exhibits on the planet. But the real showstopper? The brand-new Elephant Trail - a 21-hectare mega habitat (that’s five MCGs!) where nine Asian elephants now live their best lives. Complete with pools, sandpits, barns, and elevated crossings, it’s basically an elephant luxury resort.
Just remember to bring comfy shoes - and your sense of wonder.
Lunch: Shadowfax Winery
After your wild morning at the zoo, it’s time to trade cheetahs for chardonnay, meerkats for mataro, and lions for a long, lazy lunch. Thankfully, Shadowfax Winery is just a short stroll from the hotel within the Werribee Park precinct… so no designated driver required!
Established in 2000, this boutique winery is known for its handcrafted cool-climate wines - elegant pinot noir, zesty chardonnay, and the Werribee-grown Minnow range that’s full of character. Start with a guided tasting at the cellar door, where the friendly team will introduce you to their signature drops, then grab a seat in the restaurant for a Mediterranean-style feast. Dive into wood-fired pizzas, cheese platters, and the chef’s four-course ‘feed me’ sharing menu, plus a selection of entrees, mains, sides, and sweets
On weekends, the courtyard hums with live music, the clinking of glasses, and the quiet contentment of guests who’ve made the very wise choice to stay for the legendary tiramisu.
Afternoon: Explore Werribee Mansion
After lunch, take a step back—way back—into the pages of a grand colonial drama. Werribee Park Mansion isn’t just a building…it’s a 60-room time machine wrapped in Renaissance Revival magnificence. Built in the 1870s by wool tycoons Thomas and Andrew Chirnside, this palatial home was their extravagant ode to wealth, ambition, and high society, with just a hint of heartbreak.
Wander through regal halls adorned with Minton tile floors, ornate plasterwork, Corinthian columns, chandeliers, and enough mahogany to make a lumberjack weep. Peer into drawing rooms where corseted ladies once gossiped over tea, and imagine the grandeur of fox hunts, garden parties, and candlelit banquets under soaring ceilings.
But the glamour masks a melancholy tale—of fortunes fading, secrets kept, and the eventual decline of the aristocracy dream. After stints as a seminary and near abandonment, the mansion was saved by public passion and restored to its former glory by the Victorian Government in the 1970s..
Film buffs might recognise the mansion’s stately interiors from Miss Fisher, Winchester, and other screen hits. Today, it’s a fascinating mix of museum, movie set, and magnificent relic – where Downton Abbey meets the Aussie bush.
Evening: Dinner & Drinks
As your final evening at Werribee Park unfolds, you’ve earned the right to keep indulging - whether that means lounging in your robe with room service and a movie,or heading downstairs to Joseph’s Lounge and Bar for a few tasty bites and a nightcap.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling adventurous, venture into town and explore Werribee’s growing food and drink scene. Start with the Bridge Hotel, a beautifully restored 1920s art-deco pub reimagined with modern flair. Expect juicy steaks, golden parmas, cold tap beer, and a buzz of live music—especially on the weekends when locals flock in for footy, food, and fun.
If craft beer and barbecue are calling your name, The Park Werribee delivers in spades with over 30 beers on tap, a custom-built smoke pit, and an energetic beer garden that buzzes with DJs, disco nights, and Sunday sessions.
Or, for something more refined, stroll riverside to Corked Wine Bar, where fine wines meet charcuterie boards and expert staff guide you through the good drops - glass by glass.
Day 3
Morning: Local Markets
Start your final day with something delightfully local: a treasure hunt through Werribee’s buzzing market scene. Try the Wyndham Makers and Farmers Market (third Sunday at Werribee Racecourse), the rotating Station Place Mini Market (Thursdays), seaside charm at Wyndham Harbour Craft Market, or local produce from the Wyndham Grocery Pop-Up. And if you time your visit right, don’t miss the Cheeky Monkey Market, Werribee Craft Festival, or the glowing winter spectacular of the Firefly Night Market.
Lunch: Just One More for the Road
Before you set the GPS for home and wave goodbye, treat yourself to one last slice of local adventure.
The Elements Coastal Activity Park is a breezy day-cation gem with mini golf tucked into native gardens, a timber playground, and marina views perfect for one last holiday snap. Grab a barista-made coffee or lunch at 3030 Boulevard Waterfront.
Aviation fans (and Top Gun wannabes) can take flight at the RAAF Museum in Point Cook. It’s Australia’s first military air base, packed with vintage aircraft, flying displays, and a hangar full of history.
If the kids (or grown-ups) still have energy to burn, AquaPulse delivers wave pools, waterslides, and a strong chance of soggy car seats. Or swing by Strike Bowling or Holey Moley, where bowling balls, putt-putt, and cheeky cocktails combine for one last laugh.
Stroll through Wyndham Park - a leafy riverside haven with winding trails, shady Red Gums, BBQ spots, and epic playgrounds with flying foxes, climbing frames, waterplay zones, and an 11-metre slide tower that’ll make even grown-ups jealous. In summer, the lawns buzz with concerts and festivals—because who says the weekend has to end quietly?
School Holidays, Solved: The Little Explorers Experience
If your kids have the energy of a shaken-up soda can, the Little Explorers package at Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park is your golden ticket to surviving the school holidays in style. Young adventurers are welcomed like VIPs-in-training and handed an explorer’s kit on arrival. Imagine maps, missions, and mischief—before setting off on treasure hunts through the enchanting gardens like mini Marco Polos. They can cruise the grounds in pint-sized Audi and BMW cars (a sight cuter than a kitten in sunglasses), while evenings are capped with cozy movie and popcorn nights. Mealtimes are a treat too, with children dining for free, allowing them to explore new flavours. They’ll also be treated to a special ‘pamper and polish’ at the L.M Spa.
Written By: Craig Sheather
