The Briars Homestead

In 1846, Alexander Balcombe occupied the land with a pastoral lease of 2000 hectares called Tichin-Gorourke – meaning ‘voice of many frogs’ in Boonwurrung language. He renamed the property ‘The Briars’ after his family’s home on the island of St Helena.

The Balcombe family had lived on the mid-Atlantic island where Alexander’s father William worked for the East India Company. When Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to St Helena in 1815 a close friendship was formed between the family and the emperor.

Continuing the Napoleonic association, Alexander Balcombe’s granddaughter Dame Mabel Brookes established a collection of Napoleonic memorabilia, some of which is displayed in the homestead, such as Bonaparte’s writing table.

After failing to find his fortune on the goldfields Alexander Balcombe farmed the land at The Briars and tended vineyards – experimenting unsuccessfully with wine production. Alexander’s descendants lived on the property until 1976.

The Briars is an extensive natural and heritage precinct with a visitor’s centre, wildlife sanctuary and wetlands, gardens, nursery, vineyard, café, restaurant, kiosk and picnic areas with free BBQs.

Please note this property is temporarily closed until further notice.