Eaglemont historic homestead walk
Eaglemont historic homestead walk
Take a walk in Eaglemont to get a glimpse of the bush setting that inspired the Heidelberg School of Artists. The suburb is home to many historic houses as well as innovatively designed modern ones.
Summary
Take a walk in Eaglemont to get a glimpse of the bush setting that inspired the Heidelberg School of Artists. The suburb is home to many historic houses as well as innovatively designed modern ones.
Description
This walk uses information from the Victorian Heritage Database and highlights a few historic homes in the area.
Please be discreet when viewing these houses and respect the privacy of residents. The walk is also quite hilly.
For a full list of heritage listed houses and detailed description of each house, visit the Victorian Heritage Database.
The Database notes that Eaglemont (originally named Mount Eagle estate) is of historical significance for various reasons:
1. For its associations with Chicago-born architects Walter Burley Griffin (1876-1937) and Marion Mahony Griffin (1871-1961), leading figures in twentieth century architectural history.
Their works were infused with progressive environmental and philosophical ideals, evident in such town planning projects as Canberra (1911), Leeton, NSW (1914), Griffith, NSW (1914), and garden suburb projects such as Castlecrag in Sydney (1924) and the Ranelagh Estate, Mount Eliza (1924) (VHR1605).
2. For its association with the famous 'Heidelberg School' of impressionist painting which originated in the area, whose members included Tom Roberts (1856-1931), Charles Conder (1868-1909), Arthur Streeton (1867-1943), and Frederick McCubbin (1855-1917).
Many of their most significant works were painted in the Heidelberg and Eaglemont area in 1889 and 1890 when Streeton was living in an old cottage, now demolished, which was on what is now Summit Drive on the Mount Eagle Estate. It was at this cottage that Streeton and his fellow artists planned the 9 by 5 Impressionists Painting Exhibition held in Melbourne on August 17, 1889.
3. As an essentially intact example of garden suburb planning by the Griffins. The estate with its distinctive long curved roads, internal reserves, and spacious triangular traffic islands, is a fine example of a residential subdivision designed to harmonise with the topography and indigenous vegetation of the area. The environmental concerns and principles evident in the design were ahead of their time.
The design of the estate, through its layout, vistas, and planting, responds to the natural beauty of the area. The internal reserves, providing both a haven for indigenous vegetation and wildlife as well as safe and natural playgrounds for children, embody the principles espoused by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin.
30800 Views
Points of Interest
1. Heidelberg Artists' Trail
A brief description of Arthur Streeton and his work 'Autumn' (also known as 'Eaglemont'). For the full Artists' Trail - visit http://www.artiststrail.com.au/ Below fuller description of 'Autumn'.
2. Eaglemont shops
A pleasant shopping strip constructed between 1920 - 1960s. On Silverdale Road, there are 2 heritage listed Eucaplytups trees that are approx 200 years old - see if you can spot them.
3. Impressions of Eaglemont Village circa 1930
Unveiled in 2004, the mural depicts the streetscape of the area.
4. Tribute to the Heidelberg School of Artists
Gives an impression of what the area looked like before urbanisation.
5. Roadside planting
A walk along this secret trail is a delight, thanks to community members who have planted the native bushes and tended to the seedlings on warm days!
6. Bridge
Beware of traffic at this junction as drivers tend to speed through or around the corner. Although many pedestrians and cyclists use this area, the intersection has been a hazard for many years.
7. Odenwald Road
Literally 'old world', the road is shady with many impressive Eucalypts and other trees lining the street.
8. To Albert Jones Reserve
Eaglemont is a hilly area so enjoy the down hill walk while you can!
9. Albert Jones Reserve
Albert Jones was a local resident that set aside the land for the reserve when it was threatened by development many years ago. It has a lovely playground but no bins so please take your litter home.
10. Delbridge House, 55 Carlsberg Road
One of the most extraordinary and intact ultra-modern homes of the 1950-60s, the floating structure and all-glass appearance, was achieved only by daring structural engineering.
11. Desbrowe Annear House - 38 The Eyrie
Built in 1903, the house was designed by Harold Dsebrowe Annear, one of Australia's leading and most innovative Arts and Crafts architects of the early twentieth century.
12. Heidelberg School of Art
'The Heidelberg School' refers to artists in the 19th century who were inspired by the beautiful landscapes of the Yarra River and the unique light that typifies the Australian bush.
13. Chadwick House - 32-34 The Eyrie
Designed by Desbrowe Annear, Chadwick House incorporated Modernist ideas and Medieval-inspired design principles and was influential in the developmentof the Art and Crafts movement in Australia.
14. Steps
The road now turns into a pocket park full of bushes and trees. Follow the path down the steps for a walk amongst the trees. This will take you to the next house.
15. Officer House (55 Outlook Drive)
The third of Desbrowe Annear's designs, Officer House is of architectural significance as a particularly good example of a work displaying the early expressions of modern architecture in Australia.
16. Lookout
A good spot to lookout towards the Yarra river and Bullen Park and imagine what the landscape used to look like.
17. HIlls
The hills are an excellent workout. Imagine how fit you would be if you walked this area every day!
18. Burnley Griffin Place
Named after Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who advocated garden city planning and the idea of a neighbourhood as a physical and social planning unit.
19. The Righi Reserve
A lovely playground with plenty of shade. Perfect for a picnic.
20. The Eagles - 32 Eaglemont Crescent
An unusual and eclectic inter-War villa with many distinctive details including vermiculated rendered panels, elliptical arched entrance porch, wrought iron balustrading and leadlighted windows.
Features
Public Transport
Playground
Picnic spot
Seating available
Historical interest
Local treasures
Art and culture
Park / Garden
