A VISIT TO TOORAK HOUSE | Home of The Swedish Church Of Melbourne

Toorak House, now the home of The Swedish Church in Melbourne, is the only surviving house built prior to the discovery of gold in Victoria.

Toorak House was originally built in 1849 by well-known Melbourne merchant, James Jackson, in the Italianate Victorian architecture style. When James Jackson died at sea in 1850, the property was leased by his wife to Charles Williamstown for a three-year period.

It was during this time that Governor C.J. La Trobe was endeavouring to obtain an improvement on his accommodation, and in 1854, the Victorian Government leased the house for use by the Governors of Victoria. This continued until 1874 with the lease negotiations allowing the Governor to live there until the new Government House was completed.

Toorak House, with its extensive grounds, reverted back to being a private house in 1876 and the house has had various owners over the years, even used as a WAAF hostel during the Second World War. It was purchased in 1956 by the Church of Sweden, with the house still very much the same as it was when Sir Charles Hotham occupied it in 1854.

Join The Friends for a guided Tour of the house, with a Swedish lunch to follow in the café now on site at The Swedish Church.

Toorak House | The Swedish Church of Melbourne | 21 St Georges Road Toorak 3142

Pre-booking is essential and further details will be provided in advance of the visit.

Image: Courtesy of Swedish Church