MOUNT Rothwell Estate's old bluestone homestead comes with an abundance of character and charm.

The 121ha property, located at Little River between Melbourne and Geelong, boasts the huge Victorian-era mansion, originally built circa 1876.

    MOUNT ROTHWELL ESTATE
  • LITTLE RIVER
  • Property: lifestyle, cropping
  • Size: 121ha
  • Auction: April 22, 4pm , on site.
  • Price: $4 million-plus
  • Agent: Bruce Falk Property, Melbourne
  • Contact: (03) 9866 1414

The vendors bought the property two-and-a-half years ago with the intention of restoring and renovating the homestead.

"We bought it as our family home, the vendor said. "We absolutely fell in love with it.

"It was in pretty bad shape so we sort of re-did it from the ground up.

"It's a beautiful grand old dame and it's amazing to restore something that's just so special and magical.

"It's a privilege to be able to have restored it."

The homestead boasts 22 magnificent rooms and is divided into a main dining and entertaining area, a guest wing and what was traditionally servants' quarters.

Up to 10 of the rooms can be used as bedrooms.

The homstead was originally built by Robert Chirnside, the nephew of Werribee Park mansion owners Thomas and Andrew Chirnside, and was clearly built for entertaining.

It boasts an impressive billiards room and a stunning women's withdrawing room.

"The entire house is so magnificent," the vendor said.

"We've always loved period features and architecture but enjoyed giving it a bit of a modern edge.

"The place has so much character.

"Some rooms you sit there and it feels almost like the walls are talking to you and telling you all the stories of the past."

The 121ha of land attached to the property are sown to barley.

Extensive electric fencing guards the property from foxes and rabbits while also providing extra security.

Additional features of Mt Rothwell include two extra houses on site, an operational shearing shed, silos and two machinery sheds.

The property is a 35-minute drive from Melbourne's CBD.