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Black Rock House

Architect: Becker and Fecker

Further Afield | F10

Black Rock House was built in 1856 for Charles Hotson Ebden (Victoria's First Auditor General). It is unique because Ebden – who wanted to build a Castle – had started out with quarried stone from Quiet Corner in Beaumaris, but the masons downed tools to rush to the Goldfields. He then built a weatherboard house with thick layers of sand to give the impression of stone. The house has four bedrooms, a Drawing Room and a Dining Room and a large hallway. A variety of wallpapers decorate the lath-and-plaster walls. It has a large cellar under bedrooms two and three. A walkway goes to the servants’ quarters – or ballroom, as we do know that Ebden entertained the soldiers before they set off for the Indian Mutiny, and also the ill-fated explorer Wills. The ballroom opens up to a courtyard and stables, while the old kitchen is also off the courtyard.

Need to Know

• Open: Sat & Sun 10am-4pm

• What's Open: All parts of the building

• Special Note: No food or drinks

• Tour Details: Tours at continuous, running for 30 minutes, in groups of 10

• Building Type: Cultural

• Facilities: Toilets, Food and beverage available

• Access: Able bodied access only

• Year Built: 1856-1958

• Transport: Bus routes 600, 922 and 923

• Tour Type: Guided, queue

Location