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MELBOURNE | Marnong Estate is a historic homestead in Mickelham, located just a 15 minute drive from Tullamarine Airport. As part of a $35 million dollar plan, the 445 hectare property is set to become quite an attraction, with a wealth of things to see and do. We were invited to see the recently completed stage one, which includes a 250-seat restaurant, event space for 250 guests, and accommodation in the renovated 1840s homestead, originally the family home of William Angliss. Future plans include a petting zoo, farmer’s market, vineyard, microbrewery, coffee roasting house and day spa.
The site is also home to an operating Angus cattle farm, with around 650 heads of cows providing meat for the restaurant, Bankvale Run. Named after Bank Vale Run, one of the first large-scale land holdings in Victoria, the southwest part being where Marnong Estate lies, Bankvale Run offers a bistro-style menu of share plates and mains. It’s a lively, family-friendly space with a large open kitchen and massive floor to ceiling windows affording views of the expansive property and Macedon Ranges. You also get access to a large room with a TV, couches, coffee table, dining table and kitchenette with utensils.
Steak is a highlight, with the Angus beef aged between four to six weeks within humidity and temperature controlled chambers, which are there to see in the dining room. We opted for the 200g Black Angus Hangar and the 300g Black Angus Porterhouse. Both are full of flavour – the porterhouse is so tender that it’s like cutting through butter. while the hanger provides more intense flavour. The antipasto platter, which we enjoyed for lunch earlier in the day, is also great – especially the salami which is made on site.
From the non-steak portion of the menu we decided on one of the several wood fired pizzas on offer – the garlic and cheese, and a bowl of steamed mussels with tomato, chilli, garlic and grilled bread. Both were fantastic. The pizza crust is crispy and springy, with a generous amount of cheese and garlic. The mussels, meanwhile, are cooked perfectly, and the sauce is full of flavour – you might need to ask for more bread to mop it all up as you don’t want this sauce to go to waste. For dessert, it’s a few simple options – we went for the simple and fluffy chocolate mousse.
For drinks its mostly Australian and Italian wines, with three options from Marnong Estate itself, along with a mixture of local and international, mostly commercial lagers. As the winery and brewery come online, expect to see more of Marnong’s own wines, as well as craftier beer options appear.
There’s a large, light-filled function space next to the restaurant, and an even larger event space upstairs, with fantastic views across the property. Despite only opening a few month earlier, the upstairs space has proven so popular that Marnong have weddings booked all the way through to 2020.
If you want to stay overnight, you can choose from one of four twin-share suites: the Garden View Suite, Victorian Suite, Blue Stone Suite and Terrace Suite. They are all very grand looking, retaining much of the original features of the original homestead but with King Beds, full ensuites (no bath though) and all the contemporary luxuries you expect. You also get access
Marnong Estate might only be 15 minute drive from the airport, but apart from the occasional plan flying high overhead, it feels like you’re somewhere much further from Melbourne. It’s still early days, but if the quality of the food at the Bankvale Run restaurant and eagerness of the staff to make this place something special is anything to go by, it’s going to become quite the attraction as more of the facilities come online. As it stands currently, it’s still well worth visiting for a relaxing weekend day.
Marnong Estate
2335 Mickleham Road
Mickleham
Victoria 3604
Australia
Telephone: 1300 105 718
E-mail: [email protected]
Website