Phar Lap Tree Cottage - An Autumn Retreat with Breakfast Included

The Phar Lap Tree Cottage is a unique experience of relaxation & heritage. Situated on one acre of beautiful landscaped gardens. The Cottage is a perfect hideaway to relax, savour the local bird life and surrounding gardens, enjoy the stunning sunsets from your elevated decking, or use the Cottage as a base to explore the Greater Geelong area, the Bellarine Peninsula, Torquay or the Great Ocean Road all at your doorstep.

The Phar Lap Tree Cottage is situated at the Victorian Heritage listed St Albans Stud Horse Burials.

The Cottage is an enchanting one-bedroom guest house, meticulously and affectionately created to cater for your every comfort.

Sink into on the plush queen-size bed adorned with fresh quality linen. The separate bathroom with shower is complete with the provision of towels, shampoo, conditioner & body wash for your convenience.

The kitchen is equipped with microwave oven, full size electric oven/cooktop (4 zoned), kettle, toaster & a full size fridge. It is stocked with all the condiments you will need to make your own meals.

Breakfast is complimentary - your supplies include; free range eggs laid on the property by our beautiful chickens, bread for toasting, a selection of spreads being honey, vegemite and peanut butter. Also supplied is muesli, wheatbix and corn flakes, milk, butter, tea, sugar & instant coffee.

The living area encompasses a dining table, cosy 3-seater sofa, 2 recliner chairs and LCD TV. You will have free access to WiFi . There is a split system for heating & cooling as well as a fan in the bedroom to ensure your comfort. A portable clothes drying rack is also provided.

Step outside onto the private deck where you can unwind and admire the vista while listening to the symphony of native bird life. Our beautiful Jack Russells may pay you a visit. The lounge and outside seating offers you the opportunity to dine alfresco amidst the fresh country air whist enjoying a stunning sunset whist admiring the Phar Lap Tree.

Follow the sunset by relocating the 2 deck chairs around the cottage gardens to maximise your experience,

9 Melbourne Cup winners were bred at St Albans Stud & some of the most significant stallions in Australia’s bloodstock history lay under the Phar Lap Tree in peace.

St Albans Stud was also where Phar Lap's trainer, Harry Telford, sent Phar Lap to shelter the horse after the 1930 Melbourne Cup favourite survived a shooting on the morning of Derby Day.

Phar Lap shook off the death scare on the Saturday morning to win the Mackinnon Stakes, and then in the early hours of Sunday morning was sent to Geelong after Telford asked the stud’s owner, Guy Raymond, for permission to hide the horse there.

According to a book called The Melbourne Cup, written by Maurice Cavanough, rumours swirled in the racing world of Phar Lap’s whereabouts.

The champion was then nearly late to Flemington on Cup morning after the truck towing his float took an hour-and-a-half to start, but the race was delayed 15 minutes, allowing Phar Lap to arrive before the start and claim the biggest win of his career, pulling off a plunge to the loathing of bookmakers, and providing punters with joy during the depths of the Great Depression.

Phar Laps 1930 Melbourne Cup win is regarded as the greatest win in Australia horse racing history.

The day before the Melbourne Cup, Phar Lap ran the St Albans Stud track in preparation. The Phar Lap Tree is situated in close proximity to the track. See contained photo. Phar Laps stablemate before the 1930 win was Freeman. Freeman is buried under the Phar Lap Tree, along with the Cottage being situated in a Court named after her.

Champion throughbred horses including former St Albans Stud owner James Wilson’s foundation mares Mischief and Musidora, and the 1876 Melbourne Cup winner Briseis (a member of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame) and a winner of the Melbourne Cup, the Oaks and the Derby all in the same week of 1876, are buried under the Phar Lap Tree

“At the side of the track for all conviences well-cared for, before which all racing men stop and think back, Here lies Musidora sleeps the sleep that knows no waking. Near her too, is the last resting place of Briseis, James Wilson’s famous mare, who carried the black jacket and white cap to victory in the Derby and Cup of 1876. First King lies under the turf a little further away and others whose doings are writ on the racing scroll of fame (the Turf Register) are all near at the hand in this “haven under the hill”
The Week: St Albans Estate and Stud 1895

Between 2019 and 2023 The Phar Lap Tree and Burials were at risk from a proposed subdivision development. The neighbourhood successfully saved the Tree and Burials through a highly publicised VCAT Trial in which the proposed subdivision was declined.

It was a monumental win for the neighbourhood with the Tree and Burials remaining undisturbed and its history available for future generations to appreciated and attend in person.

The history of the "Phar Lap Tree" is readily available on the Internet for all guests to see and obtain an understanding before visiting.

Aligning the Cottages Walls are news articles for your understanding of the Phar Lap Tree and the fight undertaken to save the Tree and burials from being disturbed.

Book your stay at the Phar Lap Tree Cottage, where relaxation, exploration and delectable experiences await you. Embrace the essence of South West Victoria in unparalleled comfort with Heritage and History at your doorstep.

Guest access
Enter the driveway of the main house and Kevin will greet you with the keys to the Cottage.

A copy of the booking Guests Photo ID is required prior to check in, or a copy can be taken when you arrive.

You will then continue through the gates and in front of you the Phar Lap Tree Cottage awaits. Please park next to the Cottage. The Cottage will be open for your arrival. Its time for you to relax.

For Insurance and Safety reasons the guests are requested to remain near the Cottage once on the property.

Your host "Kevin" and his 2 teenage daughters have many animals on the property. Kevin and his daughters are happy to introduce you to them, but initially Kevin requests he be present to ensure all goes well.

Once you have settled into the Cottage. Kevin is happy to show you the Phar Lap Tree and animals.

The Cottage has private gardens 10 metres all around the Cottage, for guests to relax in privacy from the main house.

Other things to note:
Minimum 2 night stay.
Minimum 3 night stay – for long weekends.
Discounted rates for longer term stays.

Check-in after 3pm
Check-out before 11am

Our property access is not suitable for vehicles that are towing. If you are towing a caravan or trailer, there is safe parking on the quiet nature-strip out the front of the main house

No pets
No parties or events
2 people maximum

Important note: Our property is not suitable for children under 12 due to the open deck & access to animals on the property. Children must be supervised at all times.

10 mins travel by car or bus to Geelong CBD and Waterfront . Bus service being Bus Route 31, with a Bus stop 100 metres away.

20 mins to Torquay and Barwon Heads – Our closest swimming beaches and an array of eateries & shops to suit your fancy.

20 mins to the wineries of the Bellarine Peninsula and Mt Duneed Estate

30 minutes to the Anglesea Chocolate Factory

40 mins to The Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch

300 metres from the Barwon River the Geelong Water Ski Club

10 minute walk to Reedy Lake and its Fauna and Flora experiences.

10 minute walk to the Historic St Albans Park Homestead and Gatehouse which is a further 5 minutes further