Government House Victoria

This historic building will host the Special Summit Leaders’ Retreat.

Built between 1872 and 1876, during the economic boom of the Gold Rush, Government House Victoria characterises the high standard of design and craftsmanship of public buildings built during that period. It remains the largest residential building in Australia:

• The Government House we have today was the third attempt by the Colonial Government at commissioning a design.
• The Government House complex including outbuildings has about 240 rooms.
• The gardens at Government House cover 11 hectares.
• The main building is about 3,035 square metres
• Most of the furniture was custom-made for the State Drawing Room around 1876, and the 19th century Steinway grand piano is still used.
• The State Dining Room table is almost the length of a cricket pitch and seats up to 54 people.
• The Governor’s Standard is flown from the Government House tower, and at the front gates at Government House, when the Governor is in the State of Victoria. The Governor’s Standard is also flown on the vehicle in which the Governor is travelling.

• The State Ballroom is longer than the one at Buckingham Palace.
• Only ever used by the Monarch or the Monarch’s representative, the State Chair in the Ballroom was made around 1859 and has been used by all of the State’s Governors since Sir Henry Barkly.
• Three original crystal chandeliers, by Oslers of Birmingham who supplied Buckingham Palace, are striking features of the Ballroom. Converted from gas to electricity, the chandeliers each have more than 1,000 pieces of crystal.
• The Ballroom first acquired its distinctive blue colour scheme during redecoration works by Paterson Brothers in 1889, for the arrival of Lord and Lady Hopetoun.

Further information

Office of the Governor Victoria
info@govhouse.vic.gov.au