Welcome to Beleura

Beleura offers something for everyone interested in history, art, gardens and music.

Beleura is a state-listed 19th Century heritage house set amidst five hectares of gardens and includes a music recital centre. The House is exceptional for its collection and includes the original furnishings of its last owner John Tallis.

Visitors to Beleura must pre book a tour or concert. Visitors cannot arrive without booking.

The Beleura Story

Let me tell you a little about Beleura, a theatre of the past…

Beleura was built on the Mornington Peninsula in 1863 by Scottish immigrant and successful merchant James Butchart. Today Beleura and its splendid grounds, interiors and archival material reflect the life and legacy of the Tallis family.

Composer John Tallis lived here for 48 years and bequeathed Beleura to the people of Victoria. Beleura retains echoes of his late father, Sir George Tallis, the well-known theatre entrepreneur and Chairman of international entertainment company JC Williamson Ltd.

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The House & Gardens

Over its 160 year history Beleura has been a farm, a family home, a school, a Governor’s residence and survived a developer’s subdivision. Sir George Tallis, Chairman of JC Williamson Ltd. purchased it for his family holiday home in 1916 and the house reflects the story of the Tallis family and composer John Tallis. More…

The Gardens have had a succession of designers and influences from Latrobe Bateman in the 1860s to Edna Walling and Desbroe Annear. They include original trees from 1863 as well as an Italian garden, an Asian garden and pavilion with a waterlily pond, a Temple of Ceres, a Floral Pavilion and a Hansel & Gretel garden. More…

Music at Beleura

Beleura hosts intimate concerts, from classical music to light opera and jazz, performed by some of Australia’s foremost musicians.

In partnership for four years, the Australian National Academy of Music presents performances by current outstanding musicians and Academy alumni in a Beleura concert series throughout the year.

Wilma Smith, Tony Gould and Richard Vaudrey curate Beleura’s music program in the genres of classical music, jazz and new music.

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Beleura’s Collections

Beleura includes an original collection belonging to the house reflecting the taste and interests of its successive owners. Countless homewares and household items in situ reveal how people lived in the past. These include a collection of automobiles, a commissioned piano by Stuart & Sons that pushes the boundaries of acoustic piano technology and the Klytie Pate Treasury containing Australia’s largest collection of ceramic work by 20th ceramicist Klytie Pate.

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Visit Beleura

Enjoy your time at Beleura with a tour of the House & Garden. All our tours include refreshments with morning or afternoon tea. Our full-day visitors also enjoy lunch.

Please note that all visitors must come on a pre booked tour. Unfortunately, we are not open for casual visitors who arrive without a booking. Visit our Tours page for more information.

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