Yesterday I told you I was doing 3 posts on Heronswood, and this is the second. Today, I thought we could look at the house that was built in the 1870s. The Diggers Club takes care of the house and the gardens. They also have a Garden shop and Nursery there as well.
The house wasn’t as big as I thought it would be, as these places are often massive mansion types, but it looked like a great place to live in. The views of the bay would be incredible, too. You could see the bay from many places in the gardens, so I guess the views from the house would be good too, especially from the top.
I tried to find information about the house, but there isn’t a lot. You would think if it were a National Trust property, you would be able to find stuff. So let’s see. The house was built for Professor William Edward Hearn, who was an Irish Law Professor, I believe. Edward La Trobe Bateman designed it, so he was the architect, but he also designed the landscape around it.
I also found this on Wikipedia.
Heronswood is a heritage-listed house located in Dromana, on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. Classified by the National Trust of Australia and open to the public, the house, completed in the Gothic Revival style, is listed on the Australian Heritage Places Register, and the Victorian Heritage Register.
The house is located at 105 Latrobe Parade, Dromana, directly above the beach where Captain Matthew Flinders landed on 27 April 1802.
So that adds more to the story of the house. I don’t know when it stopped being a home, but if I find out, I will let you know.
There is a cafe inside with seating, and tables are also outside. It is nice that you can go inside, even if you are limited in where you can go.
We did go all the way around the house, so here are those photos. Such a wonderful blue stone building.
So I have a collection of images for you, and don’t forget tomorrow’s post is all the photos I took of the gardens around the house.
On another note, the photos from this post and tomorrow were all done with ON1 Photo Raw 2026, which was just released. I’m still finding out what you can do with it, but I will be doing more posts on it soon.

One of my favourite places. 😊
I can understand why, 😊😊
You’re right, the views from this house are lovely! It’s a shame you couldn’t see more of the inside as what you did see and photograph looks very cosy 🙂
They are great. It is disappointing, it was nice to be able to see some. Thank you Sarah.
What a lovely building. It looks to be very tranquil there.
I’m sure it is, but it was so windy it didn’t seem tranquil, I will have to go back another time, lol. Thank you Laura.
So you have the National Trust too! This handsome place looks a worthwhile part of its portfolio.
Yeah we do, we are very British here, more so than I people realise. I agree, it is worthwhile. Thank you Margaret.
Beautiful photos, Leanne. I sure would love to tour that house!
Thank you Jean. Yeah, it is a shame don’t they do tours, other places have tours.
Beautiful house Leanne. It’s unusual that they don’t have much information on it. I’m looking forward to seeing the grounds.
Isn’t it Anne. I found that weird too, I didn’t dig around really hard, but still, it isn’t usually that hard to get inforamation. Thank you Anne.
So lovely. The stone and the roof style are charming.
They are, it seems like it would have been a great home. Thank you Rebecca.
The house is pretty, but the views look incredible.
I have to agree Lois, they are amazing. Thank you.
it’s beautiful and well cared for
It is, I like when they do that, thanks Beth.