about Olinda Yarra Estate
Welcome to Olinda Yarra Estate
Welcome to Olinda Yarra Estate, a family owned and managed heritage venue that overflows with rustic charm, beauty and has something for everyone.
Olinda Yarra Estate is owned by Shelley Hughes and her partner ‘Farmer Rob’ and they are the fifth owners so far in its 150 year history.
In its day Olinda Yarra Estate was the most significant and advanced dairy and played host to many events, markets and fundraisers inviting locals and communities from near and far to enjoy. This needed to happen again, so in 2018 Shelley and Farmer Rob decided to share Olinda Yarra Estate’s heritage and opened the gates for truly amazing wedding and private function experiences.
unique place in history
Our Rich History
Renowned as once being the largest and most advanced Dairy Cattle Farm in the region, Olinda Yarra Estate was founded in 1868 by John Kerr. John purchased 1,500 acres of semi swamp land on the river flats near Yarra Glen naming it Olinda Yarra Estate – from the properties Yarra River and Olinda Creek frontage.
Later in 1870 John married Elizabeth Macintyre (daughter of Thomas Macintyre) and they grew to a large family with 10 children living in the
Homestead, a custom built Edwardian/Queen Anne villa. The Kerr Family were true pioneers.
John cultivated the land and successfully grew good pasture to feed his large dairy herd. By 1880 he had milking sheds covering about a quarter of an acre and a staff of 17 to help send 200 gallons of milk to Melbourne daily, using the old Yering Railway Station located near the farm entrance for transport.
The iconic Railway Bridge located on Olinda Yarra Estate is one of the few remaining structures that showcases this transportation corridor.
