Birregurra 1865 Bed & Breakfast

Birregurra 1865 B&B—formerly named “The Native Youth Hotel”—invites you to enjoy luxury heritage Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a sympathetically restored historic building.

On offer is the choice of two generously sized and graciously appointed suites, each with full sized en-suites with separate showers, and theadded luxury of a cast iron bath. Guests also have full use of a separate guest lounge/dining room with an open wood fire.

Each suite has available as an option an adjoining room. One offering a queen sized bed for traveling companions, the second offering a fully equipped theatre room which also has the option of sleeping 2 extra travelling companions on the sofa bed.

Aside from the luxurious accommodation the town of Birregurra and surrounds provide all guests with a full range of activities and experiences. Only 30 minutes from Lorne and The Great Ocean Road Birregurra 1865 offers the peaceful ambiance of country life within easy reach of the coast.

The building has been on a journey.

Always it's seemed destined to host visitors to this unique region—from Cobb & Co to Native Youth Hotel; from coffee palace to boarding house, flats and private residence; from near demolition to luxury B&B accommodation.

Built in 1865 as a Cobb &Co coaching station between Lorne and Inverleigh, the building features two tone Flemish bond brickwork, built by John 'Brickie' Pell. Brickie Pell also built other landmarks including “Sunnybrae” (now named Brae), Elliminook, Ripple Vale, Happy Valley and Bushy Park in the same brickwork style during the 1860's and 1870's.

The Cobb & Co building was renamed “The Native Youth Hotel” and continued to satisfy the needs of the weary traveller until 1921, when (like most other informal watering holes in Victoria) it was de-licenced.

The Native Youth became a coffee palace then continued as a boarding house prior to world war II. At some stage it was divided into flats and operated as a rooming house until purchased by Lindsay McMahon in 1974.

Lindsay saved the building from demolition, purchasing the building for the value of bricks alone, reported to be less than $500. Lindsay, without funds and with help from many local identities commenced the process of halting any more decay and slowly restoring the building as his private residence.

The building was again sold in 1998 and remained vacant until the summer of 2010 when your hosts, Deidre and Chris Barter became the new owners. Dee and Chris used the place as a holiday destination for twelve months, until 2011 when, like so many other Melbournians made the permanent move to Birregurra.

After 12 years of being vacant the building was badly in need of again being saved, so begun the 2+ year process of restoration. One of the many challenges faced was to make the building structurally sound whilst preserving the integrity of the original build. Other objectives included achieving a 5+ energy star rating and to future proof the building for future generations.

The restoration has been a labour of love, and is now a place to share with family, friends and honored guests. We look forward to welcoming you to this slice of Australian history.