Lake Purrumbete is a maar, a broad, shallow volcanic crater formed by an explosive eruption. Much of the material ejected was ash or scoria (fragments of basalt rock), which fell nearby to form a raised rim around the crater, particularly on the eastern side. The crater has subsequently partly filled with water to form a lake of fresh water with an average depth of 45 metres.
Around the lake almost all the natural vegetation has been cleared and replaced by a cover of pasture grasses which support pastoral farming, much of it associated with the heritage listed Purrumbete Homestead, and providing an open, green backdrop for the lake.
From GZ you will be able to see in the far distance across Lake Purrumbete the Purrumbete Homestead. This is where brothers Peter, John and Thomas Manifold settled in 1841.
In 1842 they built a slab hut, and in 1857-1860 a large bluestone addition was built, part of which remains as the south east wing of the homestead. A Cellar was added under the entrance, drawing room and morning room and in 1884 a conservatory was constructed at the western end of the house.
The Great Hall - with its vaulted red cedar ceiling rising almost 10 metres, is overlooked by the fine blackwood carved frame of a minstrels' gallery. Melbourne artist Walter Withers painted the murals lining the upper walls in 1902. They depict the early settlement of Purrumbete by the Manifolds. The Great Hall is flanked by the music room, with adjoining "stage", and a dining room set for 20.
The house stayed in the Manifold family until the mid 70’s, and since then has had a number of owners that all tried their hand at farming.
The current owners keep it as their own museum and has been featured on Foxtels “Demolition Man”.
The cache is a small sistema container.
