Mortimer’s Lodge

26/01/2025

31/12/2024

From January 1st 2025, the Victorian Labor Government are introducing a tax on tourists who stay in short term accommodation in Victoria. At Mortimer’s Lodge, we think this is unfair. Why should tourists pay for years of Government inadequacies and over-spending, particularly in metropolitan areas, and yet ignore rural and regional Victoria ?

So we will return this additional charge by offering all guests staying with us vouchers for the local Chiltern Bakery, complimentary wine and wine-tasting vouchers for Pfeiffer Wines. You win, Chiltern wins, punitive taxes lose. The value of these vouchers and wine are valued more than the tax. Visit Victoria, visit Chiltern. Stay at Mortimer’s Lodge !

13/11/2024

The cottage garden is starting to flourish in spring and shows off the garden art by local master craftsman, Busters rusty balls. If any of his Facebook followers wish to book Mortimer’s Lodge, mention ‘Buster’ in your booking and receive a free bottle of wine when you stay.
Go to www.mortimerslodge.com for more information and to book online.

30/05/2024

Today, while visiting Canberra, I popped by the statue of John McEwen, 18th Prime Minister of Australia, and son of David James McEwen, a previous owner of Mortimer’s Lodge and who brought the cottage in sections to Chiltern from Melbourne by bullock train, in 1895.

30/05/2024

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to visit the birthplace and home of David James McEwen, in Mountnorris, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. He left here in the late 1880’s, setting off for new fortunes in Australia. In Melbourne, he married Sarah (“Saidie”), also from Northern Ireland, who sadly died in 1893. Travelling with her brother John McMillen, he set off for Chiltern in 1895 to run the Pharmacy in Conness Street. He brought the cottage in sections by bullock train to where it sits today (Mortimer’s Lodge).

His home in Northern Ireland, Rosehill, still stands and is owned by the same family that bought it from the Presbyterian Church.

His father, William Henry McEwen, was the minister at that Presbyterian Church and I was lucky to see the church records, recording the baptism of David James McEwen, written in his own fathers handwriting. For some reason, his father chose to not record the date of his birth.

25/04/2024

Dawn Service this morning in Chiltern. Lest we forget.

01/03/2024

Looking forward to an early morning walk through the vines on Saturday 9th March.

Rezdy Online Booking

27/01/2024

Very honoured to be recognised by guests who’ve booked us through Booking.com

19/01/2024

We’re loving the verandah and garden at Mortimer’s Lodge right now, where the rustic garden art of Busters Rusty Balls mingles. Buster has many wonderful rusty garden items available and the ingenuity of how they are repurposed never fails to impress ! Check them out Busters rusty balls

01/01/2024

With so many of Mortimer’s Lodge previous owners having Northern Irish and Scottish ancestry, there’s only one way to see in the New Year….

24/12/2023

It’s a big night for the big fella in red and we saw him over the roof at Mortimer’s Lodge. Safe landings for you Santa and Merry Christmas to you all !