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Farm Viganò

Acknowledgment

Farm Viganò sits on Crown Land which remains unceded by its traditional owners the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung. We intend to confront the colonial history of the sites under our management and make genuine steps towards reconciliation.

The Property

Farm Viganò is a link to the emergence of Italian culture in Melbourne – of food, music, art and family, and is a crucial tie to the life of the influential Viganò’s who used the property as an escape from their busy Mario’s restaurant on Exhibition Street in Melbourne. The extensive site includes a large home, caretaker’s cottage, chicken coop, sheds, tennis court, grounds, gardens, an orchard and a modern health facility that opened in 2011.

We began managing Farm Viganò in 2005, undertaking extensive works to revitalise the badly neglected and vandalised buildings and, with support from the community, saving the property from possible demolition.

Current Use

  • The Vigano house is currently leased by the popular Farm Viganò Italian restaurant which caters for casual dining, weddings and events.
  • DPV Health operates a health facility in the modern building near the site’s entrance.

Visiting the site

  • Farm Viganò has onsite parking available during the restaurant's and DPV Health's opening hours. It is a 20-minute walk (or a 6-minute bike ride) from Middle Gorge Railway Station on the Mernda line.
  • The Orchard and Tennis Court at the property are open for the community to use for free.
  • Farm Viganò Restaurant operates in the Viganò house and adjoining terrace from Wednesday to Sunday.
  • The property is located within the broader Plenty Gorge Parklands, so please take care of the wildlife, and watch out for snakes.
  • Parts of the site are steep and can be challenging to walk around. Please take care.