About Yambacoona House

Federation Home

Yambacoona House offers four bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a sunroom, a formal dining room, a lounge room, plenty of parking, and 17 acres to explore. Visit our Gallery to discover each space. 

It is the perfect destination for golfing groups, girls’ weekends, family reunions or couples looking for a connection with nature. Yambacoona comfortably sleeps up to eight people so there is plenty of room for your family and friends to spread out and relax. 

Ever since it’s construction in 1902, Yambacoona House has been a hub for people and their families thorough out the history of King Island. It was in the master bedroom (once the library), that Francis Stephenson read of the sinking of the Titanic, the outbreak of WW1, and informed his wife Jessie that he would be going to the Western Front in 1916.  

Sir Sydney Kidman has walked the hall, turned the doorknobs along with governor generals, government officials and generations of King Island families. This house has been everything from a home for the lords of Yambacoona Estate, to a telephone exchange and shop.  

In its heyday, Yambacoona House hosted balls, and sporting events from the football league to tennis. By the time Gordon’s family purchased Yambacoona House, those times we’re long gone. You can watch the restoration of Yambacoona House on ABC iview by clicking this link. 

Meet Your Host

Gordon McKenzie and his family are fourth generation King Islanders. 

Yambacoona House has been part of our family story since 1918 when my great great uncle worked for Australia’s cattle king, Sydney Kidman.  

Yambacoona House has always been a place that has resounded with the stories and lives of people. Our vision for Yambacoona House is to create a unique experience for our family and guests where people reconnect with people and recharge for another crack at the world.  

We’re at the start of our journey to replant the gardens with bird-friendly natives, rewild our 17 acres and create a place for fun, celebrations and connection. We want people to experience the old world of country Australia, but have the convenience of everything needed for a fantastic experience at the fingertip.  

We have big dreams for Yambacoona House and staying with us will be your contribution to our rewilding projects, conserving and keeping this piece of unique Australian heritage alive for our future generations to enjoy as much as we do.  

Thank you for joining us in the rebirth of Yambacoona House. We can’t wait to welcome you and make you a part of the story. 

Reconnect and Recharge

Through our package deals, or mix and match, you can book:  

  • Charter flights from Essendon, Barwon Heads, Avalon or Moorabbin airports 
  • Hire cars at King Island airport 
  • The Tucker Box to kick start your first days with great food, or have chefs come and prepare a feast fit for a King Island Cattle King! 
  • Accommodation at Yambacoona House for you and your party 
  • King Island beverages from our Honesty Bar featuring, beers from King Island brewery, and spirits from King Island distillers. 

We also offer our stay for 5, pay for 4 nights – on the house. Stay with us for Five nights, pay for Four and have the fifth on the house!!  

$495 per night when booking directly with us through our website. Should nature get in the way of your arrival, we guarantee either a refund or future nights for you at a time of your choosing. 

 

What Our Visitors Say

We stayed at Yambacoona House and enjoyed it immensely. The house has so much space, it is tastefully presented, and the peace and quiet is an absolute blessing from the noise of the world.

The house has multiple fireplaces to create warmth which flows throughout the house, and two bathrooms make it easy to accommodate for large groups.

For our gourmet meals at Yambacoona House we sourced our King Island beef, cheese, crayfish and fresh organic vegetables from The Garden. 

There is so much to see and do. Wildlife abounds around the property with interesting birds to be seen including peacocks, pheasants, turkeys, ducks, Cape Barren geese and swans, just to name a few. The resident wallabies are also a delight to watch.

Literally 5 minutes’ drive from Yambacoona House is one of the best beaches ever. Yellow Rock Beach has golden sand and faces a beautiful blue water bay. We fished and swam there almost daily.

Martha Lavinia, one of Australia’s best surf beaches, is on the east side of the island 15 minutes’ drive from away. While we don’t surf, it was great for walking and beachcombing.

Go north 15 minutes and you are at one of the most spectacular golf courses in Australia. Cape Wickham Links sits underneath the tallest lighthouse in the southern hemisphere. The lighthouse was made out of blocks of granite which were quarried just over the hill from where it stands. 

Absolutely love this place and will be back!!

Ben Patton – Tasmania, Australia