Historical information

Bishops Palace was built in 1877 as the home for the first Catholic Bishop of Ballarat. Designed by Melbourne architect, Joseph Reed, of Reed and Barnes, it was built by George Broom at a cost of £6,000.


Reed and Barnes also designed Melbourne’s State Library, Ripponlea Estate and the Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building. The original heritage-listed gold lead stencilled paintwork that can be seen in the front entry and on the staircase walls at Bishops Palace was replicated in the Royal Exhibition Building.

The original property was 140 squares set on 11 acres of gardens and took up an entire block of Sturt Street. This was on scale with the importance of Ballarat as a gold-mining centre at the time.

Bishop's Palace is of architectural, aesthetic and historical significance to the State of Victoria. The two-storey bluestone mansion is an impressive example of 19th-century Gothic architecture with an unusual design. It retains many of its original features, including lead stencilled paintwork, cornices, ceiling roses, fixtures and fittings.

Since sold by the Catholic Church the Bishops Palace has undergone a number of transformations in its lifetime, from the home of the first Bishop to a private residence, and today, as a luxurious accommodation, wedding and events venue. The grounds were subdivided over the years, and the property is now surrounded by four of the original 11 acres of gardens. It opened its doors to the public in 2019.

Physical description

Colour image of the bluestone Bishop's Palace, and it's cast iron lace.