Historical information

The Fortuna Villa is an expansive Victorian mansion built entirely on the profits of Bendigo's lucrative gold reefs. Established by the wealthy Ballerstedt family in the 1860s, it was purchased and expanded in the 1870s by George Lansell, who was to become one of Australia's wealthiest men. Fortuna villa and gardens were once occupied and cared for by the Australia Army Survey Regiments since 1942 for over thirty years.

Physical description

Classification Report and Notes on the history of Fortuna from the National Trust to the Bendigo Council 20th October 2008; tourist brochure for Fortuna; it includes photographs and detailed history of George Lansell's involvement in the property and his mining history.