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Our Story

“Leave everything better than you found it.” These are the words our family lives by.” – John J. Myers

The Royal Mail Hotel expresses the vision of a local Dunkeld family, who acquired the humble bluestone inn in the 1980s and, together with their surrounding farmland, transformed it to become one of Victoria’s most celebrated regional escapes.

Conservation and community are central to this story. For generations, the residents of Dunkeld have watched the magical light of golden hour sweep over Mount Sturgeon, filled their tables with home-grown produce, and supported each other through thick and thin in a manner unique to regional life.

At the Royal Mail Hotel, our intention is to preserve these traditions and welcome others to enjoy everything we cherish dearly about Dunkeld. We tell our story, the Dunkeld story, through Food, Wine, People & Place.

Our Philosophy

A union of Food, Wine, People & Place

A tribute to its history and natural environment, the Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld offers award-winning dining, premium accommodation, and one-of-a-kind food, wine and nature experiences just steps away from the spectacular Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.

History

A regional treasure, with roots reaching back to Dunkeld’s founding

The history of the Dunkeld township began in the 1840s, when a fertile run of 112,000 acres was recognised for its grazing potential and Mount Sturgeon Station – the tranquil location of our Homestead and Cottages – was established.

At the time, Dunkeld was a vital link to the Western District for the Cobb & Co Royal Mail Service, inspiring the name for the hotel’s original iteration, founded as a humble bluestone inn in 1855 offering accommodation, stabling, and a reception room.

The Royal Mail Hotel has remained central to community life in Dunkeld ever since and continues this legacy to date.

Mount Sturgeon Cottage
Becomes Victoria’s most celebrated regional escape

Since its refurbishment in 1997, the Royal Mail Hotel has expanded to encompass a vast range of accommodation, hosting up to 105 guests across deluxe suites with breathtaking views of Mount Sturgeon, newly-refurbished bluestone cottages set within the serene Mount Sturgeon Biodiversity Reserve, and the grand, six-bedroom Mount Sturgeon Homestead.

Home to two-hat fine dining restaurant Wickens, the most extensive working kitchen garden in Australia, and the largest collection of Bordeaux and Burgundy in the Southern Hemisphere, our devotion to excellence is matched only by our dedication to sustainability.

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Kitchen Garden
Our Awards

The Royal Mail Hotel has been awarded scores of esteemed accolades.

  • Two Chefs Hats — 2015 to 2022 The Age Good Food Guide
  • Top 10 & Best Wine List — 2015 to 2020 Delicious 100
  • The Grand Award — 2012 to 2022 Wine Spectator
  • Hall of Fame – Wine List of the Year and Country Restaurant List Australia’s Wine List of the Year
  • Hall of Fame – Victoria’s Best Deluxe Accommodation Hall of Fame RACV Victorian Tourism Awards
  • Best Long Wine List worldwide – 2021 UK-based ‘Fine Wine’ magazine awards
Dunkeld pastoral co

A leader in efficiency, productivity & sustainability in Australian agriculture.

Dunkeld Pastoral Co. Pty Ltd (DPC), the hotel’s parent company, participates in a wide range of conservation initiatives, including partnering in several threatened species recovery programs. Our conservation team are working to protect populations of species once endemic to the area, including; Eastern Quolls, Eastern Barred Bandicoots, Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies, Fat-tailed Dunnarts and Squirrel Gliders.

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Join us in beautiful Dunkeld, Vic
food,
wine,
people,
& place.
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Open Wednesday to Sunday – our phone lines are often busy, if your enquiry is not urgent please email us at relax@royalmail.com.au

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Aboriginal Flag

In the spirit of reconciliation, Royal Mail Hotel acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land we are on, the Gunditjmara and Eastern Maar Peoples and their elders past, present and future. Continue reading.

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