Duneira was first established in 1872 by pastoralist Suetonius Officer as a summer retreat. At 820 Meters above sea level, Duneira offers visitors a unique insight into the lives and ambitions of the wealthy during colonial times in Australia. Having survived the devastating bushfires of 1983, its grand residence and significant gardens have remained surprisingly intact. It is considered to be the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the small collection of original ‘hill stations’ developed by people of wealth and commerce during the 1870s. During the 1890s the Reid family acquired Duneira and for 50 years brought more perennial style plantings into the garden and it was during the Reid’s time at Duneira the “Secret Garden” was established.. The Reids also added to the tree specimens, many of which are listed on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees of Victoria. The 1920s was the age of the plant hunter and a fierce competition grew amongst the hill station owners to see who could obtain the rarest and most exotic plants. In the 1940s Betty Alcock was gifted Duneira as a wedding present from her father George Nicholas. During this time she planted over 150 different varieties of Rhododendrons, which today are tree-sized and outstanding when in flower.