Montrose in Yarra Ranges Shire, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Robert Riddett's Cottage

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 18, 2026

1. Robert Riddett's Cottage Marker

Inscription. In 1877 plasterer Robert Riddett selected 134 acres of heavily timbered land on Mt Dandenong Road. He cleared 3 acres and set to work planting potatoes and English grasses and constructed a cottage 29 by 25 feet out of sawn timber with a shingle roof. Robert lived in the cottage with his wife Emma and their children.

Robert passed away in 1892 and Emma sold the property to Harriet and William Yeaman in 1903. The Yeaman's extended the cottage to house their family and later to operate it as a guesthouse for ladies called 'Mountain Rest'.

In 1980, the original four room Riddett cottage was discovered during the demolition of the guesthouse. With the help of the Lillydale Shire Council and Montrose Rotary Club the cottage was moved from its original location at 894 Mt Dandenong Road to its present site, where it has been restored.

(Picture Captions)
1. Tom Johnstone and son Ian recovered the historic cottage from inside the guesthouse, 1980
2. Dismantling the guesthouse, 1980
3. The cottage during transport to Montrose Town Centre, 1980
Photographs courtesy of of a Johnstone und Montrose Historical Society (now part of Lilydale & District Historical Society)

Erected by Victoria

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State Government and Yarra Ranges Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 37° 48.609′ S, 145° 20.646′ E. Marker is in Montrose, Victoria, in Yarra Ranges Shire. It is on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road (Victoria Route C415) 0.1 kilometers east of Leith Road ( Route C401), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 935 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Montrose VIC 3765, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sister Edith Wilson Yeaman (a few steps from this marker); Australian Nurses Memorial / Local Nurses that served in War (a few steps from this marker); Montrose Bricks in Demand (within shouting distance

Robert Riddett's Cottage Marker in front of the Cottage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 18, 2026

2. Robert Riddett's Cottage Marker in front of the Cottage

of this marker); Montrose War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Charles Morris (1856-1935) (within shouting distance of this marker); Storm Leaves (within shouting distance of this marker); The People's Garden (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); The First Train (approx. 4.1 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montrose.

Also see . . . Montrose Cottage. Yarra Ranges Heritage Database

Montrose Cottage has been moved to this site as a way of ensuring its survival (see history). The cottage is a simple rectangular building with a gabled roof and a verandah on three sides. A number of its features appear to have been reconstructed following its removal, including the present verandah. The chimney has been rebuilt. It is not clear how much of the original fabric remains. The original building is described as being built of sawn timber by Robert Riddell, a plasterer (see history). The present building has an rendered external finish, perhaps retaining or replicated the original. The floor of the verandah is paved in specially made bricks with names inscribed.

Physical
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Conditions: Excellent

(Submitted on July 22, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.