Nestled in the heart of Castlemaine, Central Victoria, Buda is an authentic Goldfields villa house and garden. Named after Budapest by its Hungarian owner, Ernest Leviny, this historic home was the heart of the creative Leviny family for an incredible 118 years. Today, Buda remains a Museums Australia accredited museum, showcasing an extraordinary intact collection of furniture, artwork, and personal belongings.
Visitors are invited to step into another era as they explore the historic house, beautifully preserved with evidence of the arts and crafts style that flourished under the care of the Leviny daughters. The house brims with handcrafted items, metalwork light fittings, and embroidered soft furnishings, a testament to the family’s artistic legacy.
Outside, Buda’s three-acre heritage garden awaits, featuring original plantings and structures such as the bird aviary, tennis pavilion, and grape pergola. Unlike a typical display garden, Buda’s garden is a living testament to the Leviny family’s aspirations and the evolving climate of Central Victoria. With each season, the garden transforms, offering autumn’s rich foliage, winter’s structural beauty, spring’s vibrant blooms, and summer’s shady retreats.
Buda is open for self-guided tours daily from 12:00pm–4:00pm, with guided tours and catering available for groups by prior appointment. The Giftshop features unique items inspired by original Leviny designs, while the Plant Nursery offers heritage and drought-hardy plants, including specimens propagated from Buda’s own garden.
