Overnewton Castle - Keilor, Victoria

Mary F.

Disappointing High Tea Experience – Beautiful Venue, but Service Fell Short

I attended a high tea at Overnewton Castle on the 11th of June with a group of friends. As a group that has experienced many high teas, we were sadly disappointed by the overall experience—especially given how beautiful the venue and gardens are.

To begin with the positives: the setting is truly lovely, and most of the staff were courteous. In particular, Ashley stood out as an excellent team member—attentive, friendly, and professional throughout our visit. Her service and interaction was a highlight.

However, the overall experience felt rushed and disjointed. We were offered a glass of bubbles shortly after being seated, only to be asked about our tea or coffee preferences almost immediately after. There was little time to relax and enjoy the flow of the service.

The real letdown, though, was an interaction with one staff member—a young woman with red hair—who was noticeably rude and dismissive. When we politely asked for a cup of tea later during the sitting, she told us we couldn’t because there were only 10–15 minutes left. Ashley, on the other hand, was more than happy to oblige without hesitation. Moments later, the red-haired staff member returned with a teapot, placed it down abruptly, and sarcastically asked, “Do you need cups?”—despite not having brought any. One cup and saucer was brought to the table. No acknowledgement for my friends requests ever eventuated either.. It was a very unnecessary and unprofessional interaction that left a sour note at the end of our visit.

It’s unfortunate that one staff member’s attitude overshadowed what could have been a charming afternoon. We hope management takes this feedback seriously, as the setting deserves a standard of service to match.

Mel

I took my daughter for high tea at Overnewton Castle, and it was spectacular! The grounds and castle are stunning to look out at and wander through.

We selected a verandah seat, and it was the perfect choice. There were only 2 tables out there, so it was peaceful and relaxed. Plus, we got to enjoy the views and breeze.

The food and drinks were delicious, and the staff were incredible! So attentive, polite, and helpful. They went above and beyond to make my little girl feel like a princess.

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would!

Highly recommend for a mummy daughter date or a romantic afternoon date.

Sharon M.

Overnewton Castle is full of magical charm. The gardens are stunning, the venue is fabulous and the staff are all very friendly and helpful. The onsite accommodation is beautifully presented and perfect for your event and convenient stay at the Castle.

J D.

I’m really disappointed to be writing this on Mother’s Day, but our high tea experience at Overnewton Castle was incredibly underwhelming and ruined what should have been a special day.

We paid $420 for four adults and two children, and the food simply didn’t reflect that. The scones were a major letdown—especially the plain ones, which were undercooked and raw in the middle. The rest of the menu was basic: a few pastries, chia pudding, some fruit, and one slider each with a flat, wrinkled bun that tasted as poor as it looked. The children’s meals were equally disappointing, with just one scone and a piece of toast no bigger than a finger.

Even our mothers commented on how poor the food tasted. This was honestly the worst high tea we’ve ever tried. I’ve made way better scones and sliders myself at home.

The venue itself is beautiful and the staff were genuinely kind, attentive, and welcoming, which we really appreciated. However, the food lacked quality, creativity, and care. Extremely disappointed and won’t be returning.

J &. D.

Went to 'High Tea' on Sunday and had a pleasant afternoon. The food was freshly, home made fare that looked and tasted delicious. Tasty trests on offer included mini brisket pies, mini vegetable quiche's, arancini balls, various finger sandwiches, savoury cheese and chive scones, white chicolate and rasperrsy scones macaroons and mini eton mess shooters. The orange juice was freshly squeezed and the tea and coffee was fresh and hot.
The history of Overnewton Castle is documented with photographs in many of the rooms. Wandering around the inside of the buildings showcases beautiful antique fixtures, fittings and furniture and the gardens are delightful to stroll in.
Overall, a wonderful afternoon indeed.

Nathalie B.

A delectable High Tea, the hot and cold savouries were delicious and the three varieties of scones were divine. A stroll in the beautiful Castle gardens afterwards made for a perfect Sunday afternoon. Thank you for a lovely experience.

SoulFlare W.

We recently had the pleasure of photographing a wedding reception at Overnewton Castle, and the experience was fantastic. The venue is absolutely stunning, with its beautiful historic architecture and picturesque gardens providing the perfect backdrop for memorable photos. The staff were incredibly professional and attentive, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Overnewton Castle truly offers a magical setting for a wedding. Highly recommend!

Charlene T.

We recently had our wedding ceremony at Overnewton Castle and the venue is just beautiful. The colours in Autumn were magnificent and our wedding photos are like a something from a fairytale. I also stayed the night before at the cottage at the property and the bridal party and I got ready there before the function. The views were amazing and everyone had a great time getting ready there. It isn't an easy choice deciding where to hold your wedding but I knew from the moment I stepped into the grounds that this was the place. Very happy with our choice! Thank you so much to Emma and the team for being really easy to work with and accommodating!!