The original residence of Amberley was constructed to the express requirements and exact conditions dictated by the owner, Mr .W. Darch during 1929 - 1930. At the time he was the General Manager of Shell Australia which included Shell’s operations in New Zealand.

After Mr and Mrs Darch returned to England in 1934 the house was purchased by a second family, and the area underneath the lounge had not been excavated and incorporated a dark room, table tennis and dancing area, bar, bedroom and bathroom for his elder son. At this time there was also an orchard, vegetable garden and poultry house. Also added stables for the children’s ponieIn 1955 the house was purchased by the Christian Brothers to be used as a Novitiate for their Victorian and Tasmanian novices. The Christian Brothers added a chapel, sleeping quarters, along with a library, and joined these to the original building following its general character and lines as far as possible. In 2004 it was again sold and renovated and is now a conference and spiritual retreat centre.