Museums and National Trust Sites

Port MacDonnell and District Maritime Museum tells with gusto the story of South Australia's southern most town and the seas around it. Many a vessel has come to grief in the area and the shipwreck gallery tells you the story of some of these. You can see the bell and cannon from the ill-fated Admella, which foundered in 1859 with the loss of all but 24 of her 113 passengers.

Visit The Sheep's Back in Naracoorte and experience the sights and smells of the shearing shed. Discover the lifestyles and techniques that have changed the face of the wool industry.

Poet Adam Lindsay Gordon also called Port MacDonnell home and his cottage is maintained at Dingley Dell. Open to the public it is a great way to learn of his poetry and local exploits.

Clayton Farm, located only 3km south of Bordertown on the Naracoorte Road is one of the most interesting historic farms in the country. The farm was owned and operated by the family of Mr August Gottfried Wiese (who took up the land in 1872) from 1872-1985. Today it has an extraordinary collection of historic farm buildings (all built either by the owners or by local tradesmen) made from traditional materials - limestone, grasses and a variety of gums - and some outstanding and very significant historic farm machinery. For details of opening times contact (08) 8752 2548.

National Trust Sites

The Limestone Coast has a number of National Trust sites. 

Cape Jaffa Lighthouse is one of a few lighthouses which has been successfully transferred from its rocky offshore platform serving as a guide at sea for ships, to be rebuilt in the town as a tourist attraction and an historical building on land where people are able to see for themselves what lighthouse keepers' families conditions were like.

Built in 1863, the Glencoe Woolshed remains a testament to the craftsmen of the day, often being referred to as a "cathedral", with arched blackwood beams and an architectural style rarely seen in this type of building. Artefacts of the wool industry are on display.

Mount Gambier's Courthouse Gallery and Old Courthouse Museum, was opened in 1865 and experienced continuous use until the new Courthouse was built in 1975. Visitors can sit in the jury box, visit the judge's chamber, inspect the cells and listen to audio courtroom drama.