Heritage Buildings
If you like a bit of history on your holidays, venture into these stately old homes and historic sites to unlock South Australia's heritage. In Adelaide, don't miss:
Ayers House Museum
The colonial mansion named after the nineteenth century state premier Sir Henry Ayers, Ayers House Museum illustrates Victorian domestic life as it was lived both upstairs and downstairs. The social history of the period is discussed on guided tours of the house as is the life and work of Sir Henry Ayers. On display is a collection of historic costume, silver, artwork and furniture as well as changing exhibitions.
Carrick Hill
This 1930s dream home created in a style of a seventeenth century English manor house, set in nearly 40 hectares of formal gardens and bushland.
Charles Sturt Museum
The Grange was the home of Captain Charles Sturt and his family from when it was built in 1840 until they returned to England in 1853. Captain Sturt was one of Australia's most famous explorers, his Murray River expedition paved the way for settlement in South Australia.
Cummins House
One of Adelaide's best kept secrets. A visit to the home of Sir John Morphett in its beautiful garden setting at Novar Gardens is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Fort Glanville
The most complete nineteenth century fort in Australia, one of very few worldwide in original condition and now with its original guns. Five cannons are fireable some being world unique. On open days volunteers of the Historical Association re-enact 1880s military life, with cannon and rifle firings and parade ground drill.
Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury
Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury is superbly located in the heart of Adelaide in the historic former Treasury building. They offer guests a restaurant and bar situated around a delightful central courtyard with a fountain, spacious public areas, as well as key features such as the indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna and spa. Our property combines original elements of the 163 year old Treasury with modern finishes and amenities creating a complex including 80 one and two bedroom apartments and studio rooms.
Old Government House
Old Government House lies in the heart of Belair National Park and is the former Vice-regal summer residence of some of the early governors of South Australia. Fully restored during the 1970s and upgraded in 2001, the building stands as an excellent example of Victorian-style architecture and represents a significant period in the state of South Australia's history.
Waite Arboretum
University Of Adelaide, Waite Campus
Waite's historic estate of grand house, outbuildings and beautiful gardens has been preserved with the campus, and is now known as the Urrbrae House Historic Precinct. This unique part of South Australia's history is now available to the public through a number of guided tours.
And in South Australia's regions, take a trip to these sites to delve into our past a little further. You'll find local tour operators are happy to show you around.
The Cedars
The Cedars is the historical house, studio and property of artist Sir Hans Heysen. Take a guided tour of the house and historic working studio built in 1912 and used by this iconic painter until his death in 1968.
Chateau Tanunda
Built in 1890 from blue stone quarried at nearby Bethany. Chateau Tanunda is a truly awe-inspiring place to visit, combining historic winery buildings and a stunning cellar door.
Collingrove Homestead
This magnificent heritage listed house set in English style gardens and spacious grounds is an astounding contrast to big red gum trees. Located in the Barossa Valley, home to some the world's best wines, the homestead built in 1856 is one of the most beautiful buildings in South Australia, and is furnished with original Angas family antiques and collections.
Herbig Family Tree
The Herbig Family Tree is a large, hollow red gum tree that was the home of the Herbig family for several years in the late 1850s.
Bungaree Station
This property and its heritage-listed buildings remain largely unchanged since the horse and buggy days and, as a result, Bungaree provides a better insight into the pastoral history of the 19th century than a museum could ever do.
Malowen Lowarth
Visit Malowen Lowarth Cottage and hear stories about the early copper mining days of Burra. A tour guide in period costume awaits to explain the typical lifestyle of a mining family. This museum has been furnished by the National Trust and reinvents the 1860 - 1870 style of home.
Martindale Hall
Built in 1879, is a Georgian style mansion designed by Ebenezer Gregg of London for Edmund Bowman who lived the princely life there until 1891. Built largely in Manoora freestone, the ornately moulded and carved stonework is a tribute to the tradesmen of the day who were brought from England especially for this purpose.
Paxton Square Cottages
Next to the picturesque Burra Creek and a short walk from town facilities. Each of the 32 charmingly restored, self-contained cottages offer accommodation for up to six people. A feature of the cottages during winter is the open fireplaces and firewood is supplied.
Sevenhill Cellars
This is not only the Clare Valley's oldest winery (wine production began in 1851), but also indicative of the tolerance shown by South Australia to people of all regions.
Axel Stenross Maritime Museum
Visit a classic 'bloke's shed' museum. Axel Stenross made boats and the museum celebrates him and the rich maritime history of Port Lincoln. One of South Australia's most distinctive museums.
Mount Laura Homestead Museum
Look through this old homestead, displaying the stories and objects which describe the founding and development of Whyalla, reflecting pastoral, commercial industrial and social development and activities.
Hardy's Tintara Winery
Today, Tintara proudly carries on the Hardy tradition, making wines of rare quality and richness. These wines continue the legacy of founder Thomas Hardy's ingenuity and pioneering winemaking techniques even after a century of winemaking technological advances.
Encounter Coast Discovery Centre - The Old Customs and Station Masters House
Go to where the first encounter really happened. At Victor Harbor's Encounter Coast Discovery Centre you can learn about the meeting between English and French naval captains Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin.
Faye's Underground Home And Opal Mine
In a beautiful desert garden, Faye's famous Underground Home is the original one room home of the first mail truck driver.
Saint Cecilia Private Hotel, Callary Street, Peterborough
A gracious 20-room mansion made from handhewn sandstone. It was originally the home of Bishop Norton of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Port Augusta. In the 1920s it became a boarding school and convent. It was open to the public in the early 1980s.
Cape Willoughby Lightstation
Matthew Flinders named Cape Willoughby in 1802, after a village in his native Lincolnshire, England. In 1849, the site was chosen and surveyed by Captain Lipson for South Australia's first lighthouse. It has played a vital role in the development of the state. The lighthouse was built in 1852 from granite and limestone quarried nearby from a deep rock cleft in the cliff face immediately adjacent to the light.
Dingley Dell Cottage - Dingley Dell Conservation Park, Port Macdonnell
This cottage contains a display that depicts author Adam Lindsay Gordon, his life, his works and the history of the cottage. Tours are available 10 am to 4 pm every day (except Christmas day) and other times by appointment.
Olivewood
See the original home of Charles Chaffey, who was instrumental in the development of the Riverland's irrigation system. Built of pine logs in 1889, it is set in spacious grounds and surrounded by palms, olive trees and citrus.
Miners Cottage And Garden
The National Trust Miners Cottage is a typical Cornish cottage built about 1870 and furnished in the pre-1900 period. Built of wattle and daub, mud bricks, clay and limestone and given a coat of plaster and whitewashed, many of these cottages were to be found throughout the mine residential area.
