List of historic houses in South Australia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is a list of some amazing historic houses in South Australia. These old homes tell us stories about the past, showing how people lived, worked, and built communities long ago. Many of them are still standing today, used as museums, schools, or even private homes, keeping their history alive.

Famous Historic Houses
Other Notable Historic Houses
Images for kids
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Famous Historic Houses

Ayers House

Ayers House, a grand historic home in Adelaide.

Ayers House was built in 1855 for Sir Henry Ayers, who was a very important politician in South Australia. He was the Premier of South Australia five times! This beautiful house is located at 288 North Terrace in the heart of Adelaide. It was originally called Austral House. Today, Ayers House is looked after by the National Trust and is open for everyone to visit. It was restored and opened to the public in 1970 by Premier Don Dunstan.

Beaumont House

Beaumont House, a lovely old building.

Built in 1849, Beaumont House was first owned by Bishop Augustus Short. It was originally named "Claremont." You can find this house at 631 Glynburn Road in Beaumont. Like Ayers House, Beaumont House is now cared for by the National Trust, helping to preserve its history for future generations.

Carclew

Carclew, a grand house now used for youth arts.

Carclew was built in 1897 by Hugh Robert Dixson. It stands on Jeffcott Street, Montefiore Hill, in North Adelaide. Before Carclew, the Chambers' family home was on this spot, but it was demolished. Dixson built "Stalheim" here, and later, in 1908, Langdon Bonython renamed it "Carclew." Today, Carclew is a lively place, serving as the Carclew Youth Arts Centre, where young people can explore their creativity.

Carrick Hill

Carrick Hill, now a museum.

Carrick Hill was built much later than many other historic houses, in 1939. It was built for Sir Edward Hayward. This house is located at 46 Fullarton Road in Springfield. Today, Carrick Hill is a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the lives of its former residents.

Cummins House

Cummins House, a historic site and function centre.

One of the older houses on this list, Cummins House, was built in 1842 for Sir John Morphett. It's located on Sheoak Avenue in Novar Gardens. This house has a special role today, serving as both a museum and a function centre, where people can hold events in a historic setting.

Grange (Charles Sturt Museum)

The Grange, home of Captain Charles Sturt.

The Grange was built in 1840 for Captain Charles Sturt, a famous explorer. It's found on Jetty Street in Grange. This house is now the Charles Sturt Museum, dedicated to telling the story of Sturt's life and explorations. It's a great place to learn about early Australian history.

Martindale Hall

Martindale Hall, a grand country estate.

Martindale Hall is a stunning house built in 1879 for Edmund Bowman Jr. It's located on Min Man Road in Mintaro, in the beautiful Clare Valley. Over the years, it has been owned by different families and even the University of Adelaide. Since 1986, it has been owned by the Government of South Australia and is now a museum, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience its grandeur.

Mount Breckan

Mount Breckan, a large house in Victor Harbor.

Mount Breckan was built in 1881 for Alexander Hay, who also commissioned another house called "Linden." It's located at 21-25 Renown Avenue in Victor Harbor. Today, Mount Breckan is used as a private home and a function centre, hosting events in its impressive setting.

Old Government House

Old Government House in Belair National Park.

Built in 1860, Old Government House was the summer residence for the Governor of South Australia. It's nestled within the beautiful Belair National Park in Belair. This historic building is now a museum, offering insights into the lives of past governors and the early days of the colony.

Paringa Hall

Paringa Hall was built in 1882 and designed by a famous architect, Edmund William Wright. It was originally the home of the Cudmore family. Located at 195-235 Brighton Road in Somerton Park, this grand house became part of Sacred Heart College (Adelaide) in 1897, and it is still used by the college today.

Stangate House

Stangate House was built in 1937 for Rev. S. Raymond Cornish. It's located at 3 Edgeware Road in Aldgate, in the Adelaide Hills. This house is now looked after by the National Trust SA, and its beautiful garden is maintained by the Camellia Society Adelaide Hills.

Torrens Park

Torrens Park was built in 1853 and was once the home of the Barr Smith family. It's located at the corner of Carruth and Blythewood Roads in Torrens Park. Over the years, it had several notable owners, including Robert Richard Torrens and W. W. Hughes. Today, Torrens Park is part of Scotch College, Adelaide, a well-known school.

Tranmere House

Tranmere House, a state heritage-listed building.

Tranmere House was built in 1898 for George Hunt. You can find it at 3 Kings Grove in Tranmere. This house is considered so important that it is listed on the State Heritage Register, meaning it is protected for its historical value.

Urrbrae House

Urrbrae House, part of the University of Adelaide.

Urrbrae House was built in 1891 for Peter Waite, a well-known philanthropist. It's located on Claremont Avenue in Urrbrae. Today, Urrbrae House is part of the University of Adelaide, used for various university activities and events.

Wairoa

Wairoa was built in 1888 for William Austin Horn. It's located at 160 Mount Barker Road in Aldgate, in the Adelaide Hills. From 1971 to 2004, it was home to the Marbury School. Today, it is a private home.

Other Notable Historic Houses

Ackland House (1901): Located in Everard Park, now a retirement village.
Adare (1837): In McCracken, now a Uniting Church conference centre.
Alvington (1880?): In Somerton Park, was a home for children with disabilities, demolished in 1976.
Ashford House (1838): In Ashford, now the Ashford Special School.
Attunga (1900): In Toorak Gardens, now part of the Burnside War Memorial Hospital.
Auchendarroch House (1878): In Mount Barker, now a cinema and function centre.
Barton Vale House (1852): In Enfield, once a "Home for Wayward Girls" and a remand centre, now used by businesses.
Birralee, Belair (1897): In Belair, was a TB Sanatorium and Repatriation Hospital, now a private home.
Bishop's Court (1865): In North Adelaide, still in use.
The Briars (1856): In Medindie, now part of the McBride Hospital.
Carminow (1885): In Crafers, destroyed by bushfire in 1983 but rebuilt.
The Cedars (1870s): In Hahndorf, purchased by artist Hans Heysen in 1912, now a museum.
Collingrove (1856): In Angaston, a National Trust property.
Dunluce Castle (1912): In Brighton, a private home with a unique name.
Essenside (1873): In Glenelg, demolished in 1972.
Estcourt House (1881-83): In Tennyson, owned by the James Brown Memorial Trust.
Eurilla (1884): In Crafers, a private home with famous past owners like Lavington Bonython.
Eynesbury House (1880): In Kingswood, a private home.
Federation House (built for Sir Richard Chaffey Baker): In North Adelaide, now student facilities for Lincoln College.
Glanville Hall (1856): In Glanville, now a Senior Citizens' club.
The Grove (1872): In Walkerville, destroyed by fire in 1876, now a rehabilitation hospital.
Kadlunga (1857): In Mintaro, a private homestead with a long history of owners.
Kalymna (1874): In Kent Town, now offices.
Kandahar (1906): In North Plympton, now a community centre.
Kingston House (1840): In Kingston Park, now a function venue.
Marble Hill (1880): The former Governor's residence, destroyed by bushfire in 1955, now being restored by private owners.
Morialta (1847): In Norton Summit, now used by Youth with a Mission.
Mount Lofty House (1858): In Crafers, destroyed in the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires and reopened after restoration in 1986, now a function venue.
Murray Park (1884): In Magill, now known as 'Murray House' and part of the UniSA Magill Campus.
Nesfield (1880): In North Plympton, a private home.
Olivewood (1889): In Renmark, a National Trust property.
Prospect House (1846): In Prospect, known as "Graham's Castle," demolished in 1901.
Rostrevor (1870s): In Woodforde, now Rostrevor College.
Struan House (1873): In Naracoorte, now used by the Dept. of Primary Industries & Resources SA.
Weetunga (1878): In Fulham, a private home.
Whitehead (1907): In North Adelaide, the Principal's residence for Lincoln College.
Wolta Wolta (1846): In Clare, destroyed in the 1983 Ash Wednesday Bushfires and rebuilt in 2007, now a B&B.
Woodhouse: In Piccadilly, now used by Scouts Australia (SA Branch).