Wandi, Marulan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wandi |
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Front of Wandi facing the Hume Highway
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| Location | 16501 Hume Highway, Narambulla Creek, 9.5 km south of, Marulan, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1843– |
| Official name: The Ben Hall Sites - Wandi; Plumb's Inn; Shelleys Flats; Douglass Inn | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 8 October 2010 |
| Reference no. | 1827 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Wandi is a very old building in New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a busy inn, which was like a hotel for travelers, and now it's a private home. It's located near Marulan on the Hume Highway.
Wandi is special because it's part of a group of historic places called the Ben Hall Sites. These sites are linked to the famous Australian bushranger named Ben Hall. Wandi was built starting in 1843. It's also known by its old names, Plumb's Inn, Shelleys Flats, and Douglass Inn. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on October 8, 2010, which means it's an important historical place.
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A Glimpse into Wandi's Past
The land where Wandi stands was bought in 1837. We know for sure that the inn was built by 1843. At that time, it was called the "Douglas Inn."
In 1853, a farmer named Robert Plumb bought the land. He got a special permit to run the inn in 1854. He likely kept running it until he sold the property in 1869. People knew him as an "Innkeeper, on Shelleys Flats."
The Ben Hall Gang Incident
On December 19, 1864, the famous Ben Hall gang was active on the road between Sydney and Goulburn. Their main goal was to rob the Goulburn coach.
They stopped and robbed anyone who came along the road that morning. By the time the coach arrived, they had captured 35 people. After checking the coach, they let everyone go.
Later that day, a politician named William Macleay was arriving at Plumb's Inn in his buggy. The bushrangers suddenly appeared and even fired a shot at him!
Guests were celebrating a wedding on the inn's porch. Mr. Macleay quickly rushed them inside. He then fired his own rifle at the bushrangers, making them leave. Mr. Macleay was praised for his brave actions.
What Does Wandi Look Like?
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Wandi is built on a small hill near Narambulla Creek. From the property, you can see the Rampion Hills.
The Main Inn Building
The building that was once Plumb's Inn is now a home. It's made of sandstone blocks. The front of the building has rooms on each side of a central porch, which has stone paving. This part of the building is shaped like a rectangle with a low, gently sloping roof.
The corners of the building and the areas around the windows and doors on the front are made with special stone blocks called quoins. These give the building a strong, classic look.
There's another part of the building attached to the western side. It's also a rectangular building with a similar roof, built around the same time.
The front of the building has neatly laid sandstone blocks. The sides and back of the main building have been covered with a smooth finish, but the stone corners and window tops are still visible. The side part of the building also has a window in the roof, which means there's an attic inside.
Why is Wandi Important?
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Wandi, also known as Plumb's Inn, is very important to the story of the Ben Hall Sites. It's famous because it was the place where William Macleay bravely fought back against the Ben Hall gang. People rarely resisted the bushrangers, so this event is a big part of the stories about Ben Hall.
Wandi also shows us what rural hotels were like in the 1840s. These inns were vital for travelers on long journeys between places like Goulburn and Sydney. They offered a place to rest and get food.
The building itself is a great example of an old style of architecture called Colonial Georgian. Its design and how it was built give us a look into the past. It also shows the kinds of places that bushrangers like Ben Hall would target.
There might also be old items buried on the property from its early days as a hotel. This could help us learn even more about its history.
Wandi was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2010 for several reasons:
- It shows us how history unfolded in New South Wales. Wandi is linked to bushranger activities, like stopping people on the roads and trying to take hostages at public places like inns. It also shows the important role of rural hotels in travel during the 1840s.
- It's connected to important people or groups in New South Wales history. Wandi is a well-known part of the Ben Hall story. The event where William Macleay fought off the bushrangers is a key part of its history.
- It's a beautiful and well-designed example of its kind. Wandi is a great example of a Colonial Georgian hotel and home. Its style and construction teach us about architecture from the 1840s.
- It has the potential to teach us more about history. There might be archaeological evidence (old items buried in the ground) from its early days as a hotel, which could help us understand its past even better.
- It's a good example of a certain type of historical place. Wandi is a clear example of a Colonial Georgian rural hotel. It also shows the kinds of places that Ben Hall and his gang would target.
Images for kids
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Slab hut behind the house
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