Dundullimal Homestead
Encyclopedia
Dundullimal Homestead is a colonial slab hut
type homestead located about 10 km south of Dubbo, New South Wales
, on Obley Road and the Macquarie River. It is located six kilometres further out of town than Western Plains Zoo
.
Built in the early 1840s as the head station of a 6,500 hectare squatting run, the building is believed to be the oldest surviving slab hut house in Australia
. The homestead is also Dubbo's oldest building open to the public. Its interior is relatively sophisticated for its type, with an imposing sitting room is noted for its tent-shaped plaster ceiling, and wallpaper reproduced from an 1850 patern. The house is furnished with original period furniture.
The working areas include a sandstone stables complex, the blacksmith
's forge
, coach
room, sunken cool room, and stores. This complex of buildings reflects the practical elements of rural life on a large, isolated property during the nineteenth century.
The building is administered by the National Trust
and has become a major and significant tourist attraction
in the Dubbo area attracting large numbers of visitors from all around the country. Unfortunately for weekend visitors to Dubbo, the property is only open Tuesday - Thursday 10am-4pm unless special arrangements are made in advance. An additional fee applies for visits outside of normal hours.
More details including some history can be found in this
Australian Heritage Database
article
Website: http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/properties/dundullimal/default.asp
Slab Hut
A Slab Hut is a kind of dwelling or shed made from slabs of split or sawn timber. It was a common form of construction used by settlers in Australia and New Zealand during their nations' Colonial periods.-The Australian Settler:...
type homestead located about 10 km south of Dubbo, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, on Obley Road and the Macquarie River. It is located six kilometres further out of town than Western Plains Zoo
Western Plains Zoo
Taronga Western Plains Zoo, formerly known as Western Plains Zoo and commonly known as Dubbo Zoo, is a large zoo near Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. It opened to the public on 28 February 1977, to provide more living and breeding space for large animals such as elephants and antelopes which...
.
Built in the early 1840s as the head station of a 6,500 hectare squatting run, the building is believed to be the oldest surviving slab hut house in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The homestead is also Dubbo's oldest building open to the public. Its interior is relatively sophisticated for its type, with an imposing sitting room is noted for its tent-shaped plaster ceiling, and wallpaper reproduced from an 1850 patern. The house is furnished with original period furniture.
The working areas include a sandstone stables complex, the blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
's forge
Forge
A forge is a hearth used for forging. The term "forge" can also refer to the workplace of a smith or a blacksmith, although the term smithy is then more commonly used.The basic smithy contains a forge, also known as a hearth, for heating metals...
, coach
Coach (carriage)
A coach was originally a large, usually closed, four-wheeled carriage with two or more horses harnessed as a team, controlled by a coachman and/or one or more postilions. It had doors in the sides, with generally a front and a back seat inside and, for the driver, a small, usually elevated seat in...
room, sunken cool room, and stores. This complex of buildings reflects the practical elements of rural life on a large, isolated property during the nineteenth century.
The building is administered by the National Trust
National Trust of Australia
The Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
and has become a major and significant tourist attraction
Tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
in the Dubbo area attracting large numbers of visitors from all around the country. Unfortunately for weekend visitors to Dubbo, the property is only open Tuesday - Thursday 10am-4pm unless special arrangements are made in advance. An additional fee applies for visits outside of normal hours.
More details including some history can be found in this
Australian Heritage Database
Australian Heritage Database
The Australian Heritage Database is a listing of heritage sites in Australia. It is maintained by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts , in consultation with Australian Heritage Council...
article
Website: http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/properties/dundullimal/default.asp