Key Takeaways:
- Nor’ West Bend Station, a 175-year-old former sheep and cattle station, has been restored and reopened to the public after being closed for over a decade.
- The station has a rich history, with multiple owners and a variety of uses, including as a cattle and sheep station, and has been heritage-listed.
- The property features a main homestead, a two-storey woolshed and wool store, shearing shed, and stables, and has been restored to its original condition.
- The new owners, Lisa and David Goodland, have modernized and refurbished the property into a cafe and bar venue, while still maintaining its historical significance.
- The station is significant not only for its history but also for its cultural importance, with many people having connections to the property through their families or personal experiences.
Introduction to Nor’ West Bend Station
Nor’ West Bend Station, located at a sweeping bend in the River Murray, is a heritage-listed property that has been brought back to life after being closed to the public for over a decade. The 175-year-old former sheep and cattle station has a rich history, with multiple owners and a variety of uses. The property features a main homestead, a two-storey woolshed and wool store, shearing shed, and stables, and has been restored to its original condition. The station marks the spot where the River Murray runs south after flowing into South Australia from the east, and its history is a significant part of the region’s cultural heritage.
The Restoration Process
The restoration of Nor’ West Bend Station was a labor of love for its previous owners, Kevin and Sue Pedder, who purchased the property in 2002. The couple had always enjoyed holidaying by the river and, after retiring, decided to move there permanently and take on the restoration project as a "full-time job". The process took eight years to complete, with the couple outsourcing about half of the work and doing the rest themselves. They tried to keep the restoration as close to the original as possible, right down to the original stove that they found in the dump and had restored and put back into the kitchen. The property’s heritage listing and previous links to the National Trust meant that every adjustment had to be run by the organization to ensure that the renovations were historically accurate.
A History of Ups and Downs
Nor’ West Bend Station has seen its fair share of ups and downs since its establishment in 1850. The station was originally a cattle station, but later became a sheep station, and its early days were tough for some owners, with six different owners in the first 30 years of its establishment. The station went from famine in the drought, where it got down to hardly any sheep left, to people who made absolute millions of dollars out of the place. Some notable owners include Alexander Hay, a prominent South Australian merchant, pastoralist, and politician, who purchased the station in 1876, and Charles Campbell, an early settler of Adelaide, who owned the station for the last years of his life in the late 1850s.
New Beginnings
In 2020, Nor’ West Bend Station changed hands again, with Lisa and David Goodland purchasing the property, along with Ms. Goodland’s parents. The couple had originally planned to use the property as a holiday house, but the unique barn on the property sparked their interest in restoring it and opening it to the public. The Goodlands quit their jobs, moved to the property full-time, and set about restoring the barn and the rest of the property. They tried to do as much of the work themselves as possible, and their efforts have paid off, with the property now open to the public as a cafe and bar venue. The station has become a popular destination for visitors, who come to experience the history and charm of the property.
Preserving History
The preservation of historic sites like Nor’ West Bend Station is vital to preserving history and allowing people to understand it. National Trust SA branch chief executive Nicolette Di Lernia said that preserving historic sites is important for understanding the past and for allowing people to connect with their heritage. The way in which the land is used and occupied and farmed has had a significant impact on the traditional owners of the land, and it is essential to balance the preservation of history with the needs and rights of the indigenous people. Nor’ West Bend Station is a significant part of the region’s cultural heritage, and its preservation is a testament to the importance of protecting our history for future generations.
Conclusion
Nor’ West Bend Station is a unique and significant property that has been brought back to life after being closed to the public for over a decade. The station’s rich history, cultural importance, and stunning location make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, culture, or simply experiencing the beauty of the River Murray. The preservation of historic sites like Nor’ West Bend Station is essential for understanding our past and for allowing people to connect with their heritage. The new owners, Lisa and David Goodland, have done an excellent job of restoring the property and opening it to the public, and their efforts will ensure that Nor’ West Bend Station remains a significant part of the region’s cultural heritage for generations to come.