Fossil Farm: Mannum, in the Murraylands region of South Australia
For most of us, a few lazy days relaxing on a houseboat is the way we experience the magic and majesty of the River Murray. As the scenery slips by, it's easy to forget the stories of the River's creation which are locked away in the ancient red cliffs. But just a stone's throw away from Mannum, you'll find Fossil Farm. A homestead and two cottages set amidst a treasure-trove of the region's history. The area is literally littered with stones and rocky outcrops which willingly give up their secrets from millions of years ago.
“So why the name fossil farm?”
“Well Lisa, since we moved here we've found lots of fossils on the property. Um like the lovenia forbesi ?”
“This is a little circle sea-urchin and this is a little clam. This area was one an ancient marine Bed, a warm shallow sea, a coral reef bed with lots of marine fauna living in the coral reef bed.”
Julie Minchin-King and Trevor Meulengraaf have restored the original homestead and a cottage as a Bed and Breakfast and it's a great little place from which to explore the more recent history of the area.
“So what's the story behind this cottage?”
“Um this cottage was the original kitchen to a little pug and pine cottage that was built here in about 1850. And over here we have the old fireplace where the mettwurst and bacon was smoked in the old days. Today this make a lovely little honeymoon suite for couples.”
“It's gorgeous isn't it?”
It's certainly a step back in time - in the kitchen there's the original old scrubbed pine sink and the walls and ceilings are lined with pressed tin, brought in by the paddlesteamers in the 1850s. And you're never far from the reminders about how the farm got it's name. (view thru window?) The main house has also been lovingly restored and has a story of its own.
“Um the main house and the cottage were built in 1900 and nine by Johanne William Hein - he was a second generation German settler that moved here in 1909 and he built the main homestead for his new bride. And the little cottage was built for his three teenage sons. That was forward thinking back then - putting them out on their own. What a good idea. Johanne and his new bride went on to have four more children - they had 3 more boys and a girl.”
“When you come to the fossil farm the holiday options are endless. there's an array of the usual farm animals and Julie's collection of rescued native fauna.”
Julie and Trevor are involved in a network called "Fauna Care and Release" which takes in and nurses sick and injured native animals back to health.
“So who's this little fellow?”
“This is banjo. Banjo's a little western grey kangaroo, he's about 6 and a half months old and he's an orphan.”
Banjo's still on the bottle now but when he's old enough Julie and Trevor will make the tough decision on whether he can be released back into the wild. If they decide to keep him, Banjo will join the Fossil Farm menagerie which already boasts a number of roos, Cape Barron Geese, ducks, peacocks and horses.
They're all part of the attraction of Fossil Farm which offers a glimpse of what life must have been like on the banks for the Murray at the turn of the century.
Bed and Breakfast accommodation is available in the Homestead, the Cottage or Settlers Hut. you'll find Fossil Farm on Belvedere Road just outside Mannun. Contact Julie or Trevor on 8569 1558. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
