PORT MACDONNELL CUSTOMS HOUSE: In the Limestone Coast Region in the South East of South Australia

The breakwater at Port MacDonnell now shelters the largest rock lobster fleet in South Australia. But for many years that breakwater and the town jetty were pivotal to the gradual expansion of this southeast port…..as local wheat and wool growers sent their produce to markets in Adelaide and Melbourne.

In fact, Port MacDonnell's location between these major cities explains that optimism that colonial administrators had for this lonely southern outpost.

Any if any one building expresses that early confidence…then the Customs House would have to be it.

By 1861 the newly-surveyed town was taking shape and within two years the Port MacDonnell Customs House had taken a commanding position on the foreshore. From here the colonial tax collectors could keep watch over commerce in what would become the second busiest port in South Australia.

“It was a thriving export industry.”

“So much how much did they take in terms of excise. Have you got any idea of how much this was worth to the government?”

“Well... look.... all I know was that it was about two million pounds of excise.”

The investment in such an imposing building certainly paid off. Not only did it serve as the Customs House…but one of the top rooms housed the local schoolteacher…and downstairs…the refurbished Policeman's Residence now provides very comfortable self contained accommodation. The building also served as the Harbour Master's office, the Post and Telegraph Office and the local court house.

Now all of this is available to travellers looking for bed and breakfast accommodation as they make their way along the Limestone Coast.

And if you book into the Policeman's Residence you can look out onto the inner courtyard….where the officers would have kept watch on their most valued assets...their horses…and their most contemptible liabilities…their prisoners.

“So Moira this is the area where policemen would bring the horses?”

“Yes they brought the horses through the archway here…right through to the back, around to this area here. They used to lock them up at night…they actually had timber gates on that archway…horses being such a valuable commodity they had to protect them.”

“And out here are the police cells.”

“Out here are the four jail cells, yes.”

“They're actually holding cells…they actually used to hold the convicts or people who were in trouble at the time and then transport them down to Mount Gambier.”

The Port MacDonnell Customs House stands as one of the best kept examples of colonial architecture in the State's southeast…and following a major restoration program you can enjoy this trip back in time to halcyon days of colonial beaurocracy.

To book a stay at the Courthouse contact Moira Skinner on 0408 799 727. Or if you have any further questions you can email info@postcards-sa.com.au