Leonard's Mill: Ron visits this restaurant and gallery in the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia
Second Valley is a secret of the Fleurieu. Tucked away towards the bottom of the Peninsula it's named because it was the second valley Colonel William Light called into while surveying this picturesque part of South Australia.
This coastal secret has long captivated ever-hopeful fishermen and those prepared to venture up high for some of the best coastal scenery in the State. But the old jetty hints at a story of remoteness and a community that was certainly out here on it's own along with it's very impressive mill.
Leonard's Mill was producing flour for bread and other products well into the 1890s - in fact up to three hundred bags per year. But over time it was felt that Yorke Peninsula offered better conditions for the growing of wheat and barley so this place underwent one of its many re-incarnations.
The Mill was built 150 years ago by the Leonard brothers, John and James and first processed local wheat from around the district. Later Yorke Peninsula grain was shipped here for milling - but getting it into and out of Second Valley - and onto Adelaide proved too costly.
When flour milling proved too difficult and costly, the locals had a go at processing a naturally grown product.
Dennis Beros, Leonard's Mill: "They went into wattle bark which means they milled the bark to get a solution which they used for tanning sheep hides."
Today the millstones are a feature of the second floor restaurant. The beams, which support this Second Valley landmark, are a talking point in the downstairs bar and so too are the wood-carved dolphins scattered across the 150-year-old walls. The new owners Catherine Ellis and Dennis Beros have breathed new life into a building that's already had many.
Dennis Beros, Leonard's Mill: "We know that it fell into great disrepair. Sixty years ago it was a shearing shed. They would bring sheep up the ramp in here. Shear them and bale the wool here and then drop it for export out the door."
Now Leonard's Mill is selling wool of another kind to tourists who pass through this part of the Southern Fleurieu. Yankalilla builder Steve Faull cops a bit of schtick from his building mates when they see him at the wheel spinning alpaca wool - or what he calls 'fibre of the gods'.
Steve's alpacas provide the wool. He supplies the hours of labor for this range of scarves, gloves, beanies and shawls. And much of it is showcased on beautifully made furniture - the work of local artisan Jeff Prior. And Jeff is also responsible for much the marine life immortilised in timber. Jeff's saved many a slab of eucalypt from the potbelly - hunting down great slabs of red gum for pieces like this made with a chainsaw.
The mill has long been a focal point of this part of the peninsula. It's had it's ups and downs but for local landowner John Croser, part of the Croser clan who've lived around here for generations, the mill is a "must see attraction" in a "must see" part of South Australia.
Nearby accommodation is available for guests and the restaurant and gallery are open daily. For bookings contact 8598 4184. Leonard's Mill is located thirteen kilometres south of Normanville on the road to Cape Jervis. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Leonard's Mill Restaurant and Gallery
13 kilometres south of Normanville
Open daily
Bookings 8598 4184Published 4th October 2009
