Timeball Apartments at Semaphore: Lisa relaxes by the sea in the Adelaide Coast region of South Australia
The nautical nature of Semaphore is such that just standing on the jetty you can almost hear an "ahoy" on the wind. Famous for being one of 'the' resort towns of the nineteenth century, in its heyday the train and trolley buses used to bring thousands of people down for a day at the beach. The Semaphore Illuminated Carnival was a world famous tradition.
Now a trendy meeting place, Semaphore is riddled with memories of past eras and it continues to grow with new generations. The timeless landmark of Semaphore is the old Timeball Tower. Built in 1875, its job was to provide an accurate daily guide for the ships at anchor off the coast. Every day the black ball was raised up to the top of the tower and at a pre-arranged time it was dropped on cue from the Adelaide observatory.
John Williams, Semaphore Historian: "The Time Ball itself used to drop every day at 1 pm and every vessel that was out there used to set its chronometer - the ship's clock to one o'clock and then off they'd sail."
The service was replaced in 1932 but the time ball tower remains an imposing figure on the foreshore just as it's done for over a century but this corner has always played an important role.
John Williams: "That patch of land was the total Communications Centre for the whole of South Australia in the early settlement days - so anything that needed to be talked about anywhere in the state had to come through the Signal Station and other buildings that were on that patch of ground."
Signalman, William Uden spent his days peering through a telescope watching for signals from the ships at anchor in the harbour. And his vantage point was on the verandah of his little cottage just behind the Timeball. Like lots of Semaphore, it's undergone a massive transformation - being converted into the appropriately named Timeball Apartments.
Selina and her husband, Peppe and his business partner, Frank and his wife Suzanne, completely gutted the original cottage and converted it into four swish new apartments - one on the roof, two at street level and a real surprise in the cellar.
It was a huge job which took 18 month to complete - but the result is a clever blend of contemporary accommodation in a heritage bluestone cottage - all within view of the 'sentinel of Semaphore' - the Timeball. Timeball Apartments are at 12 Newman Street in Semaphore. Rates begin at $160 per room per night twin share. Call 0450 909 135 for further details. If you have any further questions please email them to info@postcards-sa.com.au
Timeball Apartments
12 Newman St
Semaphore
Bookings 0450 909 135Published 10th April 2010
