Stranraer Homestead

The next time you're reclining in front of the telly, taking in the action from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, spare a thought for that other MCG, you know the one, down south, way south, near Kingscote on Kangaroo Island. This is home to the MacGillivray Cricket Club one of the oldest on Kangaroo Island. And no this isn't the island's version of a sight screen but a classic piece of farm history. Stranraer Homestead about thirty kilometres from Kingscote was built in 1920 by Robert Wheaton a man with a real passion for cricket. "He was a very keen sportsman and made sure one of the first grounds was established here." For grandson, Graham Wheaton, the obsession with cricket continues with this country paddock reverberating to the sound of leather on willow every summer. But there aren't many grounds where the members can watch from the front porch of the family home while taking in the fragrances of a country garden. The homestead itself was built from local limestone and took three years to finish. The 1300 hectare property is typical of kangaroo Island, a productive farm which over the years has produced plenty of wool and grain. But as with many farms, the slump in the wool price has forced its owners to diversify into tourism and thanks to the efforts of Lyn Wheaton, Stranraer now ranks as one of the best bed and breakfasts on the Island. "It works in quite well because you have flexible time in the farming and so on and people love to see the lambs etc. happening here. I suppose we're still fortunate to be able to still farm the three thousand acres. I mean farming isn't that prosperous these days and yet we're able to keep it going." Stranraer Homestead is open daily. Bed and breakfast accommodation costs $130 per couple. For bookings contact Lyn or Graham Wheaton on (08) 8553 8235. For more information you can email info@postcards.sa.com.au