Brooklands Heritage B&B: Keith investigates places to stay in the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia
It was blowing a gale the day we called into Brooklands Heritage B&B but it didn't matter - the views of the whitecaps being whipped up on the South Coast only added to the atmosphere. A little wind's not unusual - after all we're high on a hill overlooking glorious Port Elliot on the Fleurieu Peninsula, about an hour and a half drive south of Adelaide.
The owners of the little cottage say it harks back to 1839 and it seems when you buy this place you'll own it for a long time. Wendy and Tony Fawcus are the present custodians and remarkably, they are only the fourth owners in 170 years.
Thomas and Rebecca Mayfield built the cottage after they hopped off the ship from London way back in 1839. They called it home with their 9 kids for several years while they built the larger, much grander homestead next door.
Wendy Fawcus, Brooklands Heritage B&B: "I think the charm of the cottage is that it was built from local materials. The stones in the walls were quarried from the hills behind, the floors were old float stones, the ceilings are made from timbers off the boats."
Wendy and Tony fell in love with it five years ago when it was a broken down ramshackle. They've spent the time since transforming it from a cow shed to a classy B&B.
There are great views of the Bluff at Victor Harbor from the bed - and from the loo! The original matchstick ceilings and white washed walls give a real sense of early South Australian history. After all, the bloke that built it, Thomas Mayfield was one of the area's early settlers.
Wendy: "They set up a farm, orchards and vegetable gardens so there were orangeries, olive groves, there were almond groves and they supplied a lot of the fruit and vegetables to Victor Harbor in the early days."
Tragically, the 5 acres of orchards and ornamental gardens were destroyed in a bushfire in 1959 but the new drought tolerant garden planted by a Wendy and Tony is taking shape. The steep climb up the hill behind the cottage is worth it. Wendy reckons the sweeping views from Victor all the way to the Coorong make all the hard renovations worth it.
The blood, sweat and tears have certainly paid off. Brooklands is just the place from which to explore the rest of the Fleurieu Peninsula - or, perhaps you won't be able to tear yourself away from this little slice of colonial history. But spare a thought for Tony and Wendy while they contemplate the renovation of the homestead next door. That's worth waiting for.
Brooklands Heritage B&B is featured in the new Bed & Breakfast and Farmstay Accommodation Guide. It lists more than 150 places to stay all over the state. Pick up a copy from your nearest tourist office or log for all the properties, special deals and the booking service.
Brooklands Heritage B&B is on Heysen Road, high on the hill behind Port Elliot. They're on the web too. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Bed & Breakfast and Farmstay Guide Available from Tourist Offices
Brooklands Heritage B&B
Port Elliot
Ph 8554 3808Published 3rd August 2008
