Old Government House at Belair: Keith visits this hills retreat in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia

Keith Conlon: We're at the end of another long hot summer when we've had to endure some record breaking hot days. While we can escape the heat thanks to modern day air conditioning - spare a thought for our forefathers - there was no escaping the heat on the Adelaide plains back then. Unless, of course, you were at the top of society - then you could retreat into the Adelaide Hills.

Conveniently tucked away in the cooler climes of the Mount Lofty Ranges stands a handsome Victorian-style house boasting a very impressive vice regal pedigree. Old Government House is at the heart of that huge swathe of bushland on the hills face we know as Belair National Park.

Annette McLean, President of the Friends of Old Government House: "This began as the Government Farm in the 1840s. They came up here and built Old Government House in the 1860 to have a hunting and shooting lodge. It was for the Governor to get away from the summer heat in the town."

Built one hundred and fifty years ago on land originally put aside as the Government Farm, the house offered a welcome distraction for the man who had it built, South Australia's sixth Governor, Sir Richard MacDonnell.

The newspapers of the time might have described it rather loftily as the Governor's 'country villa' but it was more like a lodge - albeit a pretty grand one!

Annette: "It looks bigger from the outside. It was supposed to look grand so they built a turret to fly the flag. They used to come up the hill to the impressive site."

Governor Daly was next to take up residence and he was keen to show off the hills' potential bounty.

Annette: "In November 1876, the Duke of Edinburgh came up from Adelaide and they had a possum shoot. Of course, it wasn't a National Park in those days! The house was more like a hunting lodge. About sixty people came up from Adelaide, through Mitcham and Old Belair Road and they had a big party after a good shooting session."

The Governors eventually outgrew this place and moved on to the larger and much grander summer residence at Marble Hill in 1878. Once the Governors move on, the servant's quarters just up the rise took on an entirely new use. They became the 'bi-sulphide of carbon manufactory' which is a fancy way of saying they made a lot or rabbit poison.

The house has had a number of lives since, including living quarters for the Woods and Forests but in 1891, the Government Farm became the state's first National Park

In their quarter of a century custodianship, the Friends have done a delightful job at restoring the house. It's doubtful the rooms were this well decorated in the Governors' day - after all, it was only a summerhouse but the period furniture donated by the public gives a wonderful glimpse into the era.

In the study you'll find the only piece of original furniture - Governor Daly's chair. Built in Adelaide specially for him for the grand cost of 5 pounds 10 shillings, it's a precious piece because all the other original furniture was moved to Marble Hill, which was tragically destroyed in the Ash Wednesday bushfires.

In another room there's the ultimate 19th century symbol of decadence - a lead-lined plunge pool.

Annette: "This is recorded as the first indoor swimming pool as they weren't allowed to bathe outside. It was fed from a mineral spring that was continuously running. Just the thing after a hard day's possum shooting!"

Old Government House is open every Sunday - but my tip is organise a bus trip and then Annette's fresh scones become part of the tour. It's open every Sunday and on Public Holidays between 1pm - 4pm. For group tours and wedding enquiries give the Friends a call.

To celebrate 25 years, they've also produced a lovely new book about the place - it's available at the house. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

Old Government House Belair National Park Upper Sturt Road Open Sundays 1pm - 4pm Bookings 8278 5477

Published 30th March 2008