The leaning shed of Tungkillo, South Australia
Leaning farm shed near Tungkillo, South Australia
I grew up on a farm in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia. We had a number of very interesting sheds on the farms, many of them built by my father. While I wasn’t interested in becoming a farmer I do remember the many pleasant hours spent poking around in the sheds at home. Now in my more mature years I enjoy travelling throughout Australia, observing the many and varied types of sheds that can be found on farms and within view of the road.
The shed shown in the photo above has been amusing my family every time we drive past. It is on a farm near to the township of Tungkillo in the eastern Mt Lofty Ranges here in South Australia. I’ve never been to Pisa to see their leaning tower so I can’t make comparisons about grace and beauty versus function. This shed is still used on occasions to store hay bales, but it is obvious that it is threatening to finally collapse in a puff of straw and dust.
But not yet.
This shed has been leaning like that for at least ten years, though the list seems to have been accentuated by recent wild stormy weather. It will be a sad day when it finally concedes to gravity because it makes me chuckle every time I see it.
Tungkillo, South Australia
1 Comment »5th August, 2011; Category: Adelaide, Adelaide Hills, Mannum, Mt Lofty Ranges, Murray River
Tungkillo Hotel, South Australia
When we go to visit our daughter in Clare in the mid north of South Australia, we usually go through the small township of Tungkillo. This town is near the eastern slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges on the road from Adelaide through Birdwood to Mannum.
In all the times we have driven through this town, I recall only stopping on one occasion – to buy an ice cream from the general store – the only store which is now closed. The hotel (shown in the photos) does good meals I believe, but we’ve never been through the town at the right time to stop for a bite to eat. The town is a small community in the midst of farming country, mainly sheep, mohair goats, cattle and some wheat farming where it isn’t too hilly.
The photo below also shows a large pipeline. This transports water from the River Murray at nearby Mannum to the reservoirs which store water for our state capital city, Adelaide.
Tungkillo Hotel, South Australia
Hay bales near Tungkillo, South Australia
Farm ruins near Palmer, South Australia
Farm ruins near Palmer, South Australia
For a good proportion of the nearly 175 year history of the state of South Australia, agriculture has been predominant. In the last few decades manufacturing and mining have taken over as our leading economic arenas.
Because of this history of settlement on the land in the early days, farms were established in many parts of the state, including many which didn’t last all that long. Travelling in the rural areas of our state reveals many formerly fine homes and farm sheds now in a poor state; most are buildings slowly becoming ruins, mere shadows of the dreams of their optimistic builders.
The buildings shown on this post can be found near the road from Palmer to Tungkillo, east of Adelaide.
Farm ruins near Palmer, South Australia
Rock formations near Palmer, South Australia
The Whispering Wall, Barossa Reservoir, South Australia
Whispering Wall at the Barossa Reservoir in South Australia
On our way to the Yorke Peninsula during our holiday last week we stopped for lunch in the picnic area of the Barossa Reservoir. This dam is between the towns of Williamstown and Gawler in the Barossa Valley wine region. This is a delightful spot to picnic and very popular with tourists and locals alike.
The dam wall was constructed between 1899 and 1902 in the shape of a parabola. After construction it was discovered that the dam had a unique acoustic effect, leading to its common name of “The Whispering Wall.” A visitor can stand at one side of the dam, speak softly towards the wall and can be heard quite clearly across the other side, about 140 metres away.
Barossa Reservoir in South Australia
Whispering Wall at the Barossa Reservoir in South Australia
Barossa Reservoir in South Australia
Flowers in a friend’s garden part 3
No Comments »5th April, 2010; Category: Adelaide Hills, Mt Lofty Ranges, Parks and Gardens, Photos, Plants
Flowers in a friend's garden
Over recent days I’ve shared some photos of flowering Australian plants. These photos were all taken in the native garden of friends of ours who live near Adelaide in the Mt Lofty Ranges. They enjoy collecting and planting native Australian plants as do we. Many of the plants found in Australia are very colourful, as illustrated by the photos I have shared in this blog.
Related Articles:
- Flowers of the Canberra Botanic Gardens
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- National Botanic Gardens, Canberra
- Australian Inland Botanic Gardens near Mildura
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Flowers in a friend's garden
Flowers in a friend's garden