South Australia
The State heritage listed Rocky River Homestead, incorporating May’s and Postman’s Cottages, was destroyed during the catastrophic Kangaroo Island bushfires or 2019/2020, with only the walls remaining.
The Department for Environment and Water made the decision to rebuild the Cottages to aid in the recovery of the Island and to uplift the visitor accommodation offerings in Flinders Chase National Park. The Cottages now provide one-bedroom accessible and a two-bedroom family accommodation options.
The reconstruction and recovery of the Rocky River Homestead following the devastating fires has lifted the spirits of the local community and will now allow the history and natural beauty of Flinders Chase to be enjoyed once again by the Islanders, visitors and tourists well into the future.
Rocky River was settled as farming land at the western end of Kangaroo Island in the late 1800s. May’s Cottage, the larger of the two buildings, was constructed around 1880. The Postman’s shack was constructed in 1898 as a room for the postman to stay in on the long delivery journeys around the island.
Following the devastating 2019 Kangaroo Island bushfires this State Heritage listed former farming complex has been reconstructed from just the remaining burnt out shells. The two humble buildings have been faithfully reconstructed with well-considered modern additions, upgrades and fitout to ensure they can be used as comfortable holiday accommodation in the middle of Flinders Chase National Park.
May’s Cottage is now a two-bedroom house with a contemporary but timeless fitout, including the new wet wing and large kitchen area. The Postman’s Cottage, originally a one room structure, has been enlarged with a new wing and is now a fully accessible holiday property. The upgraded properties now represent some best accommodation in a South Australian National Park.
The design team and the client have managed to make the best of the bushfire disaster. By taking the opportunity to upgrade these historically significant structures, their heritage values have been reinforced and their ongoing use guaranteed.
The design has endeavoured to set a new standard of contemporary heritage accommodation in the State’s parks with accessibility for more people, regardless of their physical limitations and with disabilities front of mind.
The two separate dwellings now appeal to a broader range of visitors. The lift in the standard of the offering has increased occupancy, guest satisfaction and has generated more revenue that goes back into managing the Park and conservation efforts.
The design also supports the Kangaroo Island brand, ‘Authentic Kangaroo Island’ and is a showcase for what can be done in re-imaging heritage for tourism purposes.
Sam Hosking, Project Architect
Trang Tran, Design Architect
Hosking Willis Architecture, Interior Designer
John Bowley Consulting Engineer, Structural Engineer
Trento Fuller, Building Surveyor
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
