Caretaker’s cottage

This tiny galvanised iron cottage in Belair National Park was firstly an iron sleeping room for the Park blacksmith and was erected in 1926. It measured a mere 12’ x 10’.

In 1934 the Commissioners decided to add another room, a verandah, and a brick fire place, and use it for their weekend shack. They planted a hedge of Acacia decurrens, hung historic pictures in it and had a luncheon at the shack during each park inspection in the 1930’s and 40’s.

The “Hut” used to be fully furnished with bunks, wood stove, cutlery crockery and utensils. As recently as 1970 it was being used as a dwelling for a Ranger and family, during the times of housing shortages.

In recent years it has been used as a storage shed for office records and as a lunch room for Park staff. They even have a TV in there!