Turning Back Time (Continued)

Koonalda homestead was leased by the Gurney family from 1938 to 1988. This station was feasible because water for their stock was pumped from Koonalda Cave, part of the Nullarbor limestone cave network, into above ground storage tanks. The homestead and out buildings and some fences were built from sleepers transported from the Trans Australia railway line at Cook some 175 kilometres away and were transported 20 at a time in an ancient small truck on rugged tracks. The timber windows and some doors are recycled from the old telegraph station at Eucla. The homestead is a rare example of World War 11 construction in the outback. Koonalda was South Australia’s most western pastoral property for 50 years. In 1989 it became part of the Nullarbor National Park.

The property is 1124 square miles and was started by Cyril and Audrey Gurney. They raised 6 children here. During her time here Audrey ran the household, nursed the travellers along the Highway, taught her children, was Station Cook, Baker and numerous other jobs.

The old Woolshed, about 500 metres from the homestead, still stands mostly intact, even with sheep manure still under the boards (last cutout was around 1987! This was a four stand shed and was made from whatever timber and iron that could be found. The yards were again constructed of sleepers sourced from Cook. They certainly make good strong fences. There was a fascinating old sheep dip out the front of the shed.

7 kilometres from the homestead is Koonalda Cave, where water was sourced for the area. At the bottom of the cave fruit trees were planted to benefit from the microclimate the cave creates.

Before heading off this morning Philip had to do some running repairs. One of our new shock absorbers had the dust guard spot welds fail. What would one expect but that he would have a micro welder on board for just such an event. “See” he said “EBay”, 60 bux the welder just paid for itself”.