427 Springs Road

Mount Barker Springs SA 5251

As you wander through this charming historic property take some time to consider what life must have been like for these early settlers - they must have taken a day or two to get to Adelaide by bullock cart - unlike us popping down to the city via the freeway in just 25 minutes.

Heritage listings
The school house is considered most worthy of listing by the National Trust, the plaque can be found on the front of the house beside the door. The National Trust in Australia can be described as a body of volunteers who care for and appreciate lovely old buildings. It is also on both the State and Local Heritage lists, meaning its existence is guaranteed for future generations to enjoy and educate themselves about the history of these rural settlements built by our hardworking pioneer families.

The School
The School House is constructed of beautiful local stone. In parts these walls are 475mm thick keeping the building well insulated all year round. As you explore you will find initials carved in the stone by mischievous past students. Originally the school house had a timber shingle roof. The new colourbond roof covers the shingles now but they still provide extra insulation to the school house which has now been converted into this heavenly home.
The headmaster lived in the front section having his sitting room with an open fireplace where the guest bedroom is now, and his bedroom is now the children's room. Two steps lead down from the timber floored hallway into the large bathroom with its old cast iron claw foot bath, toilet and vanity. This would have been Mr Shackleford's kitchen.
At the end of the hallway we step down into the fabulous open plan living /dining room and country kitchen with the clever addition of a staircase leading to a mezzanine floor helping to fill the voluminous space that was once the school room.
When the current owners purchased Burnbank School House in 1998, an old tin structure adjoined a portion of the northern wall. This was where the students kept their bags. We can still see where the old boiler sat in the corner against the stone wall however this area has been changed to include a modern laundry and side exit to the garden and washing line.

A sympathetic extension for an additional master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and entertaining deck was approved by the heritage bodies and completed in 2005.
This air conditioned room creates a retreat away from the main body of the house with the most serene outlook to the terrace and its surrounding gardens. Breakfast on the deck will have you truly pinching yourself to check that you are not dreaming and you really are the fortunate owners of such a remarkable property in this peaceful location.

The Gardens
The gardens have been lovingly tendered and nurtured into their current format.
They reflect and enhance the old world charm of Burnbank School house and are a cool haven for native birds and insects. A very old Robinia tree provides significant amounts of shade with a crab apple , flowering and weeping cherries being
splendid feature trees in the Spring. The owners have a love of roses and have planted numerous bushes that have been lovingly sourced from their travels around Australia. A trellis of Westerlands feature on the terrace.
The house gardens are simply stunning, they will delight you as you discover the different zones but you will also be thrilled with your own private parkland at the bottom of the hill. An easy stroll from the deck takes you down to the spring and the naturally lush green grass that will become your favourite place to picnic. The resident goose and ducks will no doubt greet you in the hope of a feed. There are also stables down here, a machinery shed and a bountiful supply of timber that will be very useful for the slow combustion fire in the winter months.
There is an additional parcel of land measuring 2300m2 that is leased from the crown for a nominal rent that is used and enjoyed by the owners and especially the ducks and goose who spend a lot of time in the permanent spring. Take a gentle climb to the top of the hill where you will find a beautiful flat area of land that would suit a pony arena
You can also enjoy a pleasing view of the house and gardens and distant views to the summit of Mount Barker.

Watering
Watering our gardens has become a major issue here in South Australia over the past decade or so. No issues here. This property has its own totally independent water supply. The bore water, suitable for stock and garden use is softened and filtered and then passes through a small desalination plant to produce water as good as rainwater. You have an endless supply of water all year round for both domestic and garden purposes.. In addition to the 22,000 litre garden water storage tank there is also a 130,000 litre concrete rainwater tank which services the house.

Shedding and Carports
A discreet double carport measures 6x6 m is located adjacent to the house.
The 9 x 6m shed with mezzanine storage has multiple uses.