Built in the 1850s, Baroota Homestead was a six-roomed pine paling house with plastered ceilings and a cemented veranda. It became the head homestead for the Baroota run.
Located on the border of Goyder's Line, the Baroota run covered a large land area of approximately 17,000 hectares and was used as rough pasture for sheep. It flourished for twelve years before a devastating drought, followed by flooding rains, killed thousands of sheep. Livelihoods were destroyed in these harsh conditions as people constantly faced relentless heat, isolation, a lack of medical facilities and a shortage of essential supplies.
The remains of this struggling homestead can be seen along the Baroota Hike trail in the
Mambray Creek section of
Mount Remarkable National Park. Alternatively, they can also be reached by car. Turn left onto Park Road from Port Augusta, and the Baroota Homestead ruins are on your right.
