More Amazing Castles in Adelaide

by Dave Walsh (subscribe)

After writing recently about the Amazing Castles in Adelaide I was surprised to discover even more heritage homes that I had missed (thanks you readers). If you include historic houses in South Australia that are so popular as wedding venues, the list of grand mansions becomes longer still.

Victor Harbor boasts two castles - Adare Castle was built by D.H Cudmore in 1891 and named after the family home in Ireland. Adare Castle's soaring spires look like they're straight out of a fairy tale, and what more charm could you want for a wedding venue?



Across the Hindmarsh river you can find Mount Breckan house, a Victor Harbor castle built by Alexander Hay in 1881. Originally one of the largest residences in Australia, the Mount Breckan baronial castle had more than sixty rooms and cost ₤25,000 to build. It was destroyed by fire in 1909 and then partly rebuilt with thirty eight rooms. It is now planned to be centrepiece of the Mount Breckan redevelopment, losing its grounds to a housing estate.



The Rat's Castle in Adelaide Zoo was on a completely different scale, but was a popular attraction in 1890. Interestingly there don't seem to be any fences which must have made it popular with neighbours.



Cudmore House on South Road was another of the residential "castles" in Adelaide. Its crenellated roof gave it a very distinctive appearance, but little is known of it except that it was the home of William Humberstone around 1900. The area was once known as Cudmore Park, perhaps named after the house.



Another of Adelaide's historic houses is Dunluce Castle, Brighton. Its crenellated towers may conceal a dark secret - the ghost of original owner Reverend Alexander Macully. If a haunted castle in Adelaide is your thing, Dunluce Castle is open during South Australia's History Festival.



Carrick Hill and Cummins House are both historic houses Adelaide couples love to use as wedding venues, but Martindale Hall reigns supreme as a South Australian heritage tourism attraction. Thousands of people opposed it being converted to a wellness retreat for the wealthy, and now the National Trust of South Australia has lodged an unsolicited bid to keep it open for all South Australians.



Carclew House is another of the heritage homes which sports spires like fairy tale castles, and its gardens are sought after for weddings. Auchendarroch House in Mount Barker has more of a fortress feel, but is an amazing heritage building.



Many castles in Adelaide have been lost over time. The mini patriot's palace was a temporary castle erected for the Glenelg Patriotic Festival in 1915, and has since been replaced by a memorial arch.



Just down the road Seafield Tower Glenelg has become a very different sort of tower since the original heritage homes graced the sea front in 1877.



Look very closely about the suburbs and you will find other magnificent historic houses Adelaide has all but forgotten. In North Adelaide Neidpath still stands in a beautiful garden setting.



Bowilla is buried in Hawthorn, its crenellated corner just visible from the street. Also called Atholwood, it was built in the 1900's with large bay windows to create a music room.



Finally, Tranmere House is tucked away where casual searchers won't see it. This breathtaking palace with ornate cupolas was built in 1898 and has fortunately survived so far. It's just a pity that we can't appreciate heritage homes like this in their original setting.

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Why? A haunted castle is fantastic fun

Where: All around South Australia

Cost: Free

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