Queensland Roadtrip Part 6
Within 16 acres outside of Herberton is where vintage Australia comes alive as their pioneers climb out of the history books. The village puts the fun back into history with a nature trail incorporating houses and machinery.
The grounds have around 60 lovingly restored period buildings, including the 130-year-old Elderslie House as well as antique motor vehicles, turn of the century machinery, small engines and rare John Deere tractors. All depicting a 1870s tin-mining town where the restored buildings are filled with memorabilia.
There’s a pub, bank, chemist shop, grocer, printer, school, dress shop, jail and more. Not forgetting a stop into the Bakerville Tearooms for a spot of homemade cooking to be washed down with a reasonable cup of coffee. Which of course we did, would have been rude not to, don’t you think?
What this experience gave us an extensive visual insight into the life of the Australian Pioneer days. With the added bonus of the Squire finding tractors that his grandfather/father used on the family farm when he was a land. They even had a tractor resembling one that we owned, swore at numerous times for not working correctly and one that I loved to “zoom” around our orchard many moons ago.
An enjoyable time reminiscing had by both of us. Here are some of the highlights.
The Grounds
A 70-metre suspension bridge links the two sides of Wild River on the Village’s 16-acre property. Made entirely from locally cut Moreton Bay Ash, Carbeen and Blue Gum timbers, the two big towers, which feature 12-metre high poles with thick 500mm diameters, support the weight of the suspension bridge. We walked across to discover a range of attractions such as the line up of tractors and a vast English Electric Generator.
This generator was made in Preston, in the U.K., this 16-cylinder, V configuration diesel engine, with its massive brass radiator weighs in at close to 40 tonnes. It is designated as 16SVG – the 16 indicates a number of cylinders, S indicates that it is supercharged, V describes the cylinder arrangement and G states that it is set up for power generation.
The engine is fitted with four Napier superchargers and supplies power to an English Electric 1350 KVA generator.
Then there was the bushwalk tracks and the Pioneer Camp which generated much more interest for me.
There is something about a windmill that catches my eye, this one was part of the Nature Trail. It’s reflections on the Wild River.
The Buildings
Leaving the Bakerville Pub, which is now tearooms the view from there is of the jail and lockup. For those that cause trouble in the tearooms.
The Squire walking on past the frock salon for some reason it didn’t interest him, me, on the other hand, did a right turn instead of going straight on.
Above is the 130-year-old Elderslie House, beautifully restored.
Tin Pannikin Pub with not a level line in sight. Very quirky and fun.
Machinery
One of the mechanics brought the car out to that spot so I could take a photo of the Squire with the newly restored car. Dreams are free, not so much these cars.
The line up of tractors and which resulted in us laughing and sharing our thoughts of time gone past.
Photography
As you know, I am intrigued by photography and the history of how it all started. Interesting to learn more via our stop in Herberton.
With the crazy festive season coming up rather fast let me leave you with what Kodak suggests you do.
Have a “Give and Take” Christmas. By merely giving a Kodak gift and taking an image of your festive season.
Life at No. 22 
Wonderful photos. I too love looking at how ordinary folk lived in the past at pioneer and historic villages. I never go past one in our travels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The historic villages are so well cared for by enthusiasts and their enthusiasm is contagious. Les loved the line up of tractors brought back many memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must be a sign of our great age haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep 😆🙂
LikeLike
Oh wow. That looks wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was interesting and worth visiting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful place Suzanne! A whole museum village! I’d have turned right too into the ‘frock shop’ 🙂 Love the look of the pub and interesting that the generator comes from the UK. Lovely to read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The frock shop was fun and some were exquisite. Very feminine and perhaps totally unpractical for life downunder 🙂
LikeLike
Love the pannikin pub and those tractors.. amazing..
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fabulous looking place Suz! I loved the restored house and the quirky buildings look fabulous. How was the frock shop?? Shared for #mlstl
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apologies for the late reply Deb, back now catching up 🙂 The frock shop was fun and the detail of some were extraordinary. I just couldn’t imagine how they endured the hot climate wearing layers of clothing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No drama Suz, you’ve had a lot going on. Hope you are both doing OK. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for asking Deb, we are good thanks. Les is very tired so he’s having a few days of total rest. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very interesting post, Suzanne. Especially, since it brings back actual memories from your childhood. The photo with the windmill depicts an idyllic area. Beautiful! Interesting about the history of photography and photographic supplies. I enjoyed all of your photos. Thank you for sharing:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely Suzanne and I enjoy visiting historical places although I live in Qld and never visited Herberton. It is good to see history being preserved and thanks for sharing at #MLSTL. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting Sue and to be fair Qld is a huge place with a fair amount to see.
LikeLike
I just googled Heberton to find out some more about it. It looks (and sounds) absolutely fascinating. And youre photos are, as always, great. I’m loving this series you’re doing on Queensland and learning so much about places we’re yet to visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jo, apologies for the delay in replying. Thanks Jo it is fun remembering the highlights of our trip. I have a few more, just need a bit more time to organise myself to get them completed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to them…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love history presented this way! An interesting visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So do I. Far more user friendly than a musuem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post. Thank you.
Have a good day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting and have a good one too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the photo of the old cameras!
Will have to visit when I get back…. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You will Nilla 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That looks like an interesting place. Like you, I would have wanted a look in the frock shop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The heydays certainly had ornate dresses. Just lovely to get all dressed up for the dances in the local hall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Suzanne – what a quaint and beautiful little township. I love the house being restored – but it cetainly contrasted with the other “rustic” buildings – and I’d have made a right turn into that frock shop too (while my husband strolled past!)
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Leanne, thanks for commenting and for doing the linkup. It made us smile that when we visit these “vintage” places how much “stuff” there is from our earlier lives 🙂
LikeLike
Looks like a wonderful and amazing place. Very nice. #MLSTL
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a gorgeous old homestead. I would love to live in something like that. So full of character and so practical in our Summers. Thanks for sharing your day out, Mel
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it lovely, there is something about a veranda. For me, it screams out to relax and enjoy the view, especially in very hot climates
LikeLiked by 1 person
and with something cold and refreshing in your hand!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Suzanne – What a brilliant way to bring history to life.
I wholeheartedly agree. It would have been rude not to have a drink and food in the Bakerville Tearoom. You were just being polite! #MLSTL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Donna, yes the place was well thought out. Just fixed a few mistakes, whoops! Easy to justify a cafe stop after a walk, it’s like the icing on the cake for being outdoors exercising 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve always wanted to go there. Maybe with the grandsons next northern visit. Nice description!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rosie, I am sure you will all enjoy it, a bit of everything to interest most age groups. I only wrote about a small part of what was on offer.
LikeLiked by 1 person