Martindale Hall — Attraction in Mintaro

Martindale Hall- nearly jibbed at the $12 entry, but so glad I didn't. The stairs are astounding, the front for beauty, the backstairs for OH&S risk...Not for the frailer bodied, stick to the front stairs. Such astounding pieces of furniture and trinkets, all full of notations and explanations. If only Ayers house would give back the chandelier- the current foyer configuration is a disappointment.. nothing else is, however. The silver , pictures and furnishings on display are truly amazing. Looking at how the rich ppls methods of ablutions haha! Astounding the use of sheet leading to seal the edges around the floor of the bath and the butlers pantry washing up sink. Never think of it now we know the dangers of lead. Entry to one of the rooms will leave you with your heart racing without knowing why. Then you read the card and think... it figures. I won't say which room.. Wait until you go and see if you notice... Wonderful lawns and I have heard the stables are good too but I didn't go. A charming man in a Harry the Vet hat was a mine of information at the front entry xx Thanks for being there on the day so we all could have a lovely time looking at this state treasure! Well...

A great deal at the $5 entry fee.

An exquisite example of colonialist cultural cringe and overreach. Unfortunately, the original owner was bankrupt within 11 years ... probably from the cost of heating it in winter.

The next owner demonstrated their nouveau riche credentials with an unstructured collection of souveneirs from their world travels. Some would describe the collection as eclectic, others as a mish-mash. The vendor who sold them the carpets is probably still laughing.

In the Smoke Room, where many of the souveneirs are displayed, three items are falsely described as "opium pipes". They are, in fact, Chinese water pipes which are used for smoking tobacco. A similar level of scholarship and taste is shown with the nargile (a Turkish water pipe), the prominently displayed example would sell in the tackiest tourist shop in the Grand Bazzar with a first price of $5.

Martindale Hall sits, lonely in a forgotten backwater of the rolling hills of the Clare Valley. Safe from the inevitable sniggering at its pretentions if it were closer to civilisation.

Unfortunately the admission fee is a hefty $15, hidden until you are inside.

They don't make them like...

The Martindale Hall is a great place to visit. The House has amazing displays of furniture, paintings, and a grand staircase, plus lots more, with interesting reading, informing you of the displays in each room and how the household was run. It was $20 per adult admission (no seniors discounts) and I think children were $10. each. The 2 ladies running the venue, we're very pleasant and helpful when we asked questions at the end of our visit.

They do have an outdoor maze there as well. But unfortunately it was closed. I'm not sure if that is permanently or just for now. There is a Coach House and stables which you have passed on your way in to the Hall, you can look around the Coach House, it does have a small coach inside, but you cannot go into it. Hope this helps, but honestly, seeing is believing, in my opinion photos do not do this magnificent...