Avon Downs Homestead
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Avon Downs Station is situated 70km west of Camooweal, Queensland, and 250km North West of Mount Isa. The property occupies some 3939 square kms of NT Portion 298 (Perpetual Pastoral Lease No. 926). |  |
| Gazettal Date | |
| 26th October 2005 Northern Territory Government Gazette No.G43 | |
| Description | |
| The heritage places specified in the declaration include: Stone kitchen building foundations Overshot dam Pre-1933 workshop 1950’s Sidney Williams Hut store 1950’s meat house 1950’s jackeroo’s quarters 1968 head stockman’s quarters 1968 elevated store 1968 men’s barrack quarters Garden shed Marshall steam engine Graves of Herbert, Harold and Len Lloyd |
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| Statement of Heritage Value | |
| Avon Downs pastoral station is highly significant to the Territory as it represents one of the earliest and most successful sheep stations and for its association with some of the pioneer explorers, pastoralists, and settlers of the Barkly Tableland. The various buildings at Avon Downs are excellent examples of progressive building techniques and styles dating from the mid 1800’s to the mid 1900’s. The well site and boiler located at Bulls Creek, the Overshot Dam on the James River, the old Marshal steam engine and the dam construction scoop provide tangible evidence of the physical and financial burdens experienced by the early pastoralists when developing their properties. The property’s association with the James River and the Barkly Stock-route was highly significant for drovers overlanding cattle to southern markets. It was also the site of early contact between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people and marks the final resting place of four people whom had lived and worked in the Barkly Region. |
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| Further Reading | |
| to be provided. | |
