Every October long weekend we make the journey to a place called Bundaleer forest.
This is one of the very first forest nurseries developed in the state of South Australia for the specific purpose of generating a sustainable wood supply for our state. Bundaleer is situated around 5 kilometers out of Jamestown a small town in the states mid north. It is around a 2.1/2-hour drive from Adelaide.
Bundaleer is a wondrous place and forms a part of the famous Mawson and Heysen trails. Which concurrently have been developed into walking trails and riding trails for the people and the visitors of our state.
Kernow's hut is the hut in which the forest ranger lived a century ago. He was positioned there with the purpose of maintaining the plantings of many pine trees. The hut was burnt down mid 20th century and the local historical society rebuilt the hut for the use of people who trek the lengths of the Heysen trail in the 80's. The hut is open to all users. So if someone else comes you need to move over and share.
Arriving after a long scenic drive through the states mid north wine regions and wheat belt we finally come to the road that leads to our destination. There is a sense of excitement and anticipation as you start driving up a long narrow dirt road that is deeply rutted from the flows of running water a hut can be seen in the distance. It is a stone hut. Surrounded by very old acorn trees. A faint path can be seen leading to its door.I wonder what tales it can tell, who has walked along that pathway?
The door has no lock (as the hut is open for all comers as a means of shelter). Slated steps lead to the front door. As the door is opened a loud creaking noise can be heard, as the door creaks you feel a real sense of eerieness, what ghost might you be awakening. On inspection of the hut there is evidence of white ant damage to the door. Campers need to be very gentle as they close it or it would fall apart. There is a large stone on the floor people have been using to keep the door shut, it can get really windy there, the door bashes and bangs in the wind, my daughter got spooked really quickly, i wont admit i did too.
There is a short hallway and the walls are rendered stone. The render has cracks with large portions having crumbled and fallen to the ground over the years. When you look up you notice the walls do not reach the ceilings. You can see they are around a foot wide as you look through the doorway to your left, into a room that has a double story loft. Made of wood the loft can sleep up to 6 people downstairs and 6 people upstairs. There is no bedding provided so you have to be self-sufficient to survive there. We took sleeping bags, rugs and pillows for our comfort, some people who came and slept the night roughed it more than we did, only bringing enough to keep them warm, for the nights there can get so cold.
Across the hall there is another door. Peeking around the corner there is a barrel with a sign over it " please refill this wood stock pile so the next user may have warmth in a time of need". There is a large broom next to the wood barrel. The open fireplace has a large cast iron fire grill. It has been set up so as all you need to do is light it as the day cools. This room has two small wooden ledges that can be used for seating during the day. During the night the ledges provide extra sleeping space for two more people.
Leaving the lounge area the hall leads to the final room of the hut. The kitchen meal area is large and clear. There is another fireplace and the evidence suggests it is rarely used. The back wall of the hut has two large sliding glass windows that give a lovely view of the surrounding forest and a very large dam. The windows are buzzing with flies attracted by the warmth of the sun shining down onto them. A large double sink and a large stone slab acting as a table. The only features in this area. Looking out the window in the distance you can see dark gloomy clouds over the top of Mt Campbell the highest peak of this area.
