After 26 years, the owners of this gracious Georgian style residence are offering it for sale.

Rich in tradition, this two-storeyed stone house began its life in 1850 as a four roomed cottage, where Henry Malpas operated the store and post office for the village of Willunga. As Henry prospered, the house grew, and by 1866, he had added a second storey, with balcony, and a new wing on the east side. Five generations of the Malpas family lived in the house over the next 109 years, preserving its architectural integrity and character.
Original features include three marble fireplaces, ornate pressed metal ceilings, Baltic pine floors, Australian cedar skirtings, architraves, built-in cupboards and a fire surround, bay windows and French doors opening to the balcony from the upstairs rooms. Massive Willunga slate flagstones form the floors of some of the downstairs rooms and the cellar, where early craftsmanship is demonstrated in the sturdy hand sawn local red gum joists, assembled with wooden pegs.
From the front door, the entrance hallway with jarrah parquet floor leads to the stairwell with its original casement windows ornamented with red and blue glass – a theme echoed in other doors and windows. The jarrah parquet also extends into the two front bedrooms. Other bedrooms have slate flagstones or timber floors.
The thick stone walls, the expansive layout, the light, airy quality and the sense of spaciousness all contribute to the house’s charm, and its comfortable, settled and welcoming feeling.

Operating for the last 16 years as highly acclaimed Bed and Breakfast accommodation, ( www.willungahouse.com.au ) Willunga House is currently disposed as: a two storeyed guest wing offering 5 bedrooms, 5 modern bathrooms, a large sitting room and a massage room, and the single storeyed east wing comprising the owners’ dining room, sitting room, bedroom, work room (with brick and timber steps to the cellar), office, kitchen, bathroom and laundry, and an outdoor stone utility/storage room.
Concessions to modern comfort include the installation of ducted evaporative cooling and split system reverse cycle air conditioning, two solar water heating units, an instant gas water heater, and solar pool heating.
Outdoor entertaining areas include a verandah and paving at the rear of the house, shaded by a mature Liquidambar tree, a verandah and vine covered
pergola adjacent to the solar heated in-ground swimming pool, and a large sheltered stone-walled courtyard shaded by an established walnut tree.
At the rear of the property a modern, fully insulated two car garage opens to Kell Street. Accessed from this is the ‘chook penthouse’ and yard. Extra storage is afforded in the four bays of the brick tank stand, which supports 2 x 11,500 litre tanks. Mains water is also connected.
Winding brick paths lead through the extensive, productive garden, which features native and exotic trees, vegetables and herbs, and over 20 fruit trees, including a variety of citrus trees, stone fruits and a mature, prolific avocado tree. Organic gardening practices have been used exclusively for 25 years.
Willunga House is ideally situated to be enjoyed as a very comfortable large family home, as professional rooms, or to continue its current use as bed and breakfast accommodation.
All this and more, situated in one of SA’s truly historic country townships, but only 45 kms from the Adelaide city centre, 12 km from the coast, and surrounded by the vineyards of the McLaren Vale region.

The best of both worlds! Inspection is strictly by appointment only.