After 127 years, the explorers home finds a new family

The home sits upon 2.6 hectares of land – that when it was first sold (in 1890), would have been called 6.5 acres.

The township of Currency Creek was named after the whaling boat used by early explorers here, the Currency Lass, and has tied the water way, the explorers and the beautiful Lake Alexandrina together for more than a century.

The house at 41 O’Halloran Street is in many ways very original, the grand front steps up to the veranda are just begging to be hurried down by children eager to climb nearby trees many that have been here as long as the steps.

And the veranda – an ideal spot to take in all the elevated view offers, includes views to the creek, as well as those of the rambling garden and sheds.

Peter Scott and his wife Josie Scott were the third generation to own the home, and it is Josie who knows the rich history of the house and the family.

Her husband Peter’s great grandfather was Peter Bates Scott, a renowned Australian explorer; a compatriot of such early luminaries as Charles Sturt and John Eyre, with whom he shared many expeditions along the unchartered waterways, such as the Murray and the Murrumbidgee. He also shared great journeys with George Hamilton, with who he overlanded sheep from Sydney and Melbourne, and onto Adelaide.

As a retirement plan, in 1930, Mr Scott built this lovely home for he and his wife, naming it after his friend and colleague, it became known as Hamilton Lodge.

To say there is a lot to be done here is a blatant under statement, but to people who care about history, and original design and heritage, and who are in no rush to finish the job, that is neither here nor there.

The new owners, Caleb and Brooke Wheatley are thrilled with their purchase. A builder carpenter by trade, Mr Wheatley has been on the lookout for a project like this for a long while.

“We look at real estate all the time,” Mr Wheatley said.

“I’m always saying to Brooke – look at this one! But when we saw this ad, this house, she said yeah, let’s go and have a look.”

Ray White Goolwa | Victor Harbor’s Nathan Fry was delighted by the response to the property's campaign, though it did fit the trend in the area of a shorter time on market experience that is being felt by his current vendors.

The young family of four (soon to be five) met up with vendors, and each it would be fair to say, felt a connection with the other and the $385,000 deal was done.

“We are so grateful that the Scott’s picked us,” said Mr Wheatley who says h and the family will be in their caravan for a few months while they get the basics done on their new home.

A new home, in March a new baby and a massive renovation – one has to wonder if they are flat out crazy?

“Yeah, we are!,” said Mr Wheatley without hesitation. “But our lives are fluid at this point, and we love this place.”

On the other side of the deal, and the Scotts are equally thrilled with the sale.

“We are really happy that we have sold it to this family – they are really excited about being here,” said Josie Scott. “It’s going to a family that really cares about the property, they will make it their home, and make their own history here.”

A new home, in March a new baby and a massive renovation – one has to wonder if they are flat out crazy?

“Yeah, we are!,” said Mr Wheatley without hesitation. “But our lives are fluid at this point, and we love this place.”

On the other side of the deal, and the Scotts are equally thrilled with the sale.

“We are really happy that we have sold it to this family – they are really excited about being here,” said Josie Scott. “It’s going to a family that really cares about the property, they will make it their home, and make their own history here.”