Dundullimal Homestead

Dundullimal Homestead is a colonial slab hut type homestead located about 10 km south of Dubbo, New South Wales, on Obley Road and the Macquarie River. It is located six kilometres further out of town than Western Plains Zoo.

Built in the early 1840s as the head station of a 6,500 hectare squatting run, the building is believed to be the oldest surviving slab hut house in Australia. The homestead is also Dubbo's oldest building open to the public. Its interior is relatively sophisticated for its type, with an imposing sitting room is noted for its tent-shaped plaster ceiling, and wallpaper reproduced from an 1850 patern. The house is furnished with original period furniture.

The working areas include a sandstone stables complex, the blacksmith's forge, coach room, sunken cool room, and stores. This complex of buildings reflects the practical elements of rural life on a large, isolated property during the nineteenth century.

The building is administered by the National Trust and has become a major and significant tourist attraction in the Dubbo area attracting large numbers of visitors from all around the country. Unfortunately for weekend visitors to Dubbo, the property is only open Tuesday - Thursday 10am-4pm unless special arrangements are made in advance. An additional fee applies for visits outside of normal hours.

More details including some history can be found in this Australian Heritage Database article

Website: http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/properties/dundullimal/default.asp