ATTRACTIONS GRANGE SA

Historic home ‘Grange’ and exhibition gallery

The Grange is the former colonial residence of the renowned explorer Captain Charles Napier Sturt. It was built in 1840 in what was known as the “Reedbeds”.  After many years of neglect, the house was restored in the 1960s  to ensure that Sturt’s contribution to South Australia’s history was preserved. 

Sturt’s  most significant expedition, the 1829-30 journey to the mouth of the River Murray, played a major role in the establishment of South Australia.  The Grange was also the point of departure for Captain Sturt’s expedition into Central Australia in 1844-46 whereupon he reached within 280kms from the centre of Australia.

In 2004 an extensive gallery wing was developed to display significant artefacts belonging to Captain Sturt which include the Union Jacks carried on both Sturt’s major expeditions, Sturt’s  travelling wash stand, his telescope and the original Desert Peas collected on his return  journey from central Australia.  The Sturt Desert Pea became the State Flora Emblem.

The Grange is registered on the National Estate and the State Heritage List. The museum is a Registered Museum with HistorySA. 

A special feature for visitors is the Herbert Croker model of Sturt’s campsite on the Murrumbidgee River before the boats were assembled for the voyage down the River Murray.  The breathtaking model details with great precision all the elements of the campsite, from the construction of the whale boat with carpentry tools to tent accommodation, eating utensils and weaponry.

The museum offers guided tours of the ‘Grange’, interpretive displays accounting  the life and times of Sturt and a series of media displays which capture the essence of Sturt’s expeditions.