Olivewood Historic Homestead

The property is managed by the National Trust of South Australia and contains several distinct areas. The homestead itself is furnished as it would have appeared in the late nineteenth century, while a separate centre houses working printing machines, photographic equipment and a vintage fire engine. A replica olive crusher stands beside the original olive oil processing building, and a packing shed dating to about 1890 displays equipment used in the early fruit industry.

The surrounding olive grove of approximately 90 trees is one of the oldest surviving commercial plantings in South Australia and is still productive today. The property gives a tangible sense of the ambition and ingenuity that underpinned the Chaffey irrigation schemes, which drew settlers from across the world.

The homestead is open Thursday to Monday; groups can arrange visits on other days by appointment. The site is a short drive from the Renmark riverfront and works well combined with a visit to the PS Industry paddle steamer.