As the year draws to a close, and a new year approaches, Roy decided he wanted to look back over some of the amazing places and things which he and Rover have visited this year. Roy is lucky to see many new and fascinating places, but some of his favourite things to investigate are those which most people wouldn’t even notice. The tree in the photos here, and the tiny cottage behind it, are one such historic site!
If you would like to visit these historic hidden gems, they are located in the Jamberoo area on the South Coast. They are actually very close to the Minnamurra Rainforest, located just downstream. In fact, the cottage and tree are just adjacent to the entrance to the National Park, on the right immediately after crossing a small bridge.
Roy was attracted to visit this mysterious heritage site in honour of the tree which dominates the photos. You may be thinking by now ‘what is so special about the tree?’ but this is no ordinary tree. The historic plant is a camellia and is thought to be one of, if not the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere. The tree is enormous and when Roy visited (he gained permission to get up close) the tree was in bloom, featuring two separate coloured flowers in pink and white!
Unfortunately Roy has been unable to find out exactly when the camellia was planted, but it stands in front of an historic cottage known as ‘Kelly’s Cottage’. Michael Kelly built his small house in 1853-1854 and perhaps the camellia dates back to a similar time! The cottage was built of turpentine slabs with a sandstone and brick fireplace and chimney and originally had a shingle roof. The roof was later covered with corrugated iron. Originally the cottage was lined with cedar but these slabs, along with the chimney and mantlepiece were removed to a local museum which was once in the area of Minnamurra Falls. Roy has been unable to find out what happened to them after that but he hopes that the historic cottage and the building behind (which he wonders - could it have been the kitchen?) will be conserved for future visitors.