A heritage-listed railway station once frequented by the likes of Prince Albert, Mary MacKillop and Sir Sidney Kidman has been reinvigorated into one of the Barossa’s most sought-after tourism accommodation that could now be yours.
Built in 1860, the old Kapunda Railway Station has been listed for sale with multimillion-dollar price hopes after undergoing a $250,000 renovation by an entrepreneur with an eye for design.
Bridget Kimber, a business consultant from Melbourne, bought the national and state heritage-listed property for $425,000 in late 2020, marking the first time in 26 years the station passed hands.
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The old Kapunda Railway Station has undergone a reinvigorating renovation.
The property is now one of the Barossa’s most sought-after luxury accommodations.
Accommodation options are diverse and include up to seven bedrooms and multiple living spaces.
The Station is close to being booked out until April next year.
Drawn to the property for its unique renovation potential, Ms Kimber said she was no stranger to hard work.
She has been crafting unique accommodation experiences as a creative outlet, including a cottage, boat and a Melbourne apartment, for the past 13 years.
“You could say it’s been the ultimate upcycling project,” Ms Kimber said.
“The building is just so solid and enveloping … but for me, it’s always been a short-term project and about development – transforming what was there that could be of use to people, which I think I’ve achieved.”
The Kapunda railway line was declared open on August 13, 1860 by the South Australian Governor, Richard Graves McDonnell and became an important railhead for goods from the north and mid-north of the state.
The last passenger train to Robertstown passed through Kapunda on May 20, 1989, but the Kapunda line still saw notable traffic up until 1996, when it was sold to Genessee Wyoming Australia under a 50 year contract.
The historic station is believed to be the last horse shunting station in Australia, with the remains of Wills and Burke – the famous explorers – brought here after they were found, to be transported back by train to Victoria.
Prince Alfred was also at the station in 1887, while other frequent travellers included Sir Sidney Kidman and Mary MacKillop, who had a reformery in Kapunda.
An image of the station as it looked in 2019, before the renovation.
The rooms were outdated and in need of an overhaul.
The home last served as a private residence and bed and breakfast.
Today, The Station hosts a range of events, including Murder on the Kapunda Express for up to 14 people, according to its website. Owner Bridget Kimber and Peter Jones are dressed up for one of the 2022 events. Picture Dean Martin
Today, the landmark property operates as a destination for luxury group escapes and bespoke celebrations, with the first guests welcomed in 2021.
It includes seven bedrooms, spacious reception rooms, a chef’s kitchen, as well as a nearly 100m long platform to host wedding receptions for up to 100 guests.
The station also serves as a backdrop for murder mystery nights with a 1920s theme.
Selling agent Rohan Semmler of Homburg Real Estate said the property was being sold on a walk-in, walk-out basis, meaning all furniture, a recently obtained liquor licence and all forward bookings are included in the sale.
While the property is being offered without a price guide, a price filter search on realestate.com.au indicates its vendor could be chasing somewhere between $2m and $2.25m.
“Offering group accommodation since 2021, The Station has earned such a prestigious reputation that guests need to plan ahead to secure a booking with weekends typically booked out six months in advance,” Mr Semmler said.
“In fact, there are only about four weekends left to book between now and April so it’s very much a thriving business and someone could make one hell of a go of it.”
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