Appealinna Hill and Wills Homestead

Appealinna Hill and Wills Homestead are significant historical sites located in the Flinders Ranges National Park of South Australia. Here’s what we know about these locations:

Appealinna Ruins

Appealinna was the site of a permanent waterhole in the Flinders Ranges, which made it an attractive location for early settlers. In 1856, Joseph Wills, a modest English pastoralist, took up a pastoral lease here and began establishing his homestead.

Historical Conflict

Soon after Wills settled the area, copper miners arrived and set up camp across the creek on the northern side. This led to a 13-year dispute over lease boundaries and access to the Appealinna Water spring.

The historic conflict at Appealinna centered around access to a vital water source. Here are the key details of this dispute:

1. In 1856, Joseph Wills, an English pastoralist, established a pastoral lease on the southern side of Appealinna Creek.
2. Soon after Wills settled, copper miners arrived and set up camp on the northern side of the creek.
3. A 13-year dispute erupted over lease boundaries and access to the Appealinna Water spring.
4. The conflict was exacerbated by different interpretations of map boundaries by various parties.
5. Wills took matters into his own hands when other methods failed.
6. The miners, who had more influence in Parliament, lobbied to have the water source removed from Wills’ lease.
7. At one point, Wills impounded 100 of his neighbor’s sheep, forcing the neighbor to pay to have them returned.
8. There was an incident with a shepherd, which led to Wills being sentenced to four years of hard labor in prison.
9. While Wills was in prison, his wife Sarah and children kept the station running.
10. The mine manager and purser successfully lobbied the government to remove the creek and waterhole from Wills’ lease, effectively cutting off his water supply.
11. In a final act of defiance, Wills burned two shepherd’s huts when new owners fenced off the watering hole.
12. Wills lost the subsequent court case, fell behind on his lease payments, and was forced to sell his stock and move on in 1871.

This conflict highlights the crucial importance of water access in the arid Flinders Ranges and the intense competition between pastoral and mining interests in the region during the mid-19th century.

Current State

Today, visitors can explore the ruins of both Wills’ southern pastoral run and the miners’ northern settlement. The site features:

• Interpretive signs
• A car park
• A picnic table

Wills Homestead Complex

The Wills Homestead Complex, now in ruins, is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register3. Key details include:

• Built in 1851
• Occupied until the 1870s
• Located in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park4

Features of the Homestead

The homestead complex included:

• A main house with a Flagstone floor and fireplace
• A separate guest quarters without an internal doorway
• A vegetable garden protected by a stone wall
• An outdoor toilet structure

Visiting the Sites

These historical sites offer visitors a glimpse into the challenging life of early settlers in the Flinders Ranges. When planning a visit:

• Check current park access conditions, as some areas may have seasonal closures
• Consider downloading the “Discover the Flinders Ranges” mobile app for guided tours and information

Appealinna Hill and Wills Homestead are part of the rich tapestry of pastoral and mining history in the Flinders Ranges, offering visitors a chance to step back in time and experience the struggles and determination of early Australian settlers.