Last updated 23Sep23
Oldfields Homestead site
Oldfields Homestead site is located 150m east of the Cotter River ford near Cotter Hut in the Namadgi National Park.
Location: GR 55H FA 65942-53515 (MGA94), Rendezvous Creek 8626-1S 1:25000
Oldfields Homestead site, October 2010
Visits: 23 Sep 23, 4 Feb 12, 13 Nov 10, 1-4 Oct 10, 9-10 Jan 09, 7-8 Jun 08
Documentation:
• KHA Namadgi database (private source). Site 182. Single Poplar, clump of gooseberries and grass texture (green & short-cropped) mark the original site of the Cotter House (refer 377) [?]; Site 294. In 1885 survey drawings showed only three ‘humpies’. The hut was constructed in the late 19th century, and had work carried out on it in 1920s-30s. Between 1935-37 it was moved across the river to a new site on the western bank. Hearth stones and a pop ….
• Sites of Significance in the ACT. A 9 volume set, pre-cursor to the ACT Heritage Register. Published in 1988 (Vols 1-7), 1989 (Vol 8) and 1990 (Vol 9); pp38-43. Site UC16. The remnants of the Oldfield homestead stand on a well-defined terrace on the eastern side of the river 400 metres north of Cotter Hut. The site is marked by fence posts, remains of farm implements, china and glass fragments and the base of a stone fireplace, with a large poplar tree close by. Between the homestead and the river, several ring structures have been reported in the ground surface. The interpretation of these is in some doubt but they may result from horse tracks associated with horse-powered agricultural machinery (pers. comm. J. Flood to M. McRae-Williams, 1984). See extracts of the relevant pages in the photos above.
• Rugged Beyond Imagination Matthew Higgins P 28: Built in 1893 by Thomas (and Hannah) Oldfield.
Leave a Comment