SA’s historic Bluey Blundstone’s Accommodation up for sale

A rare property that has become an icon in the Southern Flinders Ranges is offering prospective buyers the chance to own a 155-year-old blacksmith shop and multiple residences.

Bluey Blundstone’s Accommodation, a Melrose tourist destination at 22 Stuart Road, is on the market with a $380,000 to $400,000 price guide.

Established in 1865, the blacksmith shop was built by William ‘Bluey’ Blundstone and provided for the mounted police force, which was across the road, and the wider community.

The premises closed in 1914 and was used as a local carpenter’s shop for 30 years before being restored.

It is in the town of Melrose at 22 Stuart Street.

The property includes a historic blacksmith shop, quaint cottage and barn.

Today the property is a bed and breakfast that includes the functional blacksmith shop with loft bedroom, a quaint one-bedroom stone cottage and a two-storey self-contained barn.

Owners Lisa and Darren Vogelsang bought the property about five years ago.

“Then it had run as a cafe so we were just frequent visitors because it’s a great place to go with the kids,” Ms Vogelsang said.

“It had been a cafe since it was renovated between 1980 and 1990.”

It has been restored to its former glory over the past few years.

It is on the market with a $380,000 to $400,000 price guide.

The Vogelsangs have renovated it again over the years, with no stone left unturned.

“What haven’t we done,” Ms Vogelsang said when asked what parts they had restored.

From repainting and new flooring to a whole new bathroom, they have breathed new life into the property while remaining true to its rich heritage.

“It’s a hard decision to sell but it’s just that time in our lives,” Ms Vogelsang said.

The property is run as a bed and breakfast but could be used as a main residence.

Wardle Co Real Estate agent Lee Jackson, who is selling the property with agency general manager Martin Stringer, said it had attracted a lot of interest even before the listing went online when there was just a ‘for sale’ sign at the front.

‘I had four phone calls last Saturday afternoon from people driving past,” he said.

“We’ve had three inspections (by Tuesday) and four to five inquiries to follow up.”

Mr Jackson said the property could continue to be used as a bed and breakfast or the new owner could live in part of it and run the rest as tourist accommodation.

This article from The Advertiser originally appeared as “Historic Bluey Blundstone’s Accommodation in SA’s Flinders Ranges on the market”.