Australia Tourist AttractionsAyers House, Adelaide
Ayers House is one of the finest examples in all of Australia of Colonial Regency architecture. Designed by George Strickland Kingston, Ayers House remains the best preserved of any of the houses in Australia designed by the famed architect. Henry Ayers bought the property in 1871 for 400 pounds and began to build the house in gradual stages, turning it from a nine room brick building into a two-storey mansion. It is made from local bluestone and was the first property in Adelaide to receive gas lighting. Henry Ayers made his fourteen in the Burra Copper Mines and Ayers House reflects the prosperity he had at that time with hand-painted cellings, memorabilia from the Ayers family and stencilled woodwork.
Henry Ayers had an impressive political career, during which he was Premier seven times, President of the Legislative Council for twelve years and Cabinet Minister eleven times. After Sir Henry's death in 1897 the house was used for many things, including a nurses residence and a club for Returned Soldiers. It was restored by and is currently the property of the National Trust of South Australia. It is now and has been thirty years a museum, corporate function centre and restaurant. Tourists to Adelaide can enjoy the artworks, silverware and furniture on display and learn about the history of Adelaide.
Ayers House Location and Contact Information
Ayers House Functions
288 North Terrace
Adelaide
South Australia 5000
Telephone: (08) 8224 0666
Facsimile: (08) 8232 2911