Muggga-Mugga is an 1830’s rural workers’ cottage and as such one of Canberra oldest historic sites – in fact, predating Canberra significantly. A lovely cottage set in beautiful countryside. Well worth a visit.
Today it is set on seventeen hectares of grazing land with it main building being a simple cottage built for the head shepherd of Duntroon (Robert Campbell’s Estate) in the 1830s when it was over 2,000 hectares. The small stone cottage (which replaced an earlier timber shepherds hut) has been conserved and furnished with household items that belonged to the Curley family who moved to Mugga-Mugga from Duntroon in 1913 just as Canberra became the newly chosen name for the capital city – yet to be built. It was also at this time that the Campbell estate was compulsorily acquired by the government for the new city and Duntroon – Campbell’s residence – was acquired for use as a military academy. Not an altogether happy year for the Campbells.
The original four roomed stone cottage (at he front of the property is typical of many built in Australia in the early years of European settlement though its hardwood shingles roof was covered by corrugated iron in the early 20th century. The stone slab building to the rear which houses the kitchen and dining room is a 1860s addition. This separation of colonial kitchens from the main house was not uncommon at the time and was a precaution against fire. Take a look at the painted hessian ceilings in the main building. Looking around, it is fairly easy to imagine what life as a shepherd on a rural property on the Limestone Plain’s (pre-Canberra name) great pastoral estates at the turn of the 20th century and earlier was like.
Be aware that you can only visit the property on a guided tour (included in the ticket price). The guide I had was very knowledgeable and able to answer all my questions. He was a little taken aback at my knowledge of the Campbell estate and some of the other properties in the estate. I didn’t tell him that it had all been gleaned in the past couple of weeks through my research and writing reviews for the former VirtualTourist site.
Small numbers of people visit the cottage in its restricted opening hours so you’ll most likely have the guide to yourself and be able to take as long as you like. About 40mins is sufficient – less if you have less questions than I did!
Enjoy the view across Canberra from here – I enjoyed it so much I forgot to take a photograph of it for you. Photography inside the cottage is prohibited.
A guide book with a detailed history of the property is available for download at the website below. It and the website includes many excellent pictures of the interior.
Tickets are purchased the adjacent dark green education centre where you will find toilets and will meet your guide.
When in the area visit Calthorpes’ House in the very exclusive Mugga Lane for an altogether different experience of a 1920s gentleman’s residence. Stop off half –way between the two properties for a few minutes to see something completely different – the Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral at Narrabundah.
Mugga-Mugga Cottage is open every Saturday and Sunday, 1pm—4pm with (mandatory) guided tours at 1pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm.
Admission cost
$7 Adult
$5 Concession
$15 Family
Three site Admission: Visit the three Historic House Museums, Lanyon Homestead, Calthorpes’ House and Mugga-Mugga Cottage. Ticket valid one year.
$15 Adult
$10 Concession
$30 Family
Address: 8 Narrabundah Lane, off Mugga Lane, Symonston
Website: http://www.historicplaces.com.au/mugga-mugga-cottage
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