Collingrove Homestead, Angaston, South Australia

Collingrove Homestead at Angaston was bequeathed to the National Trust by Ronald Angas in 1976. The Homestead offers the public many opportunities to experience part of South Australia’s rich English heritage of national importance. Its significance however, lies more in the distinction of the family who built it and lived there for more than a hundred years than its architectural merit. The single storey sprawling homestead is an authentic mansion located in the beautiful Barossa Valley wine growing region and provides a fine example of how our colonists created a new Australian architecture.

Built in 1856 by South Australian pioneer John Angas as a little piece of England for his wife Suzanne. John Angas was one of South Australia’s most influential pioneers and built Collingrove as the Angas family home and headquarters for their considerable pastoral interests. The Angas family made significant contributions to the growth and development of South Australia from its earliest days through political involvement, pastoral endeavours and philanthropic gesture.

The homestead is large and sprawling and built of locally quarried Tapley Hill Bluestone. This is laid in coursed random pattern with locally quarried Adelaide white soapstone dressings to the window and doors and massive capstan chimneys. Finely detailed gable-ends and bow-windows with timber louvered shutters offer delicate relief against the South Australian freestone. The refined architectural composition makes it an excellent example of our colonial pioneering homesteads. The magnificent homestead complex is set amongst ancient and twisted gums of the Barossa Valley. Beyond the gardens are rustic paddocks complete with century old trees and grounds with a peaceful and serene setting and home to many native birds and wildlife. Collingrove is set in a beautiful and peaceful setting with rich and interesting history in the famous Barossa Valley wine growing region of South Australia, home to some of the world’s best wines.