By Gabrielle Hall
Nestled amongst green rolling hills and majestic gums in the Clare Valley is the Duncan family’s Hughes Park property.
Its beauty is not something lost on sixth generation custodians, farmers Andrew and Alice Duncan.
Keen to share the property’s history and beauty, the couple opened up the property to visitors at their Hughes Park bed and breakfast in 2009.
And, in their latest venture, have thrown open the gates to the homestead as a wedding ceremony and photography venue.
Alice and Andrew Duncan and their daughters have opened the gates to their beautiful Hughes Park property (Photo: Kate Wehr Photography.)
Located about 100 kilometres north of Adelaide, tucked in just two kilometres behind Watervale, the Hughes Park homestead lies majestic.
Steeped in history, the homestead was home to Walter Watson Hughes, a co-founder of Adelaide University who also discovered and owned the Wallaroo/Moonta Mines.
Nearby, Hughes Park cottage, now a busy B&B, was built by Hughes in 1845, and today maintains many of its charms with slate floors and open fireplace.
Once a bustling village in its own sense, with blacksmiths cottage, maid’s quarters and workmen’s cottages, the history of Hughes Park is still readily evident.
Andrew and Alice opened the property to visitors at their Hughes Park bed and breakfast in 2009
In another chapter to its history, Andrew’s uncle, well-known rose guru Walter Duncan of the Heritage Garden, also lived at the property before moving to his current home and garden near Sevenhill.
However, the Hughes Park homestead – built in two parts, one in 1860 by Hughes and the front section in 1890 by relatives, the Duncans – was unlived in for 10 years when Walter moved out.
Andrew and Alice then renovated and moved in with their children, the next generation of Duncans.
In the latest venture, they’ve also thrown open the gates to the homestead as a wedding ceremony and photography venue
Very much a working property, Hughes Park’s core business remains in farming with Andrew running a successful merino, prime lambs and pasture operation.
But with a background in event management, Alice was keen to broaden the property’s potential and saw an opening as a wedding location.
“Andy and I got married here and thought it was the perfect venue,” she says.
“We just wanted to open it up and share that experience and share the love we have of this property.”
Andrew and Alice Duncan loved their wedding at the family’s Hughes Park property
Plans to renovate another cottage alongside the Hughes Park B&B extends the tourism potential.
“When we finish the other cottage we’ll be able to sleep eight people here and it opens it up more potentially for whole wedding parties,” she says.
“But it’s not just for weddings, the B&B attracts visitors just keen to get away from the hustle and bustle.
“This time of the year – from March to November is our busiest – in fact I think we’re having our busiest year so far.
“People just love coming up in the winter, having an open fire and appreciating the green countryside, going for walks or just visiting many of the nearby wineries.”
Main headline image taken by Fiona Vail Photography at a Hughes Park wedding
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