Allanooka Inn (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The former Hunting Kangaroo Arms has high historic significance for its connection to the early settlement of, and the transport routes through, the Irwin District. The place has further historic significance given its connection to Juan Perejuan and its use as a wayside inn dating from the 1860s.
Further the place and gardens have high aesthetic appeal. The place demonstrates the use of local materials and is a rare example of a wayside inn of its era.

Physical Description

1997
This small ironstone cottage has a tiled hipped roof with a corrugated iron skillion to the rear, a separate verandah to the front (west) and a small brick enclosed verandah to the north. The corners of the building to the west façade have informal quoins. There is a small chimney to the apex of the gable to the south. The front verandah has a concrete floor with a corrugated iron roof which is supported on metal posts. To the front façade, windows are six-pane double hung with two entry doors, the one to the south being plank. Windows to the south and east are small and of casement style. There is a large river gum (eucalyptus camaldulensis) to the south-east of the house.
2004
Not visited

History

In 1859 Juan Perejuan took up a tillage lease near the Allanooka swamp and constructed the stone house with a shingle roof soon after. Perejuan had previously been a lay monk at the New Norcia monastery. In the 1860s he added an extra room to his stone and pug house and although he obtained a wayside inn licence in the 1870s his trade had been flourishing in the previous decade. The Inn was situated just north of the junction of the Perth-Geraldton road and the Port Irwin (Port Denison) road with drovers from the north passing the property. Perejuan called his inn "The Halfway House" but the local folk named it the "Hunting Kangaroo Arms" as kangaroo was frequently on the menu, served in different ways pertaining to one’s social standing. Juan Perejuan established a large fruit orchard on the nearby swamp where he had a small orchard.
(Source: Bain, M.A., "Ancient Landmarks", C. Ellery, IDHS Records.)

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.