Martindale Hall to remain open to the public

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Landscapes and Sustainability Manager, Craig Nixon said the Hall would be open seven days a week between 11 and 4 for public visits, as of December 8.

Mr Nixon said the arrangement would maintain public access at the heritage-listed mansion, once the current lessees vacate the property at the end of November.

"Martindale Hall will close for just one week from December 1 to 7 to undertake a stocktake of the collection and assess any significant maintenance issues," Mr Nixon said.

"It will open again on Monday December 8 as a museum. The grounds will also continue to be available to visitors during opening hours.

"Martindale Hall is a beautiful old building with tremendous heritage value and we are committed to ensuring continued public access and we are pleased to have been able to finalise caretaker arrangements to make this happen."

Mr Nixon said with caretaker arrangements in place, the Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources, who are responsible for the management of the site, would go back to the community to explore future long-term options.

"All sustainable options that will best protect Martindale Hall's heritage values will be considered and consultation will continue with representatives from the local community and tourism industry in making a decision about its future."

Built in 1879, the Georgian-style mansion sits on the 19ha Martindale Hall Conservation Park near Mintaro in the Clare Valley and was once part of an extensive sheep run. The property was gifted to the University of Adelaide by the Mortlock Family in 1965. Martindale Hall and grounds were later handed to the South Australian Government by the university in 1986.

A recent comprehensive expression of interest process for the future operation of Martindale Hall failed to identify any operators who would make full use of all facilities at the site and reduce the overall cost of maintaining the property to taxpayers.