William Mayo initially worked as a ganger for the railways at Beltana. Later, he and his wife, Mary, moved southwards to Hookina. During the time when the South Australian government was encouraging closer settlement in the north, Will Mayo seized the opportunity to lease a small property about 20 km north of Hawker. It was in 1899 that the Mayo family relocated to this humble cottage on the banks of the Wonoka Creek.
This hut is maintained by Friends of the Heysen Trail volunteers and reserved for Heysen Trail walkers and Mawson Trail cyclists. It is located on private property and not accessible to vehicles or caravans.
The hut was restored from a ruin in 1988 as a Bicentennial Project. The cottage was restored by seven unemployed and homeless persons from the Wright Court Day Centre in Adelaide. The project was co-ordinated by the Adelaide Central Mission and funded by the Department of Recreation and Sport.
Facilities include water, bunks, fireplace, table, seating, toilet. There are no bookings or fees. Please respect other walkers that happen to be there.
Paul Nicholas, Director of Wright Court, gave an interesting account of the enthusiasm displayed by the men selected to carry out the work of restoring the ruin to its former glory. Those involved included Robert, Leon, Ron, Keith, Rod, Greg, Mick, Ian, Andy, Maurice and Chris.
