A Sad Farewell to an ‘Australia’ Landmark

The homestead called home by Nicole Kidman’s character, Lady Sarah Ashley, has been dismantled.

Gus Tampalini, the general manager of an indigenous organisation in WA’s Kimberley, on whose land Faraway Downs stood, said it had deteriorated over time, after being exposed to the elements.

“We told Tourism WA we didn’t want it and they said they didn’t want it,” Mr Tampalini said.

“We told them that it was on our site and they had to get rid of it. They asked us to do it, so we did, between three and six months ago.

“When it was dismantled, nothing was tagged – it was a shemozzle.”

Tourism WA decided more than a year ago not to pursue a plan to retain Faraway Downs as a tourist attraction, despite a report which predicted it could attract as many as 90,000 visitors annually if restored with an Australia movie theme.

SOURCE: Adelaide, Sunday Mail

January 31st, 2011