Coulthard House

William Coulthard began to build Coulthard House in 1854 from "Iron Stone" mined in the "Moppa" area north of Nuriootpa. Sadly at the age of 38 William died of thirst at Pernatty Lagoon in the mid north of SA whilst looking for new grazing land in 1855. His entire fortune, including the unfinished house, was left to his 15 year-old eldest son John. He later married and completed the home and it was his bachelor son William and spinster sisters Adelaide and Harriet who then inherited the large farm and grazing empire upon his death from throat cancer. William Coulthard the grandson of the early settler donated a significant amount of land and money to provide for the Centennial Park, Coulthard Memorial Church, Nuriootpa War Memorial Swimming Pool and the Kindergarten. William 3rd became known as "Old Bill" the town's Philanthropist after the death of his 2 sisters was the last remaining Coulthard to reside in the house and devoted himself to developing the town of Nuriootpa into a flourishing community. After his death in 1953 The Nuriootpa War Memorial Community Centre Inc purchased the house from his nephew Roy for the sum of 7000 pounds.

It then became a boarding house for young ladies and the Community Centre office occupied one of the 2 front rooms. In 1970 it was a bottle museum run by Robert Struever.1972 - 75 the Barossa Valley Potters Club leased the old dairy and smokehouse. Until 1983 the WMCC ran a folk museum. From 1983 until the early 1990's the Barossa Valley Tourist Commission, Barossa Valley Vintage Festival Association, Barossa Tourist Association and the Barossa Winemakers all occupied their offices in the house. From 1995 until 2010 Apex Clubs of Australia National Office occupied the house on a peppercorn lease. Now in the ownership of the Nuriootpa Futures Association it has stood empty apart from a few community events during the Barossa Vintage Festival and SALA. In 2021 a commercial lease was obtained and full refurbishment completed to enable it to provide modern office facilities which enables the house to remain in community ownership for many years to come. The property is managed by volunteers of the Nuriootpa Futures Association. On this lawned garden remain a few of the Coulthards original orchard trees. The family grew pears, almonds and apples which they sold to the Nuriootpa canneries. Until 1983 the house operated as a folk museum and the Kaelser house on wheels was housed adjacent to the dairy. Another town character "Pop" Kaesler built his house on wheels to transport his family on holidays. It is now housed on Penrice Road at the entrance of the Barossa Valley Tourist Park.

The barn was built in 1974 as a work for the dole program and largely used as a carpark until recent years.

In 2018 a "Fund My Neighbourhood" grant for $140,000 was awarded to the NFA and the buildings were upgraded and a new toilet block constructed.

The Barn now boasts an open fireplace and basic kitchen facilities and can be now hired as a multi purpose venue.

The dairy has been renovated and until recently was occupied by Raw Impact as office and meeting space. Behind the dairy facing the grounds the shelter has been enclosed as a servery for events.