The ruins are the remains of an 11 room hotel and store on the overland stock route.
In 1859 William Parnell and William Napper built the Lake Bonney Hotel on the northern shores of the lake. Parnell and Napper worked as timber-cutters along the river having emigrated from Guernsey in 1855 with their wives, Julie and Ann.
Napper purchased the land and hotel from Parnell in 1863, but moved to the Overland Corner Hotel in 1876. Ann had died in chidbirth (aged 31) in 1869. He returned in the late 1890's (although the hotel was no longer licenced) to operate Napper's Accommodation House until his death in 1907.
Enhance your trails experience, for more information about South Australian trails including bike, walking, scuba and horse trails go the the SA Trails website: www.southaustraliantrails.com
