Scottish settler John Cameron built this timber blockhouse in 1868 as a refuge for his family in the event of an attack by the Maori chief, Titokowaru, who was threatening Wanganui at the time.

However, the attack did not happen and the blockhouse was not needed as a refuge, being used as a farm shed for more than 120 years.

The blockhouse was restored in 1990 by the Wanganui Regional Committee of New Zealand Historic Places Trust.   It is a Category I registered Historic Place.

The blockhouse is open every day, free of charge.

There is a small car park by the farm drive and you can walk down to enter the blockhouse by the door on the north side.

The Trust manages this site with regular maintenance to the building and is grateful to community support especially the Whanganui Motorhome Association who participated in our 2019 workingbee.