page_title: Pipers Creek Lime Kilns
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Pipers Creek Lime Kilns / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: Pipers Creek Lime Kilns: Kiln J
context_page_description: The Pipers Creek Lime Kilns are heritage-listed former lime kilns at Bonnie Corner Road, Dondingalong in the Kumbatine National Park, New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1832 to 1840, probably by convicts. It is also known as Bonnie Corner Lime Kilns and Smith's Creek Lime Station. The property is owned by the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 March 2011.
context_section_description: The Pipers Creek lime kilns are located within Kumbatine National Park (formerly Maria River State Forest) approximately 12 km south of Kempsey and west of the Pacific Highway. They are only accessible via fire trails and then on foot. The sites are generally isolated with bushes, grasses, small trees and other undergrowth encroaching on them. Although the kilns themselves are clearly visible due to recent work and maintenance, associated worksites and building footings are now generally overgrown and almost invisible to the casual observer.
  The lime kilns are built into the side of hills next to the limestone resource and near associated structures. They are constructed of rough rubble stone with lime-mortar as bonding. The kilns were originally covered with render which is now exfoliating.
  Lime Kiln "I"
  This kiln is located north of Bonnie Corner Road. It is accessed via an unformed track through the gently sloping landscape. The areas immediately beside the track are relatively clear of trees, giving way to moderately treed areas beyond. These areas between the track and the trees beyond contain a variety of now overgrown features which are believed to be associated with the lime kilns, including:
  the remains of a brick structure thought to be the guardhouse (including brick footings);
  rough stones set in lime mortar on a raised impression;
  treeless grassy area;
  shallow depressions thought to be exploratory digs for limestone;
  large water-filled circular depressions;
  tumbled remains of rough stone walls thought to be the cookhouse;
  pile of rubble, gravel, small stones 30m from kiln I;
  These features are not easily recognisable and many could easily by mistaken for natural features. The remains of buildings are limited and overgrown and could not be assessed in the future without removal of overgrowth.
  The kiln itself is located within a clearing. On entering the clearing a large interpretive sign provides basic information about the kiln. Several mounds appear to consist of materials associated with the lime burning. Small stones are scattered throughout the site while grasses and saplings have begun to encroach, particularly at the edges of the clearing. The kiln is located beyond the sign and is a large rectangular structure built into the hill of approximately 8m long x 3.6m wide x 2.4m high. This construction style allowed a flue to be formed. It is constructed of a rough rubble stone kiln with a lime based mortar used for bedding. There is evidence of a render which is now exfoliating. Wing walls at either end of the kiln act as retaining walls in the hillside to create a level construction and working surface in front of the firing chamber. What appear to be large spoil and debris mounds are piled against the walls. The fire holes in the front of the kiln consist of 3 rectangular openings approximately 5.5 metres long by 1.7 metres wide with a recently replaced ironbark lintel over the top to support the wall above. The old lintel is located on the hill behind the kiln. The burning chamber is unusually narrow (approx 5.5m long and 1.7m wide) with an open top. Stones located in the fire chamber are likely to be associated with the lime burning activity or to have dislodged from the structure. The kiln's construction into the hillside allow lime and fuel to be carried up the hill and dropped through the open top into the chamber. Evidence of mortar inside chamber suggests that it was probably originally lined with mortar. Repointing of some surfaces within the chamber with a soft lime mortar has taken place during recent conservation works.
  The presence of a lot of stone on the hill to the rear of the kiln is likely to be limestone brought up the hill to be used in the kiln. Weeds have grown in the crevices and over the stones of the kiln but are subject to periodic maintenance.
  A consolidated lime block approximately 1 metre high is located to one side of the kiln, at a distance of approximately 20 metres from the kiln. Although covered with leaf litter and moss and appearing to have partially deteriorated, it is
caption: Kiln "J"
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