The replica dwelling of Shakespeare spouting, rum swilling eccentric , Otto Bottiger, in the grounds of the Magnetic Island History and Craft Centre at Picnic Bay, is undergoing a makeover to repair the ravages of time . Bottiger , a retired Burns Philp Shipping officer, lobbed on the island in 1890 and lived in a crude hut on poles under which at very high tides he could dangle his feet in the water . It was built from corrugated iron sheets , palm fronds and grass .
In a box shaped boat in which he kept books , he would drift about the bay reading, sipping either rum or mango wine , an umbrella protecting him from the sun .
Despite being called the Hermit of Nelly Bay , he became the island's first postmaster , mixed with residents , shared and sold his rum to people , recited poems and Shakespeare to groups . He regularly attended School Board functions in tattered clothing , barefooted , unshaven .The 3/4 replica of his airy abode, built by artist Tony Cuthbertson , is in the grounds of the old Magnetic Island School . It is being rethatched by David Ede , a volunteer member of the Magnetic Island History and Craft Centre and Magnetic Museum .
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Bottiger , right , at the entrance to his house, which seems to be roughly in the shape of The Globe theatre .
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