It is based near the property "Battunga" meaning "rolling hills" in Aboriginal vocabulary.

After Robert died in 1896, the property remained in the Davenport family until 1914 when it was purchased by Professor William Lowrie, agriculturalist and Principal of Roseworthy Agricultural College, South Australia.

[3] Professor Lowrie was able to carry out much important research at Battunga, including work on the use of super-phosphate on South Australian farms.

[5] Although small, Flaxley is a historically important link in the regions history.

[5][6] Flaxley is part of the Battunga Country region in the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges.