Category: South Australia

Located 160 kilometres from Adelaide, Kadina is the largest town on the Yorke Peninsula. It houses Australia’s National Dryland Farming Centre and a Banking and Currency Museum. Kadina is a key site for the bustling Kernewek Lowender (Cornish Festival) held every odd-numbered year. Along with the nearby towns of Moonta and Wallaroo, Kadina forms what is known as Australia’s Little Cornwall. Kadina began as a township servicing the copper mines of the Wallaroo Mine. Copper was discovered in 1859. Now it is the largest commercial centre on Yorke Peninsula with government departments, four banks, shopping centres, three hotels and a caravan park.

Located only 14 kilometres or 20 minutes drive west of Adelaide, Port Adelaide is a sea port city and the historic maritime heart of South Australia. It is home to some of the finest historic buildings in the State.

Owen is a small town in the centre of a grain growing area, established in the late 1870s and named after John Owen who was a local landowner. The town layout is similar to that of Colonel Light’s Adelaide, with parklands around the urban centre square. In 1880, the Western System railway line between Hamley Bridge and Balaklava was opened, and it was a great asset to the early settlers. Despite being a small rural settlement with silos reinforcing the skyline, the town in recent times has become popular with commuters due to its relaxed and casual rural living, while still being in close proximity to Adelaide. The Wooroora Hotel, now known as the Owen Arms, was established in 1905 by WR Standley and remained in that family until 1972.

A small township located on the main road from Port Elliot to Goolwa, approximately four kilometres from Port Elliot. Middleton is a popular spot for surfers and fishermen with its spectacular beach. Middleton is also known for its bakery, bed and breakfasts, beaches, swimming and holiday opportunities. The Southern Right Whale can often be seen off the low cliffs during June to September, with the most common location being off Middleton Point. For about 90 per cent of the time, the whales are spotted at Basham’s Beach between Middleton and Port Elliot. The beaches are also great for kite flying. Encounter pathway is a shared bike path running along the foreshore, connecting through to Victor Harbor, and the stretch between Middleton and Port Elliot is its most spectacular. The name is believed to have been derived from ‘Middle Town’ – the town half way between Goolwa and Port Elliot on the railway line, which opened in May 1854. When the single track railway was built it was necessary to provide loop lines for the carriages to pass. It was from one such loop and siding that the township developed. When the railway was extended to Strathalbyn in 1869 the residents of Middleton were able to persuade the authorities to make their town the junction for the new line. During the early days of the settlement the beach extended more than 400 metres from the ocean to the sand hills. Suddenly, the ocean encroached on the beach and came up to the sand hills, believed to have been caused by an offshore movement on the ocean floor.

Tarcoola is at an important railway junction. From a point just west of the township the Ghan line heads north and the Indian Pacific line heads west. At the turn of the century Tarcoola was an important gold mining town and the field is still occasionally worked today.

Loxton is a charming, vibrant town; the thriving centre of one of the most productive agricultural and horticultural regions in the state. Known as the ‘Garden Town of the Riverland’ Loxton’s beautifully maintained gardens explode in a riot of colour all year-round and are testament to the proud community spirit that exists in this country town. Visit the award-winning Loxton Historical Village with more than 38 fully furnished buildings and sites exhibiting farm equipment, machinery and household items used by early settlers. Or stop in at The Pines Loxton Historical Home and Garden, displaying antique furniture, silverware, paintings and more. You can discover Loxton on a historical town walk or nature walk that leads through a natural riverine environment and loops back along the river frontage.

A popular holiday town with good beaches, jetty and fishing, Moonta is located on the shores of Spencer Gulf 168 kilometres from Adelaide. Copper was discovered here in 1861 and led to the establishment of the Moonta Mining Company. An interesting way to take in the history of this mining region is on the tiny tourist train that runs on weekends. The train station is opposite the Moonta Mines National Trust Museum, in the former Moonta Mines School. There is a range of accommodation available, some of which is within walking distance of sandy beaches, jetties and cafes.