Category: South Australia

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South Australia

Mount Barker

One of the fastest growing regional centres in Australia, Mount Barker is the retail hub of the Adelaide Hills. Pubs, restaurants, petrol stations, supermarkets and speciality shops can all be found here, as well as sporting facilities, a hospital and several banks. Mount Barker is also a town rich in history. The Mount Barker Special Survey was released in 1839, and this enabled land to be sold to early settlers (many of whom were British) and the town grew rapidly following the construction of several flourmills. The Mount Barker Council Heritage Walk offers a good insight into the history of the town, taking in the heritage buildings of Murray Street and Auchendarroch, built in 1878 by prominent South Australian Robert Barr Smith as the family’s summer residence. Restored to its former glory, it is now part of the Wallis entertainment complex. Looming over the town is Mount Barker Summit, which has excellent views of the surrounding area. The Mount Barker Summit Scenic Drive takes in the Summit Conservation Park as well as the Laratinga Wetlands, where there is a good linear walk. Families will enjoy a visit to Keith Stephenson Park, which has picnic facilities and South Australia’s largest skate park. Mount Barker is also the home of Steamranger – a vintage steam-powered train that travels to Strathalbyn, Goolwa and Victor Harbor – and a tree-lined 18-hole golf course. And more recently, the town has become known as the home of leading natural skincare company Jurlique. Tours of their herb field, where much of their produce is grown, are available by appointment.

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South Australia

Eden Valley

Known as the Garden of Gums and Grapes, Eden Valley is one of the Barossa’s most picturesque townships. Stands of magnificent red gums have contributed to its reputation, along with fine crisp Eden Valley Riesling, one of Australia’s most sought after regional wines. It also has a growing reputation for its Shiraz, Merlot and Viognier. Popular stops in the town are the Eden Valley Hotel, which offers tastings of local wines in addition to is normal pub fare, and the beautiful stone St Petri Lutheran Church. On a curve of the road at the high end of town, the church and its spore are a well-known Barossa landmark. The historic institute building is the centre of this active community and holds two major annual events. The town’s market each June raises funds for local facilities and features market bargains and premium wines. And Eden Valley’s Australia Day Breakfast on 26 January is one of the most popular in the region.

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South Australia

Blyth

The area located on the western side of the Clare Hills, alternates from hilly in the east, to flat in the west. Graziers settled the area in the middle 1800s. The railway helped to develop the town of Blyth and it was once quite a large centre. Now Blyth is a quaint country town. Its hills offer stunning views of the western plains, with a scenic patchwork of colours created by different crops, especially in spring and autumn. Join the short interpretative botanical walking trail. First proclaimed in 1860, the Hundred of Blyth was named in honour of Sir Arthur Blyth who arrived in South Australia as a teenager with his parents in 1839 and went on to become a successful business man and parliamentarian. The town of Blyth was created in 1875. In Blyth it is the original German St Petrie Kirche Lutheran Church that will delight the visitor. Whilst the 1886 building with its tall steeple is a timely reminder of the many nationalities that first settled in this area, today the building is the Medika Gallery.

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South Australia

Arno Bay

During the summer season holidaymakers flock to Arno Bay to enjoy the mild climate, the boating and angling and the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. Arno Bay began as a shipping port servicing the local farming districts, where superphosphate was brought in and cereal crops were sent out. The jetty, an old beacon and the original super shed still stand as a reminder of this era. The scenic shoreline stretching away from Arno Bay is formed by a series of lovely beaches surrounded by unique cliff formations. One of these unique areas, known as Redbanks, was once designated a geological monument by the Geological Society of Australia. A visit to nearby Hincks Conservation Park and pristine Wharminda Soaks is a must for bushwalkers to discover interesting rock formations, abundant wildflowers and flora. Nilka’s Simply Rustic Gallery, a unique 1909 building, once the farm’s shearer’s quarters, is now home to works of art, pottery and craft for sale. Call them on 08 8628 9050 for opening times.

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South Australia

Currency Creek

A well-established wine region with several popular wineries and cellar doors, Currency Creek was once muted as a site for the South Australian capital. The town is also well known for its creek, sidewalks, Aboriginal scar trees, railway viaduct and jet sprint racing. Its cemetery is the final resting place of many of the captains from the River Murray steam powered paddleboats. Take time to walk through the nearby Black Swamp, a heritage-listed wetland with rare bird species. It was named after Currency Lass, the first vessel to negotiate the Murray Mouth, the area lies six kilometres north of Goolwa on the road to Strathalbyn.

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South Australia

Second Valley

Steep coastal cliffs, old boat sheds and fascinating geological formations help make Second Valley unforgettable. The area’s protected waters provide scuba divers with memorable experiences as they encounter fur seals and leafy seadragons. Located 91 kilometres south of Adelaide, Second Valley is divided into two parts – the old mill on the main road and, down the valley to the sea, a tiny coastal port reminiscent of a Cornish fishing village.

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South Australia

Andamooka

This unique town of miner’s homes and semi-dugouts nestles on a honeycomb of underground diggings in a field famous for the quality of its gemstones. Andamooka is 600 kilometres north of Adelaide and visitors today will discover that underneath its rugged exterior, like the rough opal itself, there is a wealth of warmth and colour. There are a variety of things to do and see here. Discover Andamooka’s unique ‘matrix opal’ or the rare beauty of the famous local crystal opal. Buy directly from the miners at one of the opal showrooms in town or from The Bottle House (built in 1972), eliminating the middleman and saving dollars. You can buy painted opals from Hilda, and art from resident artist Alex Mendelsohn. Visit Don’s to see a fascinating collection of rocks and fossils or ask for a tour of the early miners and buyers cottages in the centre of town (listed on South Australia’s Heitage Register). Don Clark is a long term resident, as is Inge Duke from the post office who also offers cottage tours. Try ‘noodling’ (fossicking) for your own piece of elusive opal, but please check you are not on somebody’s ‘pegged’ claim and always be alert as there are many old mine shafts around. Visit the vast, usually dry salt lake of Lake Torrens, the satellite opal fields of White Dam or the remote Stuart Creek opal diggings for a taste of the real outback. Take a two hour self drive tour of the opal fields with Erica of the Rainbow Opal Showroom and see how and where the opal miners live and work. Relax at the Tuckerbox or Opal Hotel for meals or a refreshing drink, or explore this tiny opal mining town and unusual lunar like landscape by foot. Andamooka is the gateway for four wheel drive vehicles connecting with the Oodnadatta or Birdsville Tracks, or taking the Farina Adventure Trail and linking up to the Flinders Ranges. Andamooka opal adorned the hemline of the year 2001 “Opal Dress” worn by Olympian Tatiana Grigorieva; a breathtaking beauty valued at AUD500,000 and housed at the South Australian Museum. The opal fields were discovered in 1930 by two drovers from Andamooka Station who saw flashes of brilliant colour on a hillside after a rare thunderstorm. Opal is still mined in close proximity to the town and extends into 24 fields, giving the area a fascinating moon-like appearance. Andamooka is the only town in Australia where none of the streets are named and the main thoroughfare is built in a creek bed.

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South Australia

Parrakie

A small town serving the surrounding rural area within the Murraylands. Whether it’s houseboating, exploring historic towns, bushwalking or just relaxing, the Murraylands has it all.

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South Australia

Kingston South East

Referred to as the ‘Gateway to the South East’, Kingston is a coastal town nestled on the picturesque waters of Lacapede Bay and located at the southern end of the Coorong. Lacapede Bay with its relative calmness, offers families the safety of its waters and long stretches of sandy shores, an invitation to beach goers to enjoy a wide range of water sports and fishing opportunities. Visit the historic Cape Jaffa Lighthous. Once situated on the Margaret Brock Reef of the shores of Cape Jaffa, it was dismantled and re-erected on the Kingston foreshore and is now open for inspection and tours. For those interested in history, the township of Kingston was officially established in 1858. Many historic buildings still stand as a reminder of the past. Kingston is home to an Analematic Sundial, the second in Australia and one of only eight in the world. The area south of Kingston is flourishing with the establishment of numerous wineries, so for lovers of fine wines a visit to this new and exciting area will offer a selection of cellar doors. Situated between Adelaide and Melbourne, Kingston provides an opportunity for a relaxing holiday or an overnight break. The fishing port of Cape Jaffa is only 25 kilometres away. Cape Jaffa is home to the lobster fishing fleet, who unload their catch at the jetty each afternoon from October to April. Cape Jaffa is also a popular destination for diving and fishing, and those looking for a relaxing holiday.

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