Category: South Australia

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.

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.

One of the best scenic routes runs through Mount Pleasant linking Adelaide with the Barossa via the rich pastoral lands of Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant is the home of one of South Australia’s largest agricultural shows and renowned for its wine areas of Springton and Eden Valley. The Merindah Mohair Farm is a must.

Freeling is well known as the home of the Gungellan Hotel – one of the main settings for the Australian television series McLeod’s Daughters. McLeod’s Daughters airs in 100 countries and the pubs and streets of Freeling feature regularly on screen. The local countryside is one of the major stars of the show and is free for everyone to enjoy. Wander the heritage streets of this quaint rural town with its many historical buildings. Set on gently undulating land with a mild Mediterranean climate, Freeling is the centre of a major wheat-growing district. In was once the largest hay-producing centre in South Australia, with haystacks so large they could be seen for miles.

Listed on the National Estate Register and also declared a State Heritage Area, the former copper mining town of Burra is one of the most beautifully preserved towns in South Australia. It all began with the discovery of copper in 1845 by shepherds Thomas Pickett and William Streair. A number of townships soon developed – the South Australian Mining Association town of Kooringa, plus Redruth (Cornish) Aberdeen (Scottish) Llywchwr (Welsh) and Hampton (English). By 1851, the settlement now collectively known as Burra had a population of 5,000, second only to Adelaide with a population of 18,000. And after the closure of the Monster Mine in 1877, the town became a service centre for an extensive agricultural and pastoral area. Today you can explore one of Australia’s most beautifully preserved towns on Burra’s Heritage Passport Trail. Armed with a charming little guidebook and your own key, you’ll drive past 65 fascinating sites and learn why Burra was once South Australia’s copper central. The 11km route includes Redruth Gaol, the Monster Mine and “Creek Street”, where 1600 people lived in dugouts along the riverbank. Burra is also a great place to look for antiques, and don’t miss Thorogoods of Burra (a boutique cider brewery) and the Burra Art Gallery.

Primarily a service town for outlying farms, Cleve has preserved its rich farming heritage with impressive wall murals around town and in permanent outdoor displays of everything from a dray to the council’s first grader. Cleve has all major shops, varied accommodation and great country sports facilities including the 18 hole golf course running along a creek bed. The township was surveyed in 1878 and Cleve was proclaimed on 6 March 1879, named by Governor Jervois after his cousin’s county seat in Devon, England. The new town was only 27 kilometres from the shipping port of Arno Bay. Cleve is a unique inland Eyre Peninsula town in that it is not serviced by either rail or Ausbulk silo. Take in the National Trust listed Old Council Chambers housing a museum of early day heritage attractions. Stand atop the lookout adjacent to the town, offering fine panoramic views. An attractive scenic drive follows the line of the Cleve-Cowell Hills. Fine views are obtained of the plains and Spencer Gulf. It is not uncommon to spot emus, kangaroos or mallee fowls during this drive.

Located 96 kilometres south of Adelaide, in hilly country astride the road to Cape Jervis. The township was originally called Glenburn but was renamed Delamere, after a town in Cheshire, England. Delamere is located on Tourist Route 52 and the Fleurieu Way Tourist Drive and is an ideal rest stop on the way to Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island. Explore the nearby Deep Creek and Talisker conservation parks.