For
information about the 2008 Adelaide Plains Cup Festival please click
here
Set upon the northern
reaches of the Gulf St. Vincent, the waters off Port Wakefield are
perfect for fishing.
For sheer variety, few places anywhere in Australia play host
to the range of activities to be found across the broad reaches
of the Adelaide Plains. Serving as the perfect backdrop to a strong
agricultural economy, the Adelaide Plains’ landscape is dotted
with historic towns and settlements offering tourists a fascinating
insight in to our bygone heritage. Whether it’s browsing through
a local antique shop or wine tasting at one of the region’s
cellar doors, there’s always plenty to do in the Adelaide
Plains.
The Balaklava Cup is established as one of the highlights in South
Australia’s thoroughbred racing calendar, attended by over
10,000 people annually. At nearby Mallala, motor racing enthusiasts
regularly pay homage to the legends of their sport when the V8 supercars
come to town. The region’s location also places it centrally
amongst some of South Australia iconic tourist attractions like
the Clare and Barossa Valleys.
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locations
the samphire coast
click map to zoom
The Samphire Coast north of Adelaide to Ardrossan contains sites
regarded as the State’s third and fourth ranked areas for
shorebirds and has been selected as one of ten priority sites as
part of the national WWF Australia Shorebird Conservation Projects.
The region regularly supports in excess of 60,000 shorebirds and
provides a diversity of habitat for birds to roost and feed including
beaches, tidal saltmarshes, sandflats and mudflats, salt evaporation
pans and seasonal freshwater lakes.
The Samphire Coast is a haven for eco and adventure based tourism
but has lacked development and recognition, although this has changed
considerably over the past two years with several developments occurring
which have a direct focus on tourism. The Samphire Coast is now
the lynch pin for both the District Council of Mallala and Wakefield
Regional Council in their efforts to progress tourism development.
Fishing, crabbing, bird watching, beach and bush walking have
long between major pastimes for this region and worth the 5-minute
drive off the Highway.
Sites within the Adelaide Plains area of the Samphire Coast.
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port gawler
The Port Gawler Historical Wharf site was once a booming wharf for
local grain to be shipped to Port Adelaide. Port Gawler is the commencement
point of the Samphire Coast and has a small conservation park, the
Gawler River Delta and some great spots along the beach for viewing
the bird life.
Port Gawler has the States only Off Road Hire Park that has been
developed for motor bikes/ 4wd vehicles and go-karts, which is open
7 days a week. The Penrice saltpans and the varied horticulture
pursuits make for interesting viewing from as you approach the coastal
area.
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two wells
Has succeeded in retaining many of its heritage buildings and cottages
dating from the 1860’s with a main street, which reflects
the calm, unhurried pace of traditional country towns.
Two Wells is the major retail and service center for the district
and caters for most tourist needs. Attractions such as the Pudnarla
Food Craft and Medicine Trail and the restoration of the historic
“Two Wells” site along with the historic town walk are
a great way to spend an hour or two. Visitors can gain further information
by visiting the Two Wells Community Access Business Resource and
Internet Center in the main street, whilst Two Wells also has one
of the two motels along the Highway.
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middle beach
The Middle Beach and Recreation Centre is located at Middle Beach
along with a small caravan park and dormitory style accommodation
and kiosk whilst there is also limited boat launching facilities
at high tide.
The Samphire Discovery Trail provides a unique opportunity to walk
through three distinct coastal habitats with mangrove forests, samphire
flats and intertidal seagrass meadows on the sand and mud flats.
The Education and Recreation Centre provides a venue for school
and community groups to conduct in service courses and workshops
and ideal for groups who are involved in environmental education.
Visitors and students can experience a range of habitats and become
aware of the effects human activities have on natural systems.
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lower light
With the Light River running through the Plains Lower Light provides
another of the service stops along the Highway with a service station
and hotel and it is also has a sky diving club and the State’s
major rifle range.
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dublin
Historically Dublin was established as one of the stopping places
for horse drawn transport with the remains of the stables adjacent
to the Dublin Hotel.
A few kilometres south of the town on the Highway area range of
locally built sculptures, which were developed as a protest against
the waste facilities development and are now a focal point and tourist
attraction.
Dublin also offers its own butcher, fruit and vegetable store,
roadhouse, general store and service station whilst also offering
a small park and convenience facilities.
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thompson beach
Thompson Beach, has developed walking trails at the north and south
of the settlement as part of the Samphire Coast. This area, which
has access points to the beaches along its foreshore is growing
and is increasing as a coastal settlement with many new dwellings
being developed.
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webb beach
Webb Beach with its coastal protection/revegetation project interpretive
signage at the beach also offers great crabbing opportunities. South
of Webb Beach is the tidal Bakers Creek with pristine and healthy
mangrove forests and samphire flats providing a haven for migratory
shorebirds?
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port parham
Port Parham is known as “The Premier Crabbing Beach”
and has pristine shallow water, which is a haven for children, and
has its own Social Club. A free camping area is available to travellers
at the northern end of the town. It is the second most popular free
campsite in South Australia.
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port wakefield
Port Wakefield was one of the first settlements established beyond
the Adelaide limits. Port Wakefield boasts a colourful and interesting
history as part of the Copper Trail from Burra. Port Wakefield still
retains its place as a major service center for travelers, much
as what it was 150 years ago except today they are in motor vehicles.
Located in the geographical center of the Samphire Coast Port Wakefield
has boardwalks and bird identification signage and a great seaside
town for people who pull off the Highway and enter the historical
main street.
The new boat ramp and dredging of the channel make it the first
port with regular access to the Gulf north of metropolitan Adelaide.
A caravan park and motel plus a variety of food and fuel outlets
welcome travelers.
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balaklava
Balaklava is the main rural center on the path from or to the Samphire
Coast via Two Wells, Port Wakefield of from the Clare Valley and
it has the Wakefield River, which winds its way to the coast at
Port Wakefield. The Rocks Reserve with a walking trail, fully greened
18-hole golf course and the award winning Balaklava Cup are some
of the attractions.
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clinton conservation park
Clinton Conservation Park commences just north of Port Wakefield
and is dedicated to protect a significant and undisturbed area of
mangroves. This park is known for its rich bird life with 75 recorded
species and samphire shrub land, mallee woodland and tidal estuaries.
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lochiel
Lochiel is a small town situated on the west side of National Highway
One and named after Lochiel Forest near Inverness in Scotland and
also the Chief of the Cameron Clan. Lochiel was surveyed in 1869.
Stop for a while to view the changing colours of Bumbunga Lake.
The lake covers 3,530 acres and changes colour from blue in fine
weather to a vivid pink, which indicates a change is on the way.
There is a local myth that the lake is home to the Loch Ness Monster’s
cousin ‘Loch Eel’ – watch out for it! For a breathtaking
view of the town and lake take the Ninnes Road to the Hummocks Lookout,
3kms west of Lochiel.
The salt works to the northeast of the town ‘mined’
salt from the Bumbunga Lake, and was the major employer for the
town before its closure.
Accommodation – Lake View Hotel
Attractions – Bumbunga Lake, Hummocks Lookout,
Hart Field Day, Tennis courts, Oval
Distance from Adelaide - 130kms.
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snowtown
A district noted for its quality stock breeding, fat lambs, wool
and wheat, Snowtown is located on a fertile plain between the Mt
Lofty Ranges and the Barunga Range.
Snowtown’s agricultural background began in the 1840’s
as the early settlers ventured northwards seeking pastures for their
flock. The old Snowtown Pub was built in 1868 to service these settlers
and Snowtown was named in 1878 by the then Governor of South Australia,
Sir William F D Jervois, to perpetuate the name of his cousin and
aide de camp Thomas Snow.
Today Snowtown is the main service centre for the other smaller
townships in the vicinity, and the main street has a large number
of attractive public buildings. The Snowtown Memorial Hall, built
in 1919 is attached to the Old Institute, built in 1889. A variety
of local businesses provide for an interesting browse, and St Canice’s
Catholic church is a fine example of early architecture.
Accommodation – Snowtown Hotel, Snowtown
Caravan parking bay
Attractions – Fauna Park and wetlands, Pistol
range, Lions park picnic area, Swimming pool, Centenary Park Bowling
Green and Oval, Netball and Tennis Courts, Golf course
Distance from Adelaide – 146 kms
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blyth
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 family in 1839 and went on to become a successful business
man and parliamentarian, including three stints as Premier. As Agent-General
for the colony in about 1875 it was Sir Arthur Blyth who moved the
introduction of the bill that formed the Port Darwin Railway Company,
a project to build a transcontinental railway between Darwin and
Adelaide. At that time they expected the line to be completed in
14 years - little did they imagine that over a hundred years would
pass before the line would be finally completed in 2003.
The town of Blyth was created in 1875 and sits at the base of
the Clare Hills.
The original German St Petri Kirche Lutheran Church was built in
1886, with its tall steeple built in 1889 the focal point of the
church. Today the building is the Medika Gallery, a fine art gallery
selling Australian lassware, pottery, prints and original paintings
by Australian artists.
Brooks lookout, just off the road from Blyth to Clare, provides
a view of the Blyth and Wakefield Plains all the way to the western
horizon, providing a scenic ‘patchwork’ of rural colours.
Accommodation – Blyth Hotel
Attractions – Medika Gallery, Padnaindi Reserve,
Taste of Timber, Brooks lookout, Golf course, BMX track, Lawn tennis,
croquet and bowls, Netball courts, Football and cricket oval
Distance from Adelaide – 132 kms
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brinkworth
Established in 1892 as a rail junction the town was named after
the original landholder, George Brinkworth. As a service centre
for the railways, agriculture and pastoral industries the town grew
and prospered, and today it remains as an important grain storage
facility.
Numerous well-maintained buildings from the turn of the centre
remain in the Main Street, and a unique railway turntable and water
tower confirm its past importance as a railway line junction. A
rail quad car, used for repairing the rail tracks, is on display.
Extensive plantings of native trees lining the road and rail corridors
into Brinkworth welcome travelers to this attractive small rural
town. Visit the classic country pub – the Junction Hotel,
or take a picnic at any of the town reserves. The Historical Reserve
provides a local flora, living herbarium area and a history walk.
Whitecliffs Reserve on the Broughton River 7kms north of town
is a scenic and favourite picnic spot of the locals.
Accommodation – Junction Hotel, Brinkworth
Country Lodge B&B
Attractions – Brinkworth Historical Reserve,
Whitecliff’s Reserve, Memorial Gardens, Swimming pool, Cricket
and Football Oval, Lawn bowls, Tennis & Netball Courts
Distance from Adelaide – 152 kms
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hamley bridge
Hamley Bridge is a beautifully situated small town, nestled in a
picturesque valley between the rivers Gilbert and Light. The junction
of these rivers lies about 1.5kms from the southwestern border of
the township, and with five bridges within the compass of 1.5kms
it possesses unique features to be found in no other settlement
in the State. It is literally a town of bridges – named by
the government of the day, after the Acting Governor Colonel Francis
Gilbert Hamley (his wife laid the foundation stone of the River
Light railway bridge on July 25th, 1868).
The northern railway was extended from Roseworthy to Tarlee during
1868/69, and a bridge, said to be the highest in the state at the
time was built over the River Light. A railway station was established
a few hundred metres north of the bridge in 1880 and was at first
known as Alma Railway Station. Jacaranda trees line Gilbert Street
passing through the town and providing a spectacular display in
late spring.
Attractions – Heritage buildings, Swimming
pool, Weir recreation reserve, Football and cricket oval, Netball
and tennis courts, Lawn bowls, Golf course
Distance from Adelaide - 72kms
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owen
Owen is a small town in the centre of a grain growing area, established
in the late 1870’s 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, which was a great asset to the early settlers
of the Owen area. The Wooroora Hotel (now Owen Arms) was established
in 1905 by W R Standley, and remained in that family until 1972.
The Owen Wetlands provide a relaxing location to sit and ‘pond’er.
Accommodation – Owen Arms Hotel
Attractions – Swimming pool, Wetlands, Lindsay
Park, Lawn bowls, Golf course
Distance from Adelaide - 87kms.
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mallala
Mallala a farming community that is well known as the venue for
many national and international sporting events including, motor
sport at the race track which is on the site of the World War Two
air force base and equestrian at the International Indoor Centre.
The unusual town centre is believed to be the only one in the southern
hemisphere (and possibly the world) it has an eight road intersection.
Dating back to the 1860’s when the first surveys were carried
out the bullock tracks from the settlements of Two Wells, Gawler
and Balaklava happened to meet and the town grew around to service
the passing traffic. An impressive war memorial now has pride of
place at the head of the intersection.
Open every Sunday afternoon or by appointment is the Mallala museum
also at the main intersection and housed in the former flour mill.
Or just a short distance from Mallala, on the banks of the Light
River, is the picturesque Rockies Reserve a great picnic spot with
shelter and toilet facilities.
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virginia
Known as the ‘Garden of the Plains’, the vibrant township
of Virginia offers visitors an interesting insight into the strength
of a community working together. From its early farming days in
the 1850’s, Virginia has played an important role in the horticulture
and farming prosperity of South Australia. The original sheep farming
and cereal crops of Virginia were transformed into horticulture
and cultural diversity during the 1950’s and 1960’s.
The mix of Mediterranean cultures from the era, which included
Greek, Italian, Turkish and Bulgarian migrants, has in recent times
been combined with the Asia migrants of the 1990’s. The original
agricultural practices have given way to vegetables, flowers, olives,
almonds and grapes.
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fishing
Mulloway in the mangrove creeks around Port Wakefield and whiting
and snapper of the numerous artificial reefs in the area and then
further south Long Spit and the Goannas also produce good whiting
and snapper fishing. The whole coast offers excellent crabbing grounds
and also estuary fishing for bream and mullet.
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places of interest
• Port Gawler Off Road vehicle Hire Park
• Port Gawler Conservation Park and Historic Wharf
• Two Wells Historic Wells Walk & Pudnarla Food
Craft & Medicine Trail
• Middle Beach Samphire Discovery Trail
• Thompson Beach Walking Trails
• Port Parham and Webb Beaches
• Port Wakefield Walking Trail & Historic Town Centre
• Port Wakefield Boat Ramp
• Clinton Conservation Park
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things to do:
• Fishing and Crabbing
• Relaxing
• Scuba diving
• Sky diving
• Bird watching
• Swimming
• Boating
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major service centres
• Two Wells
• Dublin
• Balaklava
• Port Wakefield
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accommodation
• Middle Beach Education Centre and Recreation Centre
• Port Wakefield Caravan Park
• Port Wakefield Motel
• Two Wells Motel
• Balaklava Caravan Park
heritage trail
Will email you the pdf file, which we need to pull out the local
info on Two Wells etc and include Mallala, Balaklava and Port Wakefield
info.
The Gulf Road was used to convey copper ore from the Burra Mine
to Port Wakefield between 1849 and 1857.
Port Wakefield was established in 1850 to ship copper ore from
the Burra Mine. At high tide, flat-bottomed barges ferried cargo
from the wharf to vessels at anchorage in Gulf St Vincent. By 1857,
the Gulf Road ceased to be used and the port later served as the
main outlet for wheat and wool.
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museums
• Mallala
• Balaklava
arts and craft:
• Two Wells
• Balaklava
• Medika Gallery Blyth
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