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Murray River Holiday Attractions
South Australia
MONARTO
ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Telephone
(08) 8552 3677
Located
10 minutes outside
Murray Bridge, with
groups of blackbuck,
deer, zebra, giraffe
and other large herbivorous
species roaming freely
across 1,000 hectares
of undulating grasslands
and mallee forest.
The landscape and
climate at Monarto
provide the ideal
habitat for many grassland
dwelling species.
The entire area has
been enclosed by a
2.5 metre high electrified
quarantine fence which
keeps the Park's animals
safe and provides
a sanctuary for re-establishing
native animals and
plant life. Tours
of the park aboard
safari buses are conducted
by trained volunteer
guides or Monarto
Zoological Park staff.
COTTAGE
BOX CHOCLATES
Telephone
(08) 8532 5055
Tours
of this confectionary
factory reveal 39
unique and mouthwatering
products. Visitors
can sample, buy and
watch the production
process.
THE
CAPTAIN'S COTTAGE
MUSEUM
Telephone
(08) 8531 0049
This
1890s cottage built
for Captain Johnson
has been restored
to original condition
and features various
relics and photographs
of those pioneering
days
PINNAROO
HISTORICAL MUSEUMS
Telephone
(08) 8577 8002
This
collection of museums
captures the heritage
ol Pinnaroo. The old
railway station houses
displays of historical
items and photographs
on the town. A farm
machinery museum with
a range of farm machinery
and implements can
be found at the showgrounds.
The Printing museum
at the Soldiers Memorial
Park features an historic
telephone switchboard.
One of the world's
finest cereal collections
of over 1,300 varieties.
the D. A. Wurfel Cereal
Collection, is on
display at the Pinnaroo
Institute .
YOOKAMURRA
SANCTUARY
At
sunset over the river,
visitors can discover
rare wildlife in one
of the last remaining
ungrazed areas of
pristine mallee country.
The guided walk through
a forest introduces
you to the flowers
plants, birds and
little-seen animals
of this region. Bookings
for guided walks are
necessary.
OLD
TAILEM BEND
PIONEER
VILLAGE
Telephone
(08) 8572 3838
Fifty
preserved and restored
buildings recreate
life from the pioneer
days of South Australia.
The original Lillimour
South School is popular
as are the cottages.
Pioneer church, general
store, railway and
Police stations. Don't
forget to look into
the 'lock up'.
POLTALLOCH
HOMESTEAD
Telephone
(08) 8574 0043
This
sheep and cattle station
was built in 1876
by John Bowman and
is now owned by fifth
generation descendants
who share this special
settlement with visitors
and overnight guests.
The beautiful setting
overlooking Lake Alexandrina
is matched by the
homestead itself.
Tours of the property
can be arranged.
WELLINGTON
COURTHOUSE
Telephone
(08) 8572 7330
This
complex comprises
an 1864 courtroom
police station, cells,
stable, post and telegraph
office and Aboriginal
storeroom. A fine
example of colonial
architecture and a
reminder of a very
different way of life.
The complex should
be explored at a leisurely
pace.
ARTEFACTS
MUSEUM
Telephone
(08) 8735 8029
The Artefacts Museum
is one of the largest
in Australia, and
features a collection
relating to the South
East's Aboriginal
heritage.
LAKE
GEORGE
Telephone
(08) 8735 8013
The natural habitat
of large numbers of
black swans and a
variety of bird life,
Lake George is also
a popular spot for
windsurfing, swimming
and boating. Conventional vehicles
can travel as far
as the 'five mile
drift', while four
wheel drive vehicles
or people on foot
can follow the marked
tracks through the
sand dunes, viewing
the coastal vegetation
and shell middens
left by the Aboriginals
who once inhabited
the area. NATURE
WALKS
A
number of nature walks
provide visitors with
scenic views of Beachport.
Wendy's Walk meanders
through bushland,
sand dunes and eventually
onto the beaches of
the Southern Ocean.
Wooley's Walk, at
the entrance to the
Beachport Conservation
Park, takes you around
the picturesque lake
and provides the opportunity
of observing a diversity
of habitats. Lanky's
Walk guides you through
native bushland.
OLD
WOOL AND GRAIN STORE
This
is a National Trust
Museum, with an extensive
collection of local
relies from Beachport's
whaling heritage.
There are also rooms
furnished in the 1870s
period. The Water
Board has a permanent
display 'Down The
Drain'.
POOL
OF SILOAM
This
salt lake is reputed
to have seven times
the salt content of
the ocean and is supposed
to have therapeutic
qualities. The high
salt content makes
swimming very easy.
VICTORIANA
MUSEUM
Telephone
(08) 8735 8064
The two collections
on view are a Victoriana
exhibition and a display
on militaria, including
guns, grenades, helmets
and swords. There
is also a major collection
of items used in World
War II by the Third
Reich's Luftwaffe.
WOAKWINE
CUTTING
On
the Coastal Ports
Highway about 10 kilometres
north of Beachport
lies a testament to
the triumph of man
over nature - the
Woakwine Cutting,
This extraordinary
drainage project opened
up a large area of
swampland to farming.
An observation platform
gives visitors a bird's
eye view of the cutting.
CLAYTON
FARM HISTORIC SITE
AND AGRICULTURAL
MUSEUM
Telephone
(08) 8752 2548
Three kilometres south
of Bordertown this
complex of buildings
is a fine example
of colonial rural
construction. The
buildings date from
the late I9th century
and are made from
a variety of local
materials, including
brush, native pine
swamp grass and limestone.
Much of the farm machinery
remains.
THE
HON. RL HAWKE'S
FAMILY HOME
Telephone
(08) 8752 1044
Former Prime Minister
Bob Hawke was born
in Bordertown. His
childhood home has
recently been renovated
and is now occupied
by the Tatiara Employment
Services; visitors
are welcome. Photographs
and newspaper cartoons
of Bob Hawke are on
display.
KEITH
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Telephone
(08) 8755 1125
Standing proud in
Heritage Street is
the former Congregational
Church. Built of local
stone in 1910 it is
now owned by the Keith
branch of the National
Trust. Four leadlight
windows, made by local
artists depict the
work of the district's
pioneers.
OLD
MANSE
Telephone
(08) 8755 1125
This is a small museum
containing photographs
and archives depicting
Keith's early history.
ANALEMMATIC
SUNDIAL
In
Apex Park, this sundial
features a range of
granite-carved fish
which make up the
clock. The centre
piece is a sundial
and the time can be
established by standing
on the analemma and
the shadow so cast
tells the time.
BIG
LOBSTER
Telephone
(08) 8767 2555
Seventeen-metre high
Lany the Lobster contains
displays of the district's
products - timber,
dairy products, wine
and rock lobster.
CAPEJAFFA
LIGHTHOUSE
Telephone
(08) 8767 2591
This
lighthouse began life
on Margaret Brock
Reef in the 1860s
and stayed there for
a century. In the
1970s an automatic
light rendered it
redundant and it was
dismantled and re-erected
at Kingston. The National
Trust manages the
lighthouse.
MILLICENT
NATIONAL TRUST MUSEUM
AND ADMEUA GALLERY
Telephone
(08) 8733 3205
This has the reputation
of being one of the
best regional museums
in the state. Its
displays are strongly
thematic. The complex
evolved around the
site and buildings
of the old primary
school (1873) where
the Millicent, Victoriana,
Aboriginal and Natural
History Rooms are
located. Sixteen restored
horse drawn vehicles
are featured in the
museum, along with
fully restored farm
implements, tools
and machinery. The
Admella Gallery displays
a great collection
of Australian craft
work.
MILLICENT
SHELL GARDEN
Telephone
(08) 8733 2072
This extensive mural
work of glass, old
china and shells took
thirty nine years
to complete. Children
delight in walking
among the many nursery
rhyme characters dotted
among the flower beds.
A wall shows a map
of the Australian
states and the Waltzing
Matilda story. A modern
touch is the tribute
to Australia's great
win in the 1983 America's
Cup.
THE
BLUE LAKE
Telephone
(08) 8724 1711
This
is Mount Gambler's
star attraction. It
occupies one of the
extinct craters after
which the city was
named. Every November
the waters change
from a dull. grey
to deep blue and remain
so for several months.The
circumference of the
lake is over three
kilometres and the
surrounding cliffs
rise to seventy six
metres, forming a
limestone bowl. The
lake is the city's
source of water. There
are many lookouts
which offer panoramic
views of the lake
and surrounds. Tours
of the pumping station
are available.
THE
CAVE GARDENS
Telephone
(08) 8724 1711
This is an open cave,
illuminated at night
and renowned for its
rose gardens.
THE
CRATER LAKES
The
volcanic district
around Mount Gambler
has numerous lakes,
views and lookouts.
Among them are Browne's
Lake, Valley Lake,
Leg of Mutton Lake
and the Blue Lakes.
There are many good
lookouts, the best
being the Centenary
Tower opened in 1904
and is equipped with
a powerful telescope
for viewing the district.
ENGELBRECHT
CAVE
Telephone:
(08) 8724 1730
This cave lies within
the city's limits
and extends under
seven streets. It's
a good example of
the water filled caves
common to the area
and was formed thirty
to forty million years
ago.
THE
LADY NELSON TOURIST
INTERPRETIVE CENTRE
Telephone
008 087 187
This complex is built
around a full scale
replica of the 'Lady
Nelson,' the ship
captained by Lieutenant
Grant who first sighted
the land around Mount
Gambler The centre
provides an insight
into the people, industries
and history of the
region.
MOUNT
GAMBIER COOPERATIVE
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Telephone
(08) 8725 6744
A modern and well-equipped
cheese factory where
you can see cheese
being made from a
viewing gallery, watch
an audio-visual production
or take part in a
cheese tasting.
TARPEENA
FAIRY TALE PARK
Telephone
(08) 8739 6363
Approximately twenty
five kilometres north
of Mount Gambler is
Tarpeena Fairytale
Park. Many of the
thirty five fairytale
settings are depicted
in wood and stone
cottages, castles
and caves. Lilliput
land, hand-carved
from stone and cement,
reflects the detail
and continuity which
is the park's trademark.
TIMBER
MILL TOURS
Telephone
(08) 8739 6363
Both
Woods and Forests
and CSR Softwoods
conduct tours which
show all the processes
of timber treatment.
On a visit to one
of the huge timber
mills, you'll see
how the pinus radiata
from the surrounding
district is used.
UMPHERSTON
CAVE
Telephone
(08) 8724 1730
This is an open cave
with terraced gardens
and barbecue areas.
It is also an ideal
spot for a picnic
and has been popular
since Mount Gambier's,
early days when it
contained a small
lake.
NARACOORTE
MUSEUM
Telephone
(08) 8762 209
This
privately owned museum
has one hundred collections,
including a fine display
of antiques, gemstones,
butterflies, and many
other items. Its collection
of fossil shells and
bones from local limestone
quarries and caves
are a great feature.
Local species of venomous
snakes can also be
viewed in safety.
THE
SHEEP'S BACK WOOL
MUSEUM
Telephone
(08) 8762 1127
This museum depicts
the history of the
wool industry in
a series of excellent
displays and interpretive
information. An
historic flour mill
(1860) is its home,
and displays incorporate
life-size models,
photographs, artefacts
and audio- visual
presentations. It
is a great reminder
of the days when
Australia rode on
the sheep's back. THE
TINY TRAIN PARK
Telephone
(08) 8762 1327
This park is for children.
The miniature electric
train pulls five carriages
on which children
sit. The park also
contains an extensive
and safe playground
for children and an
eighteen-hole mini
golf course.
JOHN
RIDDOCH DISTRICT
INTERPRETIVE CENTRE
Telephone
(08) 8737 2855
In the former mechanics
Institute and Library
building, this centre
tells the fascinating
history of the Penola
district. The centre
includes an audio-visual
display, poetry recitals
of the works of Adam
Lindsay Gordon and
John Shaw Neilson
which enables visitors
to appreciate the
characters from Penola's
past.
PENOLA
HERITAGE WALK
Telephone
(08) 8737 2855
Departing from the
Tourist Information
Centre, the Penola
Heritage Walk visits
more than twenty seven
heritage sites around
Penola. Information
on the significance
of the buildings is
provided on boards.
The buildings include
the Penola Rectory,
restored in 1991 the
National Trust, and
McAdam Slab Hut, one
of the first houses
built in the area
in the 1880s.
PEITICOAT
LANE
The
National Trust of
South Australia has
restored a number
of heritage buildings
in this, the oldest
section of Penola.
Petticoat Lane has
been re-constructed
with red gum guttering
and landscaping to
complement the old
cottages. These buildings
now house a range
of shops and galleries
selling local crafts,
hand-made wood products
and local art work.
WOODS/MACKILLOP
SCHOOL HOUSE
Telephone
(08) 8737 2248
In Penola in 1866
Saint Mary MacKillop
established the first
school in Australia
that catered for all
children irrespective
of their income or
social class. The
dedicated Woods/MacKillop
Schoolhouse Committee
has spent many hours
collecting memorabilia
from both Mother Mary
and Father Woods.
There treasured articles
are on display at
the Schoolhouse.
YALLUM
PARK
Telephone
(08) 8737 2435
This two storey, twenty-two
roomed building, once
the home of local
pioneer John Riddoch,
is considered to be
one of the best preserved
Victorian houses in
Australia. Its outstanding
features include the
original gold leaf
wallpaper, eleven
Italian marble mantlepieces
and the original gasoliers.
Austin cottage at
the rear of the homestead
dates to 1840.
FISH
FARM
Telephone
(08) 8738 5288
Recently opened at
Mt. Schank, the Fish
Farm provides facilities,
allowing you to see
the hatcheries and
buy fresh fish, including
trout and yabbies.
MARITIME
MUSEUM
Telephone
(08) 8738 7259
In
the former District
Council Offices, this
museum has a collection
of artefacts taken
from the wrecks of
the more than twenty
five ships that sank
off Port MacDonnell
between 1844 and 1347.
MOUNT
SCHANK WALK
Mount
Schank, an extinct
volcano, is north
of Port MacDonnell
on the road to Mount
Gambler A walking
track has been built
on the outside of
the crater and also
in its interior to
allow visitors to
fully explore this
fascinating geological
phenomenon. From the
top, there are spectacular
views of the country.
HISTORICAL
INTERPRETIVE CENTRE
Telephone
(08) 8768 2465
This centre presents
an interpretation
of the history of
the port of Robe and
environs over the
last 140 years.
NARRABURRA WOOLSHED
Telephone (08) 8768
2083 / 8768 2190
This is a working
woolshed fourteen
kilometres from
Robe. See sheep
dogs working the
sheep, shearing
displays, wool sorting
and baling. Short
walking trails have
been prepared into
the surrounding
bushland where you
can spot native
birds and animals;
there are also good
views of Lake Eliza
nearby.
NORA
CREINA
This
is a picturesque fishing
spot south of Robe.
ROBE
CUSTOMS HOUSE
Telephone
(08) 8768 2419
This building, dating
from 1863, contains
an excellent collection
of nautical items
and artefacts depicting
Robe's history.
For more travel information on Murray River in NSW
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