Riverland Attractions

Loxton (pop. 3300) is the 'garden city' of the Riverland region. Large numbers of ex-servicemen were resettled here after the Second World War. The main crops, in irrigated fields, are fruit (particularly citrus fruits), together with wheat. The town was originally called Loxtons Hut, after a boundary rider of that name who built a primitive hut here.On the banks of the river is the Historical Village, with some two dozen faithfully re-created late 19th C buildings. There are a number of galleries showing work by local artists.

Renmark (pop. 4260) lies in the center of the oldest irrigation area in Australia on the Murray River, near the point where the states of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria meet. The first irrigation system was installed by the Chaffey brothers from Canada in 1887, and now huge plantations of citrus and other fruits are supplied with water from the Murray. The fruit is processed in local canneries and juice factories. Wheat, sheep and dairy farming also make their contributions to the local economy.Olivewood, the former Chaffey homestead, is a National Trust museum. The town is attractively laid out with gardens and beds of roses. The Renmark Hotel is an imposing three-story building at a bend in the river.Cruises are run on the Murray River, and house boats can be hired.

Barmera (pop. 1860), the center of an irrigated area growing grapes, apricots, peaches and citrus fruits, was originally established after the First World War as a settlement of ex-soldiers. It lies in the Riverland area on the shores of Lake Bonney.Napper's Old Accommodation House (1850), now in ruins, was built to house cattle drovers on the overland stock route from New South Wales. On the shores of Lake Bonney (fishing, water sports) is an obelisk commemorating Donald Campbell's attempt on the world water speed record in 1964. Also of interest are the Art Gallery and the National Trust Museum. The displays in the Cobdogla Museum vividly illustrate the history of irrigation.

The little town of Waikerie (pop. 1800) a mecca for gliding enthusiasts, is a kind of oasis in the otherwise arid mallee scrub in which fruit and vegetables are profitably grown with the aid of irrigation. It has been called a gliders' paradise, with a gliding club 4km east of the town.The Murray River is lined by high sandstone cliffs and tall eucalyptus trees. There are house boats available for hire. In the mallee scrub of the surrounding area, along the river and in the irrigated area are many species of birds.Accommodation Motel, caravan/camping parks.

Originally a refueling stop for paddle steamers on the Murray River, Berri (pop. 4000) was declared a town in 1911 and is now the commercial center of the Riverland region, an extensive irrigated fruit growing area. At the entrance to the little town is the Big Orange, an enormous reminder of the fact that oranges and lemons are grown here. Opposite the Big Orange is the Riverland Display Centre (old vehicles, Aboriginal arts and crafts).

Peterborough (pop. 2200) is a place of interest to railroad enthusiasts. In the past it was the junction of three different railroad systems, and it is still a railroad town, on the (relatively) busy line from Port Pirie to Broken Hill. There is an interesting Railway Museum, and at weekends and on public holidays the local railroad preservation society runs steam train excursions on a narrow-gauge line.

The little township of Morgan (pop. 440) was an important river port in the past. It is the starting point of the important water pipeline to Whyalla.The 12m high wharves of 1878 are well preserved. Other fine historic buildings are the customs house, courthouse and railroad station.