Where did your ancestors live in the late 1800s? Follows is a list and brief description of the townships in Queensland as described in 1877.
This information may help those who are tracing the path of their ancestors within Australia. Basic information such as location and the main activities in the district may indicate why an ancestor went to the location. There is more information on each place available in the source material such as the buildings, businesses and population at each in the 1870s and in many cases, the means of travel to, or communication with, the town.
ADELAIDE, the capital of South Australia, and the seat of government, is an episcopal city, on the river Torrens about 6 miles E. from Gulf St. Vincent, Port Adelaide being the shipping port. The city was founded in 1836 by Colonel Light. A discovery of gold in the neighbouring colony and the consequent exodus of people has retarded growth, but with the abatement of gold fever the city gradually resumed its former aspect. Adelaide is built nearly in the form of a square and consists of two portions, North and South Adelaide, the latter being the business portion of the city. Between the two runs the river Torrens which is crossed by two massive iron bridges and two wooded bridges. Adelaide is situated on a large plain, the Mount Lofty range of mountains at from 4 to 8 miles distance, walling it on the eastern and southern sides. The boundaries of South Adeliade are four terraces facing the cardinal points of the compass and known as North, South, East and West terraces. The city is under municipal government which it adopted in 1840. A plentiful supply of water is obtained from reservoirs at Hope Valley and Thorndon Park which derive their supply from the river Torrens. The Botanic Gardens occupy an area of about 40 acres.
ABERDEEN. See Redruth.
ALBERTON, a post town and railway station on the Port line, suburban to Adelaide, 6.5 miles W. It is in the electoral district of Port Adelaide.
ALDINGA, a post and telegraph station, situated a creek of the same name on the main southern road to Yankalilla, 27 miles S. of Adelaide. It is in the county of Adelaide, electorate of Norlunga and police district of Willunga. The district is an agricultural one, wheat being principally grown. Aldinga is known to many as the “Honeymoon Village”. Large quantities of slate, red gum and the cereals are exported from here.
ALLANDALE NORTH, a small post town in the county of Light and the same electoral district, 51 miles NE. of Adelaide. The land in the district is of a good agricultural character.
ALMA, a post town and telegraph station, 56 miles NE. of Adelaide.
ANGASTON, a township money-order, savings’ bank and telegraph office on the Angaston creek, 51 miles NW. of Adelaide. The district is an agricultural one, in addition to wheat, the vine is extensively cultivated. Copper has been found in the neighbourhood, but not in sufficient quantities to pay for working.
ANGLE VALE, a postal village near the Gawler river, in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Yatala, 23 miles distant from Adelaide by mail route N., but only 20 miles by direct road. There is in the town an agricultural implement works. The district is an agricultural one and is occupied for miles around by wheat crops. Gawler is the nearest railway station.
APOINGA, a post town in the county and electoral district of Burra, 86 miles N. by E. of Adelaide. The neatest water is Tothill’s creek, and the nearest railway station is the Burra. Pastoral and agricultural district.
AUBURN lies on the river Wakefield, in the county of Stanley, electorate of Wooroora, 74.5 miles N. of Adelaide. It is a telegraph, savings’ bank and money-order office. Kapunda is 30 miles distant. Saddleworth, 6 miles distant. The District Council sits at auburn, and it is the headquarters of the Northern Agricultural Society.
BAGOT’S WELL, a post town in the county and electoral district of Light, 544 miles N. of Adelaide. There are here a Congregational church and a public school. Communication is by way of the Kapunda railway station. Agricultural district.
BALAKLAVA, a post town in the county of Gawler, Hundred of Balaklava and Inkerman, electorate of Wooroora, and police district of Port Wakefield, about 60 miles N. of Adelaide and 15 miles from Port Wakefield. It is an agricultural and pastoral district and contains a quantity of scrub land. Balaklava is the outlet of the produce of Dalkey, Stow, and Hall, and portion of Everard.
BALHANNAH, a post town in the county of Adelaide, and electoral division of Onkaparinga, 18.5 miles E. of Adelaide, on the Onkaparinga river. A mile from the town is a bismuth and copper mine.
BAROSSA GOLD FIELD, a postal township in the county and electoral district of the same name, near the Para river and Yatta creek, about 35.5 miles NE. of Adelaide.
BELTANA, a post town and telegraph station near the Warrioota creek, in the county of Frome, electoral district of Flinders, 398 miles N. of Adelaide. Several copper mines have been found in the neighbourhood.
BELVEDERE, a post town on the Angas river, 39 miles E. of Adelaide, in the county of Hindmarsh, and electoral district of Mount Barker. A mail coach runs twice daily to and from the metropolis. The district is of an agricultural character.
BLANCHE TOWN, a township and telegraph office in the county of Eyre, electorate of Barossa, and central police district, on the west bank of the river Murray, 88 miles NE. of Adelaide, with which the communication is by coach to Freeling, thence by railway. The district is a pastoral one, sheep stations predominating.
BLETCHLEY, a postal town in the county of Hindmarsh and electoral district of Mount Barker, 6 miles E. of Strathalbyn, 4 miles N. of Langhorne’s Bridge, and 36 miles SE. of Adelaide, on the Bremer creek. The district was laid out in farms, but the land getting impoverished, and a large portion of the district has become a sheep run.
BLINMAN, a post, telegraph, and money order town in the county and electoral district of Hinders, about 348 miles N. of Adelaide. A small creek runs through the township. The nearest creek of any size is the Willigan, about 7 miles to the northward. The well-known Blinman mine is here.
BLUMBERG, a country township and telegraph station 28 miles NE. of Adelaide. Population mostly Germans. An extensive wheat and dairy produce, also in wattle bark. Gold has been found in the neighbourhood.
BLYTH PLAINS, a postal centre in the country and electoral district of Stanley, 99 miles due N. of Adelaide.
BORDER TOWN is a post town and money order office in the county of Buckingham, and electoral district of Albert, situated about 65 miles N. of Narracoorte, on the old and direct line of road to Adelaide, from which it is distant 282 miles SSE. The Victorian boundary is about 10 miles distant. The soil and climate are admirably adapted for the growth of vines, and will also produce excellent wheat in favourable seasons.
BOWDEN is a suburb of Adelaide, situated 1.75 miles W. of, and suburban to, the city, with which it is connected by the Port Line.
BRIDGEWATER (sometimes called Cox’s Creek) lies on Cox’s creek, 14 miles SE. of Adelaide. It is in the county of Adelaide, anti electoral district of Mount Barker. Market gardening is mainly followed in the district. Land is heavily timbered with stringy bark. The Grunthal copper mine is about 1.5 miles distant.
BRIGHTON, a municipal seaside town and watering-place on the shores of the Gulf of St. Vincent, 10 miles S. of Adelaide. Part of the cultivated land, about 124 acres in the district, is laid down in vines.
BROMPTON. See Hindmarsh.
BUGLE RANGES, a postal town in the county of Hindmarsh, and electoral district of Mount Barker, 27 miles ESE. of Adelaide, with which it is connected by a good road, metalled nearly all the way. The river Angas flows about 6 miles distant. Like most of the small places in South Australia, it is a postal centre rather than a township, as it is a collection of homesteads. District is very hilly, with many small creeks emptying into Langhorne’s creek. The timber is mainly gum, sheaoak, and wattle. Farming and grazing principally carried on.
BURRA. See Kooringa.
CALLINGTON is situated on the Bremer creek, 36.5 miles SE. of Adelaide. It is a money-order office and telegraph station. Wheat and barley are principally grown in the district. Copper also abounds, and two or three mines are in work in the vicinity of the township.
CAMPBELLTOWN, a small postal township, 5 miles from Adelaide. The land is mainly taken up for market-gardening purposes. A short distance from the town is situated the main reservoir of the Adelaide waterworks.
CHARLESTON, a township in the county of Adelaide, police district of Woodside, and electorate of Onkaparinga, 25 miles E. of Adelaide. An old settled district, and for many years regarded as the “Garden of the Colony” till impoverished by injudicious cropping. The prospects of the land are now favourable. Sheep are now kept here and thrive.
CHERRY GARDENS, a postal township on the creek of the same name, in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Noarlunga, 14 miles SE of the metropolis. Agricultural district.
CLARE, a municipality, money-order office, and telegraph station on the Hutt river, 89 miles NNW. of Adelaide. It is in the county and electorate of Stanley. In Clare are three large agricultural implement manufactories. There are numerous farms in the district, and in the more distant country are several sheep and cattle stations.
CLARENDON, a money-order office and township, is situated on the Onkaparinga river, 18 miles SE. of Adelaide. The district is well adapted for agricultural purposes, wheat, peas, and potatoes being largely grown. There are also several vineyards in the neighbourhood. A few miles distant copper is found in payable quantities. The country in the environs is hilly and undulating, and the banks of the river are romantic and pleasing.
CONCORDIA, a post town in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Barossa, 30.5 miles N. of Adelaide. Population, partly German. Gawler is 4 miles distant, and is the market town, and nearest railway station. Agricultural district.
COOLATOO. a post town in the county of Nairne, and electoral district of Albert, on the Coorong river, 120 miles from Adelaide. Grazing locality.
COROMANDEL VALLEY, a postal village near the river Sturt, in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Noarlunga, 9.5 miles S. of Adelaide. The district is principally of a farming character, but silver and lead mining has been carried on in the past, though nothing is doing now. The Almanda Mine is about 3 miles distant. There is no township in Coromandel Valley, but there is a post office, and a mail coach passes through from Adelaide every day.
CRAFERS, a post town 10 miles SE. of Adelaide.
CRAIGLEE. The Craiglee steam flourmills, biscuit, and jam factory, is situated on the river Sturt, Coromandel Valley, about three miles below the Government farm, 10 miles by the main road to Adelaide, and lies directly S. of the city. No ship biscuit is made, but only fancy biscuits. During the season of 1874-5, tons of jam were made.
CURRENCY CREEK, a postal village on the creek after which it is named, in the county of Hindmarsh, and electoral district of encounter Bay, 52 miles S. of Adelaide.
DALKEY, otherwise known as Sichem, is a postal station in the county of Gawler, and electoral district of Port Wakefield, 80 miles NE. of Adelaide. Principally German farmers.
DASHWOOD’S GULLY, a postal township in the county of Hindmarsh, electoral district of Noarlunga, and Clarendon police district, 24.5 miles. SE. of Adelaide. The district is of both an agricultural and grazing character.
DAVEYSTON, a post town in the county of Light, electoral district of Nurioopta, 41.5 miles N. of Adelaide. Agricultural District.
DRY CREEK, a postal town, telegraph and railway station in the county of Yatala north, 6.5 miles N. of Adelaide.
ECHUNGA, a postal, telegraph, and money order township, 21 miles SE. of Adelaide, on the road to Strathalbyn, Milang, and the overland mail route to Melbourne. The district is partly agricultural, and in part a mining one. Wheat, peas, and potatoes are principally raised. A considerable quantity of gold has been yielded by the workings. Silver is also found and from time to time numerous diamonds of small size have been unearthed.
EDEN VALLEY is situated on the Eden creek, 44 miles NE. of Adelaide. The district is taken up by farms and stations.
EDWARDSTOWN, a suburb of Adelaide, about 4 miles distant.
FARREL’S FLAT, a post-town, money-order office, and telegraph and railway station, on the North Line, 87.5 miles NE. of Adelaide.
FINDON, a post town of Adelaide, electorate of West Torrens, 3 miles NW1/2W., or 39° N. of W. from Adelaide Observatory on the river Torrens. The country is a plain formed by alluvial and diluvial deposit of stiff marly clay is sometimes used for building purposes.
FINNISS VALE. See Second Valley.
FREELING, 36 miles N. of Adelaide, a postal and money-order office, telegraph and railway station, in the county and electorate of Light, on the Adelaide, Gawler, and Kapunda line. It is the centre of a large wheat-growing district, and the place where the main road from the Murray at Blanchetown meets the Railway.
FRIEDRICKSWALDE, a post town in the electorate of Light and police district of Kapunda, 65 miles direct N. of Adelaide. It lies between the river Light and the Julie creek, each 3 miles distant W. and E. It is a hilly, fertile agricultural district.
FULHAM, a postal town, suburban to Adelaide, about 5.5 miles W., in a straight line from Hindley Street, in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of West Torrens. It is the central part of the “Reed Beds”. It is about 1 mile from the seacoast and is situated about centrally between Port Adelaide and Holdfast Bay.
GAWLER, a municipal township, money-order, and telegraph office on the Gawler river, in the county and police district of the same name, and electorate of Barossa, at the base of the Barossa mountains, 24 miles NE. of Adelaide. It is one of the most thriving places in the colony, its prosperity being mainly owing to its being the centre of an immense wheat-growing district. Silver, copper, lead, and gold have been found in the neighbouring ranges. Under cultivation, the leading crops are wheat, barley and vines.
GEORGETOWN, a money-order office and telegraph station, 129 miles N. of Adelaide.
GILBERT TOWN, county of Adelaide, electorate of West Torrens, is suburban to Adelaide, from which it is 2 miles distant. Gilbert Town is a ward in the Walkerville district.
GLADSTONE, a telegraph station and money order office 134 miles N. of Adelaide.
GLENBURN, a postal township in the county of Hindmarsh electoral district of Encounter Bay, 61.5 miles S. of Adelaide. The mines are not worked at present.
GLENBURNIE, a postal centre in the county of Grey, electoral district of Victoria, and district council of Mount Gambier East, 330 miles SE. of Adelaide. It is 4.5 miles E. from Mount Gambier and 6 miles W. of the east boundary of the colony. Pastoral and agricultural district.
GLENELG, a watering-place and municipality, also money-order and telegraph office, on the Holdfast bay or the Pattawillunga creek, 6.5 miles SSW. from Adelaide. It is in the county and police district of Adelaide, and electorate of Sturt. It is a favourite place of resort during the summer months.
GLENGROVE, See Dashwood’s Gully.
GLENOSMOND, a pretty suburban village 4 miles SE. of Adelaide, noted for its stone quarries, from which about two-thirds of Adelaide is built. Some of the first silver mines were opened here but were consequently abandoned. A remnant of the works there erected is a large white chimney about the middle of the hill, which served as a landmark at sea.
GOOLWA, a corporate town on the west bank of the Murray, 7 miles from its mouth and 60 miles S. of Adelaide is the oldest established port in connection with the trade of the river and its tributaries and is so rising in importance that it is predicted to be the future “New Orleans” of Australia. Goolwa includes numerous stores, a large steam flour-mill, a saw-mill, brewery engineering and iron-foundry establishment, patent slip, and building yards for building and repairing steamers. The district is of an agricultural and pastoral character.
GRAND JUNCTION, a post town in the county of Adelaide, hundred of Yatala, and electorate of Yatala, situated near the Dry Creek railway station, about 6 miles N. of Adelaide. Partly agricultural district, but very swampy.
GREENOCK, a money-order and telegraph office and township on the creek of the same name, 45 miles N of Adelaide. Wheat takes precedence of other crops.
GRUNTHAL is situated on the Onkaparinga liver, 16.5 miles E. of Adelaide. It is in the electorate of Onkaparinga. There are some orchards and gardens, and a few vineyards here, and copper mining to a limited extent.
GUNERACHA, a township 23 miles NE. of Adelaide.
HAHNDORF is situated on the creek of the same name, 17 miles E. of Adelaide. It is a telegraph and money-order office. The majority of inhabitants being German. Wheat potatoes, and grapes are extensively grown in the district. Sailors’ Gully and Saw Mill Gully are goldfields situated about 1.5 miles respectively from this township.
HAMILTON is a money-order office and township, situated on the river Light, 59.5 miles N of Adelaide. A large tract of land in the district is devoted to the growth of wheat. There are also a few sheep stations.
HAMLEY BRIDGE, a post town, railway station and money-order office in the county of Gawler, electoral district of Stanley 44.5 miles N. of Adelaide, situated on the river Light very near its junction with the Gilbert. Agricultural district.
HARROGATE, a post-office in the county of Sturt, and electoral district of Onkaparinga 32 miles E. of Adelaide on the Bremer river.
HINDMARSH, a suburban township on the river Torrens, 2 mile, NW. of Adelaide. This corporate town comprises Hindmarsh, Bowden, Brompton, Brompton Park, Canondown, Ridleaton, and Croydon. Wheat is extensively cultivated in the district.
HOPE VALLEY, a post town on the creek of the same name, in the county of Yatala, electoral and police district of Gumeracha, 10 miles distant from Adelaide, NE. by E. Half a mile from here is the new reservoir. The adjacent country is fertile and undulating, with some indications of coal.
HOUGHTON, a post town in the county of Adelaide, and electorate and police district of Gumeracha, 14 miles NE. of Adelaide.
HOYLETON, is the present terminus of the Port Wakefield and Hoyles Plains Tramway, and lies 88 miles N. of Adelaide, with which it has telegraphic facilities.
JAMES TOWN, a post town and money-order office, 141 miles N. of Adelaide.
JUPITER CREEK, a postal town in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Mount Barker, 25 miles SE. of Adelaide. Goldfield.
KADINA, a corporate town, telegraph, and money-order office, situated in the northern part of Yorke’s peninsula, 96 miles NE. of Adelaide. It is in the county of Daly. Kadina owes its prosperity to the rich copper mines in the vicinity.
KANMANTOO is situated within a short distance of the river Bremer, 34 miles SE. of Adelaide (county of Sturt, electoral district of Okaparinga). There are several very copper mines in the vicinity. The country surrounding Kanmantoo is taken up by farms and stations. The vine is grown in quantities in several places.
KANYAKA, a postal township on the creek of the same name, 234 miles N. of Adelaide. The Kanyaka copper mine is in the vicinity of the township. The district is primarily occupied for sheep farming.
KAPUNDA, a mining township, municipality, telegraph station, and money-order office, and the present terminus of the Northern Railway, 48 miles to the NE. of Adelaide, in the county and electorate of Light. The copper mines in the neighbourhood have long borne a world-wide celebrity. They were discovered in 1843. There are also quarries of fine marble in the neighbourhood. It is a large wheat-growing district.
KERSBROOK, a small township and money order office on the Chain of Ponds creek. Adelaide is distant 22 miles NE. It is in the county of Adelaide, and electorate and police district of Gumeracha. Humbug Scrub diggings are 9 miles distant. Tho district is an agricultural one, but the land is worn out and scarcely anything is grown but potatoes and peas, and people are leaving for the northern areas. About a quarter of a mile distant is a small township called Maidstone.
KINGSTON, known also by the mercantile marine as Port Caroline, is situated on the banks of the Maria creek, 169 miles SE. of Adelaide. It is in the county of Albert, and electorate of Penola. The harbour is a very commodious one, well protected, with water sufficient for vessels of the largest tonnage, and considered one of the safest in the colony.
KOORINGA is situated on the Burra creek, 101 miles to the N. of Adelaide. It is 50 miles from Kapunda, is a money-order office, post office, savings’ bank, and telegraph station, and has now its district council. The Burra Burra copper mine is in the immediate neighbourhood. It was discovered in 1844. Copper has been found in other localities, and also silver, lead ore, and other minerals. Large quantities of land north of and surrounding the township are now under wheat cultivation.
LAKE PLAINS, a post town in the county of Bremer, and electorate of Mt. Barker, 47 miles E. of Adelaide. It is located on the Bremer river. The district is a wheat-growing one, but is becoming deserted owing to the exhausted state of the soil.
LANGHORNE’S CREEK, a township on the creek from which it takes its name, 44 miles SE. of Adelaide. It is a telegraph and money-order office. The district is taken up for farming purposes.
LAURA, a postal, money-order, and telegraph town, is situated close to the Rocky river, 141 miles N. of Adelaide, and is described as “one of the prettiest of all the urban settlements seen in the areas.”
LEASINGHAM, a small village on the main north road between Auburn and Clare, very pleasantly situated on the Kooringa and Port Wakefield road, 78.5 miles N. of Adelaide. The land is good, is well timbered and watered. A vineyard of 50 acres in extent is in the vicinity.
LOBETHAL, a small township, telegraph, and money-order office, romantically situated in a girdle of hills, principally occupied by Germans, on the Western Branch creek, a short distance W. of the Onkaparinga river. The district is an agricultural one—wheat, barley, rye, oats, hops, and potatoes being extensively cultivated. Large quantities of grapes are grown and a great deal of fruit is sent from the district.
LOWER MITCHAM or Parkfield, a township suburban to Adelaide, about 3.5 miles distant due S., situated on the banks of Brown Hill creek, in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Sturt. Has good soil and the best of water. Adjacent to the township is the celebrated Torrens Park, noted for its fine orangery.
LYNDOCH, a postal, money-order, and telegraph township, 36 miles N. of Adelaide, on the main road between Gawler and Tanunda. Copper is found in payable quantities, and the gold indications are promising. The district is an agricultural one.
MACCLESFIELD, a postal and money order office and telegraph station, 27 miles SE. of Adelaide. The district is agricultural.
MAGILL, a post town, suburban to Adelaide, some 4.5 miles from the city, due E., in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of East Torrens. It is situated on Third creek, at the foot of the Mount Lofty ranges, the low land producing supplies of the finest vegetables during the summer months for the Adelaide market. The gentle elevation above the city and surrounding plains renders the view overlooking Gulf St. Vincent and Yorke’s Peninsula. The slopes of the hills are covered with vineyards.
MALLALA, a post town and money-order office, 37 miles N. of Adelaide.
MANNUM, a post town, money-order and telegraph office in the Hundred of Finnis, and electoral district of Gumeracha, about 52 miles NE. of Adelaide. This place, though small at present, is the chief port on the Murray for the shipment of goods for places up the river, and for the landing of wool for re shipment at Port Adelaide. Its interests will be seriously affected by the proposed railway from Kapunda.
MANOORA, a ward and telegraph township in the district of Saddleworth, county of Light, electorate of the Burra, and police district of Auburn, about 75 miles NE. of Adelaide, located on the river Gilbert. Manoora ward is watered by the river Gilbert, which intersects it from north to south. It is a highly productive wheat-growing country, well timbered, and has beautiful park-like scenery. Slate and stone quarries are in full operation.
MARRABEL, a township and money-order office, situated near the river Light, in the county and electorate of Light, police district of Kapunda, 71 miles N. of Adelaide. A considerable breadth of land is under cultivation in the district.
MEADOWS, a post town in the county of Adelaide, electoral district of Noarlunga, 28.5 miles SE. of Adelaide. Bull’s creek flows one mile to the S. and Meadows creek about half a mile NW. Gold has been found in small quantities. Potatoes are largely grown in the district, which is both of an agricultural and pastoral character. Sawn timber, firewood, bark, and gum are sent to Adelaide in considerable quantities.
MELROSE, a township at the base of Mount Remarkable, 195 miles N. of Adelaide. It is both a telegraph and money-order office. The district is a pastoral one.
MENINGIE is situated on the eastern side of Lake Albert, in the county of Russell, electorate of Albert, and police district of Wellington, 78 miles S. E of Adelaide, and is a post town and telegraph station. It is an agricultural and pastoral district, with limestone hills.
MIDDLETON, a sea-side postal town on the tramway, nearly midway between Goolwa and Victor Harbour. The district is purely an agricultural one. It is 56 miles S. of Adelaide.
MILANG is situated on the border of Lake Alexandrina, through which the river Murray runs, 48 miles SE. of Adelaide, to which it acts as the port for the river Murray traffic. There is a money order office and telegraph station in the town. The district is good for pastoral and agricultural purposes.
MILLICENT, is a new township between Robe and Mount Gambier, 44 miles from Robe, 341 miles SE. of Adelaide. It is situated in what is known as “the drainage” country, a large tract of rich, flat country, usually submerged in the winter, owing to there being no outlet through it for the surplus rainfall. The Government are now completing the drainage of the flats which is thus made fit for agricultural settlement and will be utilized for wheat growing. Millicent is in the centre of acres already drained, and largely settled. The nearest port is Rivoli Bay, about 15 miles distant.
MINTARO, a postal township, money-order and telegraph office, and railway station, near the Wakefield river, 82.5 miles N. of Adelaide. It is situated in the centre of a splendid agricultural district. About a mile from the town are the quarries of the far-famed “Mintaro slate stone”.
MODBURY, a small postal village in the county of Adelaide, police district and electorate of Gumeracha, 9.5 miles NE. of Adelaide. It is on Dry Creek, and on the main road from Adelaide to Mount Pleasant.
MONARTO, a scattered agricultural and pastoral district, 42 miles E. of Adelaide, in the county of Sturt, and electoral district of Nairne.
MOONTA, a mining township and municipality on the shores of Spencer’s Gulf, 99 miles NW. of Adelaide. There are several copper mines in the vicinity, the mines bearing the name of the town were discovered in 1861. There is a money-order office and telegraph station in the town. There are several sheep stations in the district.
MORPHETT VALE, a postal township and money-order office, is situated on Anderson’s creek in a valley on the Great South road, 15.5 miles S. of Adelaide. There are several productive vineyards and wheat is also extensively grown.
MOUNT BARKER, a postal, telegraph, and money-order office, and savings’ bank agency and township, near the head of the creek of the same name, 21 miles E. of Adelaide. Fruit and the vine are extensively grown. Wheat is the leading crop.
MOUNT GAMBIER, the largest of the south eastern townships is situated in the county of Grey, on the northern base of the extinct volcano from which it derives its name, 287 miles SE. of Adelaide. Port Macdonnell, which is the port of the district, is distant 18 miles S., Penola 32 miles N., Robetown 75 miles NW., and Portland (Victoria) about 65 miles SE. It comprises the original township (Mount Gambier proper), an adjacent one laid out by Government (Mount Gambier, South), Claraville, Rosaville, and Sutton Town. It is the centre of a fine agricultural district permitting the abundant growth of English fruits, potatoes, and grasses. Hops are now being extensively cultivated. It has a telegraph station, post-office, gaol, courthouse, police station, a fine institute and library, a large Oddfellows’ hall, and a commodious and well-conducted hospital.
MOUNT PLEASANT, a postal, money-order, and telegraph office, is situated on the eastern source of the Torrens river, 35 miles NE. of Adelaide. The district is principally an agricultural one, wheat being almost exclusively cultivated, but there are also several sheep runs in the neighbourhood. A discovery of gold (Scott’s mine) was made of a very promising character. There is a copper mine at Kanappa (14 miles distant).
MOUNT TORRENS lies 30 miles from Adelaide NE. It is a telegraph and money-order office. The district is a farming one, large quantities of wheat being grown. There are promising copper indications in the locality. Alluvial gold has been found in considerable quantities.
MYPONGA, a postal township, situated 4 miles S. of Jellick’s, and 40 miles S. of Adelaide.
NAILSWORTH PROPER is situated about miles N. of Adelaide on the main north road ; the neighbourhood for some distance around is called by the same name. Farming and limeburning are the principal industries carried on in the neighbourhood.
NAIRNE, a money-order and telegraph office and village on the Nairne creek, 25 miles E. of Adelaide. There are in the neighbourhood several farms and stations mainly for wheat and grazing purposes. Copper is found in payable quantities.
NARRACOORTE, a thriving town and money-order and telegraph office, on the old overland route to Melbourne and Mosquito Creek, 222 miles SE. of Adelaide, in the county and police district of Robe, and electorate of Albert. The town consists of Narracoorte East and Narracoorte West. The district is almost entirely of a pastoral character. There are two new small postal towns—Vuna, 7 miles distant, and Binnum, about 25.
NAVAN, a post town in the county of Light, electoral district of Wooroora, 66.5 miles N. of Adelaide, on the Gilbert river. The land around, slightly wooded, and is utilized by farmers and pastoral tenants.
NOARLUNGA, a township, telegraph, and money-order office on the banks of the Onkaparinga river, a short distance from its mouth, 20.5 miles S. of Adelaide. The district is an agricultural one, wheat growing being principally followed.
NORMANVILLE, a thriving seaport township, also called Port Yankalilla, 48.5 miles S. of Adelaide. It is situated on Bungala creek, in the county of Hindmarsh, and electoral district of Encounter Bay. The town comprises a post office and telegraph station, local courthouse and clerks’ offices, customs-office and police station. A jetty affords facilities for shipping purposes. The beach at Normanville is a fine one, and the surrounding scenery is considered beautiful and picturesque. A silver lead mine, the Wheal Mary, was once worked about three miles from here, and copper is believed to be abundant in the district.
NORTON’S SUMMIT, a post town on Third creek, in the Hundred of Adelaide, and electoral district of Onkaparinga, 8.5 miles E. of Adelaide. It is on the eastern road, commanding a view of Adelaide, Port Adelaide, and the Gulf. St. John’s Church stands on the summit. Horticultural district mainly.
NORWOOD, a suburb of Adelaide, 2 miles NF. from the centre of the city. With Kensington it constitutes a municipality.
NURIOOTPA, a postal and telegraph town in the county and electoral district of Light and Barossa, police district of Angaston, 47 miles N. of Adelaide, on the Gawler river. Agricultural district.
OAKBANK, a postal town in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Onkaparinga, 20 miles E. of Adelaide, situated on the Onkaparinga river. Principally a mining and agricultural district. Gold has also been found in many places. There are many vineyards and orchards to be seen on the mountain sides. The principal varieties of grapes here grown are the Red Madeira, Shiraz, and Riesling.
O. B. FLAT, a postal village, 290 miles SE. of Adelaide, in the county of Grey, electorate of Victoria, and police district of Mount Gambier. Agricultural district, chief produce being potatoes and wheat. Wattle bark is also largely exported. The somewhat peculiar name of this locality is derived from a cow, which came overland with the first mob of cattle. It was branded O. B and died here.
OOMBERATANA, a postal station in the county and electoral district of Flinders, about 449 miles N. of Adelaide. There are sheep stations and surrounding mines. The Yudanamutana mine is 15 miles distant NE. The Daly and Stanley mines are 25 miles distant. All the neighbourhood abounds in copper.
OVERLAND CORNER, a postal town and telegraph station on the river Murray, in the county of Hamley, central police district and electoral district of Victoria, 135 miles N. of Adelaide. It is on the main road route from Adelaide to New South Wales, and all travelling stock from New South Wales to Adelaide must pass here. Principally a grazing district.
PALMER, a small but growing township in the county of Sturt, electoral district of Gumeracha, and police district of Palmer, 40 miles NE. of Adelaide, and 10 miles from the river Murray. It is a mineral, agricultural, and pastoral district.
PARROTS HILL, a small post-office in the county of Light, electoral district of Barossa, and police district of Angaston. It is in the centre of an agricultural district and is 57 miles N. of Adelaide.
PEKINA, a postal town, in the county of Dalhousie, and electoral district of Flinders, situated on a creek of the same name, 177 miles due N. of Adelaide. Much land north of the town is for agricultural purposes. Copper has been found in various parts.
PENOLA, a township, money-order, and telegraph office, on the old overland route to Melbourne, from which it is distant 299 miles. It lies to the SE. of Adelaide, at a distance of 254 miles, and is only 9 miles from the frontier line. Penola is the centre of a large pastoral district, but of late years agricultural pursuits have obtained a secondary position. The soil and climate are suited for the growth of the vine and other fruits.
POINT MACLEAY, a postal town near Lake Alexandrina, in the county of Russell, and electoral district of Albert, 63 miles SE. of Adelaide. Pastoral and agricultural district. The Aborignes’ Friends Association Mission Station, called Reid Town, is situated at this place.
POINT STURT, a small postal township in the county of Hindmarsh, and electoral district of Mount Barker, 53 miles SE. of Adelaide, on the shores of Lake Alexandrina. The district, which is a small one, is of a farming and grazing character. The nearest township is Milang, 7 miles distant, and 7 miles nearer Adelaide.
PORT ADELAIDE, a seaport town in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Port Adelaide. It is, as its name implies, the Port of the City of Adelaide. It is situated on an estuary of the Gulf St. Vincent, is about 9 miles from mouth of creek being the principal port of the Province of S. Australia. Inner and outer bars of limestone rock partially obstruct the entrance to the harbour. A sandy tongue of land about two miles wide separates Port Adelaide from the shore of the Gulf, on it are situated numerous small townships, the principal of which are Glanville, Le Fevres Peninsula, and Semaphore. Suburban townships are Albert Town, Queenstown, Portland Estate, Yatala Rosewater, Kingston-on-the-Hill.
PORT AUGUSTA, the northernmost port in South Australia, is a municipality at the head of Spencer’s Gulf, 240 miles NW. of Adelaide. Public buildings are custom-house, courthouse, and police quarters, telegraph station, post-office, and casualty hospital. The gaol is situated 3 miles E. of the township. The direct exports from Port Augusta, consisting of wool, copper, copper ore, hides, and skins, and tallow, are considerable. Every year adds to the number of copper mines opened.
PORT ELLIOTT, a sea-side town, money order and telegraph office, on the shores of Encounter Bay, 59 miles S. of Adelaide. The country around Port Elliott is almost completely taken up for wheat growing and vines. This town and Port victor are favourite resorts during the summer months.
PORT LINCOLN, a seaport town and money order office, 210 miles W. of Adelaide. The district is mainly occupied by steep stations.
PORT MACDONNELL is the principal trading port of the south east districts and lies 304 miles distant in a south easterly direction from Adelaide.
PORT PIRIE is a money-order office and telegraph station, 154 miles N. of Adelaide. A railway is now in course of construction from here to Gladstone.
PORT VICTOR, a seaport, money-order, and telegraph office, on the shores of Victor Harbour, a small bight of Encounter Bay, 64 miles S. of Adelaide. The district is an agricultural one. A jetty, a mile in length, along which is an iron tramway, connects the mainland with Granite Island, from which a causeway projects into deep water for the accommodation of large wool and other ships. A tramway connects this seaport with Goolwa, the river Murray port. The harbour is somewhat exposed to the Southern sea, but it is proposed to erect a breakwater which would render it at once safe and commodious.
PORT WAKEFIELD, a postal, telegraph, savings’ bank, and money-order township, on the shores of St. Vincent’s Gulf, 60 miles N. of Adelaide. It is in the electorate of Wooroora, and police district of Gawler. For the accommodation of shipping there are five wharves. The nearest new townships are Balaklava 15 miles distant, and Hoyleton, 30 miles distant. The surrounding country is flat, and dry, fair agricultural, but better grazing land.
PROSPECT VILLAGE is about 2 miles N. of Adelaide, separated from North Adelaide by the North Park lands. It is in the county of Adelaide, under the jurisdiction of the district council of Prospect, and the electoral district of West Torrens. It is mostly a place of residence for persons engaged in business in the city. The principal industry carried on in the village is that of limeburning. The situation is elevated, and an extensive view of the plains with the Gulf beyond is obtained from any part of the village. Hay and wheat crops thrive well around the village.
RAPID BAY. See Second Valley
RANDALLSEA. See Second Valley.
REDRUTH, a postal town on the Burra creek, in the county, police and electoral district of Burra, 101 miles NNE. of Adelaide. The Burra Burra mine lies half a mile SW. from here, and three-quarters of a mile NW. from Kooringa. Pastoral, mining, and agricultural district.
REEVES PLAINS, a postal centre in the electoral district of Yatala, 38 miles N. of Adelaide. The surrounding country is principally flat plain surfaced with scrub.
REYNELLA is situated on the Pandlotinga creek, 13.5 miles S. of Adelaide, and 2 miles distant from Morphett Vale. The district is both pastoral and agricultural. Large quantities of wheat are raised every year and grapes. A considerable tract of country is laid out as vineyards.
RIVERTON, a township, money-order office, and telegraph and railway station on the Gilbert river, 62 miles N. of Adelaide. Much wheat is grown in the district, which is almost altogether an agricultural one. Indications of the precious metals have been found.
ROBE TOWN is a seaport on the south side of Guichen Bay, about 195 miles SE. of Adelaide. Robe enjoys a salubrious climate, the coast scenery is picturesque, and the existence of a number of lakes in the neighbourhood gives a special character to the place. The bay is capacious, and has an excellent bottom, with good anchorage varying from five fathoms. It is a money-order office.
ROCHESTER, a small post town in the county and electoral district of Stanley 103 miles N. by W. of Adelaide. The Magpie creek flows within a mile of the township. The Broughton river is about 10 miles distant. Stanley is both the county and electoral district. The district is both pastoral and agricultural.
ROSENTHAL, a small township, mostly occupied by Germans, on the Gawler (North Para) river, 34 miles NNE. of Adelaide. It is in the county of Adelaide and electorate of Barossa. The district is a wheat-growing one, with a few vineyards, and is of a hilly character.
ROSEWORTHY, a postal township, 30 miles N. of Adelaide, in the county of Gawler, and electoral district of Light, near the Para river. District is a farming one.
ROWLAND’S FLAT, a postal village on the North Para river, in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Barossa, 38 miles NE. of Adelaide. The village is near the foot of the Barossa range, and is environed by vineyards, whence is derived the wine that has obtained a reputation throughout the colony.
SADDLEWORTH, a township and railway station on the Gilbert river, 67 miles N. of Adelaide. It is a money-order office and telegraph station. The surrounding country is principally cultivated for wheat, and much land is under cultivation.
SALISBURY, a considerable township, 12 miles NE. of Adelaide, in a parallel line with the Great Main North road, in the district of Yatala North, and 3.5 miles W. of the Little Para river. The township has a post-office, money order office, and telegraph station, and is the nominating and principal polling place for the district of Yatala.
SANDERGROVE, a postal centre in the county of Hindmarsh, electoral district of Strathalbyn, 44 miles E. of Adelaide. Farming and grazing country.
SANDY CREEK, a postal centre in the county of Barossa, and electoral district of Barossa West, 30 miles N. of Adelaide, between Gawler and Lyndoch valley. Agricultural district.
SECOND VALLEY or Rapid Bay, a postal centre and money-order office, in the county of Hindmarsh, electorate of Encounter Bay and police district of Yankalilla, 57 miles S. by W. of Adelaide, on the Paramanacoona creek. The district takes in Randallsea and Finnis’s Vale. It is a mining, farming, and grazing district. Two mines are at work.
SELLICK’S HILL is situated about 1.5 miles E. of Aldinga Bay, 32 miles S. of Adelaide. The country is principally taken up for wheat growing, particularly the plains.
SEVEN HILL, a post town in the county and electoral district of Stanley, police district of Clare, 85 miles N. of Adelaide. The river Tiber is the nearest water. About three-quarters of a mile distant is the St. Aloysius College, under the superintendence of the Jesuit Fathers. The stone used is obtained from a quarry in the neighbourhood. The district around Seven Hill is of an agricultural character.
SHE OAK, a township, 36 miles N. of Adelaide. Roseworthy is 5 miles distant. Freeling is about the same distance. The district is one of the largest wheat-growing localities in South Australia.
SLIDING ROCK is a money-order office, about 378 miles N. of Adelaide. A very remarkable copper mine is worked in the neighbourhood.
SMITHFIELD, a township telegraph office and railway station, on the north bank of Smith’s creek, 18 miles N. of Adelaide. Wheat is largely grown in the district.
SOUTH PETHERTON, a postal township, 35 miles ENE of Adelaide, in the county of Sturt, electorate of Gumeracha and police district of Mount Pleasant. The district, while good for stock raising and farming purposes, is also a mining one with quartz and copper ore.
STEELTON is a is a postal village 68 miles N. of Adelaide in the county of Burra, district of Light. Principally German.
STIRLING NORTH, a postal town in the county of Frome and electoral district of Flinders, 234 miles N. of Adelaide. And 5 miles E. of Port Augusta. The overland telegraph from Port Darwin joins the other line to Adelaide at this point. About five wool ships load here yearly direct for London. There are numerous rich copper mines at some distance from the township. A large breadth of land, north, south, and east of Stirling, would bear good crops in wet seasons, but the rains are very uncertain. Saltia creek is the nearest water, but it is frequently dry.
STOCKPORT, a township, telegraph and money order office, 46 miles N. of Adelaide, on the Gilbert river.
STRATHALBYN, a municipal township, money-order and telegraph office, in the electorate of Mount Barker, 35 miles SE. of Adelaide, on the main road to Milang and Wellington, and overland to Victoria. It is one of the most picturesque towns in South Australia, the river Angas flowing through it. The district is agricultural principally for wheat and has also deposits of gold and copper.
STREAKY BAY (Flinders Town), a post town on the seacoast, in the electoral district of Port Lincoln, 406 miles NW. of Adelaide. The township is on the shores of a pleasant land-locked bay. Fine oysters are to be got here. Pastoral district.
STURT, a post-office in the electorate of the same name, county of Adelaide, and police district of Brighton, 8 miles from Adelaide, of which it may be considered a suburb. Agricultural district.
ST. JOHN’S, a postal township, 53 miles N. of Adelaide, situated in the county and electoral district of Light. The district is of a farming and agricultural character, but farming is principally followed.
TALISKER, a village and money-order office 66 miles S. of Adelaide. In the vicinity are silver and lead mines which are now closed. Cape Jervis is 68 miles S. of Adelaide. It is an old farming district.
TANUNDA is situated on the North Para river, 42 miles N. of Adelaide. It is a telegraph, savings’ bank, and money-order office and is the chief polling place for the electoral district of Barossa. Predominantly German. The neighbouring townships, north and east are Nuriootpa, Angaston, and Truro. Wheat and grapes are principally grown in the district, and large quantities of wine are made in the neighbourhood of the township.
TARLEE, a post and telegraph town in the county of Light, and polling place in the electoral district of Wooroora, 54 miles (by rail) N. of Adelaide. District, agricultural.
TARPEENA is situated in the vicinity of Lakes Edward and Leak, 272 miles SE. of Adelaide. There is some agricultural land in the district, but it is mainly taken up for grazing purposes.
TEA TREE GULLY, or Steventon, a postal station on the creek of the same name in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Gumeracha, 12 miles NE. of Adelaide. The vicinity abounds in pipe-clay for bricks or earthenware, and freestone for building purposes. The other products of the locality are iron ore, wines, dried fruits, honey, wax, bark, and gums.
TEMPLERS, a postal and money-order village, 34 miles N. of Adelaide, situated in the centre of a wheat-growing district.
THEBARTON, a post town in the county of Adelaide and electorate of West Torrens, suburban to the city.
TORRENS VALE, or Dairy Flat, otherwise Parkfield, is situated on Salt Creek, about 4 miles from Yankililla, in the county of Hindmarsh, electorate of Encounter Bay, and police district of Yankalilla, 51 miles S. of Adelaide. Torrens Vale is described as a “small damp valley.” Close to the vale there is a picturesque waterfall, but the ascent thereto is very difficult.
TRURO is situated on the White Hut creek, 5 miles N. of Stockwell, and 57 miles NE. of Adelaide. It is a telegraph and money-order office. The Wheal Barton copper mine is in the vicinity of the town. Sheep stations prevail in the district and there is also a good breadth of land taken up for wheat and the grape vine.
TUMBY BAY is a small agricultural and farming place on the coast in the Hundred of Huchison, county of Flinders. There is a small jetty in the bay which is well sheltered from N., W., and S., exposed only from E., SE. and NE.
TUNKILLO. See South Petherton.
TWO WELLS, a rapidly increasing township, telegraph, and money-order office, 24 miles N. of Adelaide, and 6 miles distant from Port Gawler, one of the principal places for snipping wheat. It is in the county of Gawler and electorate of Yatala. It is an agricultural and pastoral district and is very flat.
UNDERDALE, a postal village, in the county of Adelaide, and the West Torrens electoral district, on the Torrens river, 2.5 miles due W. from Adelaide. A large boiling-down establishment is here.
UNLEY, a municipality, suburban to Adelaide, two miles distant.
VICTOR PORT. See Port Victor.
VIRGINIA is situated on the main road from Adelaide to Gawler, about 18 miles NW. of Adelaide. Much laud in the vicinity is taken up for agricultural purposes, there are also a few sheep and cattle stations.
WALLAROO, the seaport town of the copper mining district of that name, near the shores of Spencer’s Gulf, about 91 miles NW. of Adelaide. The famous Wallaroo mines were discovered in 1860. Smelting is carried on, on a very extensive scale, at Wallaroo Bay. There are a telegraph and money-order office in the town.
WASLEY’S, a postal, telegraph village in the county of Gawler, Yatala electoral district, and Gawler Town police district, situated near the river Light, 36 miles N. of Adelaide. It is a flourishing agricultural district, producing good crops of the cereals. Much firewood is sent from here.
WATERLOO, a postal township, at the head of the river Light, 74 miles N. of Adelaide. It is in the county of Light, and electoral district of Burra. It is about 5 miles to the eastward of the Manoora station of the Northern Extension Railway, and is the centre of an agricultural district, where the growth of corn is the principal support of the inhabitants.
WATER VALE, a township, money-order and telegraph office, on the Water Vale creek, 81 miles N. of Adelaide.
WEANER’S FLAT, a postal and money-order township, 187 miles N. of Adelaide.
WELLINGTON, a township, telegraph, and money-order office, in the county of Russell, and electoral district of Albert, situated on the river Murray 69 miles SE. of Adelaide. The surrounding country is taken up for grazing purposes.
WILLIAMSTOWN is situated on the Victoria Creek, 38 miles N. of Adelaide. It is a money-order office. There are several large sheep stations in the district, wheat also is extensively grown. Copper is found in many parts, but not in sufficient quantities to pay for working at present. The Barossa and Humbug Scrub gold diggings are within 3 miles.
WILLUNGA, a postal, telegraph, and money order township, 30 miles S. from Adelaide. Large quantities of fine slate are shipped from here, the produce of the southern quarries. This trade is extensive and extending, supplying the home demand, and also to a considerable extent the Melbourne market. The district is chiefly of a farming character. The township itself is prettily situated on a gentle rise embowered in trees, commanding a fine gulf view on the high road to the lakes.
WISTOW, a postal and money-order village, 25 miles E. of Adelaide, in the county of Hindmarsh, and electoral district of Mount Barker, near Hall’s creek. The district is an agricultural and pastoral one.
WOODCHESTER, a post town and money order office in the county of Hindmarsh, electorate of Mount Barker, and police district of Strathalbyn, about 43 miles SE. of Adelaide. The district is of a farming character.
WOODSIDE, a small township, telegraph, and money-order office in the county of Adelaide, and electoral district of Onkaparinga, situated on the Onkaparinga river, 23 miles E. of Adelaide. The district is principally an agricultural one. Gold has been found in the neighbouring ranges.
YANKALILLA is a postal township and money-order office, situated on the Bungala river, 2 miles from the sea, and 46 miles S. of Adelaide. The district is an agricultural one, and large quantities of wheat and other cereals are yearly raised.
YUDANAMUTANA, a copper-mining township on the creek of the same name, 460 miles NW. of Adelaide. The population depended upon the number of people employed at the mine, which is now closed. It has been intermittently worked, and at various times a large quantity of ore has been raised. A considerable number of shares were held in the London market, their purchase was mainly influenced by a telegram giving most favourable reports of the mine – this message was found to be a forgery, and its authorship has never been traced.
Source: The Australian handbook and almanac and shippers’ and importers’ directory. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2902005236
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