Barmera
Attractive service town on the shores of Lake Bonney
Located 221 km north east of Adelaide and 29 metres above sea level on the shores of Lake Bonney, Barmera is a substantial service centre for the surrounding citrus, vineyard and orchard area.
No one knows exactly where the word 'barmera' comes from. Some sources claim it is an Aboriginal word for 'water place' or 'land dwellers' while other sources insist it comes from Barmeedjie, the name of a tribal group of Aborigines who lived on the northern banks of the Murray River before European settlement.
Lake Bonney, which is really the centre of Barmera, was first sighted by Europeans in 1838 when Charles Bonney (after whom the lake is named) and Joseph Hawdon drove cattle along the banks of the Murray River. They reached Lake Bonney on 12 March, 1838 and Hawdon recorded in his journal: 'At sunset we opened on plains, sprinkled with tufts of grass. I discovered a fine lake of fresh water, about 30 miles in circumference, and on its margin we encamped ... The Blacks were encamped further along the lake and from the noise they made we know they must have noticed our arrival.'
The first settlement in the area grew up around the Overland Corner Hotel (built 1859) which was a popular haunt for drovers moving through the area. As early as 1850 there were so many drovers passing through the area that a small police station was established to control the problems which were flaring between the drovers and the Aborigines. By 1867 the area was dominated by the Cobdogla run.
In the late 19th century, with the success of fruit growing at Renmark and Mildura, people began to float the idea that the area around Barmera could be turned into a rich orchard and vineyard. By 1911 surveys had been carried out to see if the area between Cobdogla and Berri could be irrigated. It was on the basis of this survey that an irrigation system was established in 1921 leading to the town being gazetted and an influx of soldier settlers who had been promised properly irrigated land. The railway was opened in 1928 and the following year Barmera was declared a town.
A sailing regatta is held at Easter on Lake Bonney.
Things to see:
Napper's Old Accommodation Hotel/House
Now a ruin, Nappers Old Accommodation is located at the northern end of Lake Bonney. It was built around 1863 by William Napper and, at the time, was known as the Lake Bonney Hotel. It is now nothing more than a ruins. During its heyday the house/hotel was a vital place for supplies and Napper irrigated his land thus probably becoming the first person to grow crops by irrigation along the Murray River.
Cobdogla Irrigation & Steam Museum
Located 5 km west of Barmera this unusual museum contains the world's only working Humphrey Pump. These gas-driven pumps were used for the early irrigation of the area. They actually operated like a water cannon with the water being propelled by an explosion of gas. The pump is now part of the State's Heritage. For opening and visiting details contact (08) 8588 2289.
Rocky's Country Music Hall of Fame
Located in Barwell Avenue this is a celebration of Australian country music. It is part of the overall plan to turn Barmera into the Tamworth of South Australia. There is also a country music festival in the town every June.
The Donald Campbell Obelisk
Located on Queen Elizabeth Drive this Obelisk records the fact that the famous English speedster, Donald Campbell, back in 1964 attempted to break the world water speed record on Lake Bonney. It also admits that he was unsuccessful. He reached 347.5 km/h but the lake was too small and the waves created by the speeding vehicle were too dangerous.
The Overland Corner Hotel
Located at Barmera West, this historic hotel was built in 1859 on a site - 'Overland Corner' - which had become a popular resting place for drovers moving huge numbers of sheep across to South Australia from New South Wales. It was commissioned by John Chambers, a successful pastoralist and built by William, Henry and George Brand. Red gum, which has been cut into tiles, has been used as the flooring in the bar. It was purchased by the National Trust in 1965 and consequently the building which can¹t be altered. Its importance lies largely in the fact that it is the first stone building in this area of Australia.
Not surprisingly the hotel has been the site of a number of adventures and mishaps. It is said that Captain Moonlite, a well known bushranger, rode his horse into the bar. In the early 20th century it was the local mail receival point and in the 1920s German settlers used to use it for dances
There are historic graves in the area and there are also remnants of an old copper mine. The pub was actually flooded in the 1950s and there is a large levee bank protecting it from the Murray¹s flood.
There is a walking trail which starts from the old Hotel. Brochures can be obtained from the bar.
Bonneyview Wines
Located on the Sturt Highway at Barmera is Bonneyview Wines which is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. daily, tel: (08) 8588 2279.
Tourist Information
Barmera Tourist Information Centre
Barwell Ave
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 2289
Facsimile: (08) 8588 2777
Motels
Barmera Country Club Motel
Hawdon St P.O. Box 666
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 2888
Rating: ***
The Lake Resort Motel
Lakeside Dve
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 2555
Rating: ***
Hotels
Barmera Hotel Motor Inn
Barwell Ave
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 2111
Rating: *
Historic Overland Corner Hotel
Old Coach Rd
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 7021
Apartments
Loch Luna Lodge Holiday Apartments
Morgan Rd P.O. Box 486
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 7210
Rating: **
Caravan Parks
Greenwood Park Caravan Park
Queen Elizabeth Dve P.O. Box 611
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 7070
Facsimile: (08) 8588 7137
Rating: **
Lake Bonney Caravan Reserve
Lakeside Dve
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 2234
Facsimile: (08) 8588 1974
Rating: ***1/2
Pelican Point Nudist Resort
49 Morgan Rd
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 7366
Restaurants
Barmera Country Club Motel
Hawdon St
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 2888
Barmera Hotel Motor Inn
Barwell Ave
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 2111
Barmera Pagoda Chinese Restaurant
Barwell Ave
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 3167
Sunset Boulevard Restaurant
Elizabeth Dve
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 2669
The Lake Resort
Lakeside Dve
Barmera SA 5354
Telephone: (08) 8588 2555
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