Strathalbyn

Strathalbyn (including Langhorne Creek)
Delightful and attractive town on the River Angas.
Located only 57 km south of Adelaide, Strathalbyn is one of the most attractive towns in South Australia. It is not surprising that it is a classified Heritage Town. Its appeal lies primarily in the way the centre of the town runs along the Angas River and is characterised by a large area of parkland, known as the Soldiers Memorial Gardens, which is ideal for walking and picnics. A feature of the park is the delightful Childrens Bridge which was completed in 1919.

Prior to European settlement the area around Strathalbyn was part of the larger Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal world. The Angas River district, at the southern end of the Mount Lofty Ranges, was settled in the late 1830s when Dr John Rankine from Ayrshire, one of a 105 Scottish immigrants who had arrived at Holdfast Bay near Adelaide, took up land which he called 'Fairfield'. Two years later William Rankine (Dr Rankine's brother) and Colonel James Dawson took up land in the district. This land would eventually become the site of the township.

The town, for a while called Strath Albyn comes from two Gaelic words - 'strath' meaning 'broad valley' and 'Albion' meaning 'hilly land'. Some sources suggest that 'Albion', which was also a term used to describe Great Britain, happened, rather unromantically, to be the name of a steel mill which Dr Rankine had a large shareholding in.

It is a compliment to the town's founders that they decided, once the town site had been chosen, to ensure that the banks of the river remain parkland thus creating the town's delightful centre.

The Corporation of Strathalbyn was founded in 1868. The following year a tramway was constructed between Goolwa and Strathalbyn. It was at the tramway terminus that the Terminus Hotel was built to provide refreshments for passengers. A railway from Adelaide arrived in 1884 and by 1889 the town had its own cheese factory.

Today Strathalbyn, apart from enjoying the benefits of tourism, is a rural service centre in an area dominated by mixed farming which ranges from vineyards at Langhorne Creek to cereal crops, cattle, sheep, orchards and alpacas.

Things to see:

Strathalbyn Old Court House National Trust Museum
Located at 1 Rankine Street and housed in the old police station (1858) and court house (1867) the Old Court House Museum has extensive displays of historic photographs, clothing, domestic ware and the Police Station has a sitting room, two bedrooms and a kitchen all furnished in equipment from the Victorian era. Outside there is a stable, shed and three cells and a range of agricultural equipment. It is open Sat, Sun and public holidays 2.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m. For more details (08) 8536 2478.

Historic Walk
Strathalbyn has over 30 buildings of historic interest. There are brochures which provide maps and detailed information for the visitor. Of particular interest are the Terminus Hotel (licensed as the Strathalbyn Hotel by Donald Gollan in 1840) which is the town's first building and is located on Franklin Street - it was the scene of a dinner to honour Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh in 1869; Glenbarr which was built by William Rankine in 1842 and is now the centre of Scottish activity in the district - it is on the road out of town to Paris Creek; St Andrews Uniting Church on the banks of the river which was originally the Presbyterian Church serving the local Scottish community. It was commenced as a smaller building in 1844 and the tower was specially constructed to hold a bell which was donated by a grateful member of the congregation; the shop at 20 High Street which dates from 1854; the Robin Hood Hotel on the corner of Grey and High Streets which was first opened in 1855; Argus House, the one time home of the local paper and South Australia's first rural newspaper, the Southern Argus, which is located on Commercial Road; London House in the High Street which was built by Thomas Stephens in 1867; the Institute and Town Hall in the High Street which was built in 1874; Albyn Terrace which was used for scenes in the movie Picnic at Hanging Rock.