Population 2,581 (2006 census) Postcode(s) 5268 Postal code 5268 Federal division Division of Barker | Established 1852 State electorate(s) MacKillop Local time Tuesday 12:07 PM | |
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Location 272 km (169 mi) SE of Adelaide
457 km (284 mi) NW of Melbourne LGA(s) Tatiara District Council Weather 28°C, Wind E at 13 km/h, 31% Humidity | ||
Bordertown is a small South Australian town near the Victorian border. It is where the Dukes Highway and the railway line, the two main routes between Adelaide and Melbourne, cross Tatiara Creek.
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Map of Bordertown SA 5268, Australia
Bordertown is the commercial and administrative centre of the Tatiara District Council. Tatiara is the local Aboriginal word for "Good Country". Bordertown was established in 1852 when a direct route across the 90-mile desert was being planned for gold escorts from the Victorian goldfields to Adelaide. Police Inspector Alexander Tolmer was instructed to create a town as close as practical to the border. Tolmer was upset when the town was not named after him, but that was made up for by naming several sites around Bordertown after him, such as Tolmer Park and Tolmer Takeaway. Bordertown is also the birthplace of former Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke.
Governance
Bordertown is the seat of the Tatiara District Council. It is in the state electoral district of MacKillop and the federal Division of Barker. It is the birthplace of former Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke.
Landmarks
Bordertown is home to the historic Clayton Farm Heritage Museum. It is also famous for its white Kangaroos which have been bred for zoos and animal shelters around Australia. The lightning clock on the main street marks the site of the first electricity source.
Heritage listings
Bordertown has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
Economy
The district's economy is based primarily on agriculture, with cereal crops and livestock farming. The largest single employer is the JBS meatworks abbatoir which processes up to 8000 animals per day and employs around 470 people. Almost two-thirds of the employees are migrants to Australia, including refugees and skilled migrants on 457 visas, from a total of at least 23 different home culture groups.
Transport
Bordertown is on the main routes by road and rail between Adelaide and Melbourne. There are several bus services daily towards each of Adelaide, Melbourne, and Mount Gambier. The Overland train stops twice a week each way. Most rail traffic is freight passing through, although the local grain silos are also served by rail. In 2012, the crossing loop at Bordertown railway station was lengthened to 1500m.