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The Murraylands is a geographical region in South Australia; generally, the lower part of the Murray River basin, in South-Eastern South Australia. The area stretches from Blanchetown; roughly 130 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, right down to Wellington, which is situated at the beginning of Lake Alexandrina.
Contents
- Economy
- Recreation
- 24 Hour Australian International Pedal Prix
- All Steamed Up Engine Blacksmith and Classic Boat Festival
- Tourism
- Governance
- Education
- Conservation
- Radio
- Television
- References
The major towns in this region include; Morgan, Truro, Swan Reach, Mannum, Callington, Tailem Bend, Mannum, Murray Bridge, Meningie, Coonaplyn, Tintinara, Karoonda, Lamaroo and Pinnaroo.
Murray Bridge has the largest population base, with approximately 19,724 reported in the 2011 Census.
The area stretches from Blanchetown; roughly 130 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, right down to Wellington, which is situated at the beginning of Lake Alexandrina.
The region focuses mainly on the main towns of Murray Bridge and Mannum and has a population of around 65,000.
In recent years, the Murraylands region has been plagued by an extensive drought, which has affected business and the economy of the region.
The region has a Mediterranean-style climate, with hot dry summers and mild winters. The climate is cooler than Adelaide and the annual rainfall is higher than the rest of the state, ranging between 450mm at Keith to 800mm around Mount Bun. As you go north, the land becomes semi-arid and has desert like conditions. The Murraylands region has a summer average temperature of 28oC and 15oC in winter.
Economy
The Murraylands economy is strongly reliant upon primary production, which accounts for 34% of the Gross regional product. Regional industries which support the region include irrigated horticulture, dry-land farming, intensive animal production and tourism.
Known for its clean, green and environmentally sustainable produce, the region has a strong focus on value-added food production with a number of large manufacturers, packers, processors, wholesalers and retailers located in the region.
Recreation
The Murraylands region is defined by the Murray River. Murray Bridge is home to one of South Australia’s oldest Rowing Clubs, which was founded in 1909. The Murray Bridge Rowing Club was where Australian world champion and Olympic medal winner, James McRae (born 27 June 1987) began his rowing career. The region has a number of reserves, parks, walking trails and sport facilities.
24 Hour Australian International Pedal Prix
Established in 1985, the Australian International Pedal Prix has been held in Murray Bridge for 31 years (in 2016) and includes the 24 hour event, which was added to the program in 1996. Designed to test participants teamwork, fitness, health and enterprise in addition to their engineering and technological skills, the event is regarded as the premier HPV endurance race in Australia. The race circuit is 2.06 km and skirts the boundary of Sturt Reserve and the Murray River, attracting some 200 teams annually to compete for the title.
All Steamed Up Engine, Blacksmith and Classic Boat Festival
Held in Mannum in November each year, the All Steamed Up Engine, Blacksmith and Classic Boat Festival highlights how the Murray River, steam engines, blacksmiths and wooden boats were key to the developing economy in South Australia.
Tourism
Murray River, Lakes and Coorong is the Murrayland’s peak tourism body, and is responsible for attracting visitors to the region, with this industry worth around $112 million annually.
Governance
The Murraylands is serviced by five local government councils; Coorong District Council, District Council of Karoonda East Murray, Mid Murray Council, Rural City of Murray Bridge and Southern Mallee District Council.
Education
Pre-school
Primary Level
Senior Schooling
There are eight high schools across the Murraylands region:
· Swan Reach Area School
· Mannum Community College
· Murray Bridge High School
· Unity College, Murray Bridge
· Tyndale Christian School, Murray Bridge
· St Joseph’s School, Murray Bridge
· Meningie Area School
· Lameroo Regional Community School
Further Education
TAFE SA has a campus located in Murray Bridge.
Conservation
The people of the Murraylands have a strong reliance upon and respect for the natural environment in which they live.
There region has a number of National Parks and conservation areas where bush walking, sightseeing, bird watching, camping, caravanning, 4-wheel driving and orienteering activities are welcome. National Parks include the Ngaut Ngaut Conservation park, Ngarkat Conservation Park and the Coorong National Park.
The Nguat Nguat National Park is located 1 hour and 45 minutes from Adelaide, near the town of Nildottie. These traditional lands of the Nganguraku people are culturally significant and are only accessible with a guided tour.
Ngarkat Conservation Park located 200 km (2.5 hours drive) from Adelaide and has number of bush tracks available to 4 wheel vehicles. Tracks available include the Border Track, Desert Loop and the Ngarkat track and each take in the scenery of the dense mallee scrub and sand dunes. Historically, these tracks were first established by explorer, Edward White, who was the surcveyor first responsible for marking the boundary between South Australia and Victoria.
The Coorong National Park is based on the South Australian coast and covers over 130 km of saltwater lagoons and wetlands scenery, which is home to many species of birds including native ducks and swans, pelicans, and a number of migratory birds.