Discovering Berri-Barmera
The Berri Barmera Council covers 8 towns in the Riverland region:
Berri
Barmera
Glossop
Monash
Cobdogla
Loveday
Winkie
Overland Corner
Each town is truly unique and there’s plenty to discover about all of them.
Berri
The town’s name is derived from the aboriginal word for ‘bend in the river’ and was proclaimed in 1911. Berri features a gorgeous riverfront with plenty of area for picnics or playing sport and also includes floating wharf platforms, lookouts, historic monuments and an indigenous bridge mural. If you get a bit peckish, Berri plays host to local produce outlet Berri Fruit Juices. For something more tantalising you can’t miss the award-winning Mallee Fowl Restaurant, Big River Tavern, the Berri Resort Hotel’s bistro offering pub classics along with popular Asian and Italian dishes and the new Cragg’s Creek Cafe offering alfresco informal dining on the riverfront decking.There is also a wide range of shops within the town centre and nearby Riverland Central Plaza if you get an urge for a bit of retail therapy!
Barmera
Barmera is situated on the shore’s of Lake Bonney, a large feshwater lake fed from the Murray River via Chambers Creek wetlands. During summer, there is action aplenty with weekly boat races being held on the Lake and boating enthusiasts enjoying our perfect summer days. The main street of Barmera, one of the best examples of Art Deco design in Australia, has a panoramic view and boasts a range of specialty shops, the Barmera Hotel Motel and the historic Bonney Theatre. Barmera is renown for country music with a ‘Hall of Fame’ Museum and the annual Country Music Festival held every June. You’ll always find something to see and do.
Glossop
This town, only 5 minutes from Berri was named after Vice Admiral Glossop, commander of the HMAS during World War 1. Glossop, although a small town, is the home of Berri Estates, Australia’s largest winery and distillery.
Monash
Monash was originally known as ‘Lone Gum’ with reference to the solitary red river gum that still grows amongst the vines so far from the Murray River. This small town is probably best known for its fabulous adventure park. Adults and children alike flock to the Monash Adventure Park for a day of fun. The park is open daily and admission is free.
Cobdogla
The Cobdogla Station once covered over 200 miles of river frontage and the former homestead was located on the site of the current caravan park. The station raised pure bred horses which were used by the South Australian Police Force, the British Army in India and by the famous Australian explorer John McDouall Stuart. Today, Cobdogla is better known for its ‘Irrigation and Steam Museum’ which boasts the impressive Humphrey Pump, the only working model of its kind in the world.
Loveday
Another small Riverland town, Loveday was proclaimed in 1940 and was the site of one of Australia’s largest internment camps during World War 2. The camp was built to house German, Italian and Japanese internees and prisoners of war. At its peak, the camp held 5380 as well as over 1500 Australian Military Personnel. The camps supplied a variety of products including morphine, which was made for the forces from the harvested opium poppies grown in the camp grounds.
Winkie
This settlement was named ‘Winki Winki’ after the aboriginal word for ‘the flat’ which covered the floodplain below the Winkie Slopes. Surrounded by Katarapko National Park with its sandhills, floodplains and backwater creeks, the area is ideal for fishing, yabbying, picknicking, birdwatching, bushwalking and camping.
Overland Corner
This area is full of history covering indigenous and European occupation. The hotel was built in 1859 and is the oldest surviving building in the Riverland. It was frequented by drovers, explorers, travellers and even bushrangers. Now the hotel is licensed and provides meals and accommodation. A historical walking trail starting at the hotel covers the history of indigenous groups, European settlement and the Murray River. The limestone cliffs at Herons Bend are riddled wth ancient marine life and the elusive Tasmanian Tiger is reputed to roam the area!
For more information contact the Berri or Barmera Visitor Information Centre’s
The Barmera Travel and Visitor Information Centre is the perfect place to visit if you need to know everything that’s happening in Barmera and surrounding areas. Volunteer guides will give you advice on all the ’must see’ attractions and can even let you in on some of the history of the area. Centrally located on Barwell Avenue, you’ll soon be on your way to discovering the beauty of this magical area. The Travel and Visitor Information Centre is community run and is open from 9am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday, Saturdays from 9am to 12noon and Sundays from 10am to 1pm.
Barwell Avenue BARMERA SA 5345
Phone: (08) 8588 2289
Email: info@barmeratourism.com.au
www.barmeratourism.com.au
Berri Visitor and Information Centre
Located right on the riverfront along Riverview Drive, the Berri Visitor Information Centre has everything you need to make your holiday absolutely perfect. Our volunteer staff will let you in on all the secrets of the area and a wide range of travel brochures and maps will help you plan a great stay! You’ll also find a huge variety of souvenirs so you can show all your friends back home what a truly beautiful place you’ve visited. The Visitor Information Centre is Council run and is open from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on weekends and public holidays.
Riverview Drive BERRI SA 5343
Phone:(08) 8582 5511
Email: bbtour@internode.net.au