Renmark, South Australia

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Location of Renmark in South Australia (red)

Renmark is a town in South Australia's rural Riverland area. Renmark ([34°10′S 140°44′E]) is located 254 km northeast of Adelaide, on the banks of the Murray River. The Sturt Highway between Adelaide and Sydney runs through the town; Renmark is the last major town encountered in South Australia when driving this route. It is 20m above sea level. As of 2000, the population of Renmark (combined with the neighbouring settlement of Lyrup) is 8,054. It is the oldest settlement on the Murray River.

Contents

1 History
2 Climate and Geography
3 The Town Today
4 Governance
5 See also
6 External Links and References

History

Renmark Hotel was the first community-owned hotel in the British Empire

The name Renmark refers to an Aboriginal word meaning "Red Mud" - the original inhabitants of the area were the Naralte tribe.

Captain Charles Sturt was the first European to pass though the area in January 1830, as he navigated the length of the Murray from the Great Dividing Range, eventually reaching Lake Alexandrina.

A settlement began to grow in 1887, when the Renmark Irrigation Settlement was established by George and William Chaffey, who created a system of open drains using water from the Murray, to allow orchards to be planted in the area. By pumping water onto the hot red sand they transformed it into a fruit growing area similar to California. Renmark was proclaimed a town in 1904 and a municipality in 1935.

Bush poet and soldier Breaker Morant worked locally, at the Paringa Station in the 1890s, before serving in the Boer War.

Climate and Geography

Renmark exists in a semi-arid location, above Goyder's Line. Renmark is surrounded by mallee scrub. It is 31 metres above sea level. Renmark has a dry mediterranean climate with seasonal temperatures a few degrees above Adelaide's temperatures. The average winter temperature is 16.2 °C and the average summer temperature is 32.5 °C. Average rainfall of Renmark is 260.6 millimetres. The weather patterns are similar to those of Adelaide.

The Town Today

Renmark is a multicultural centre for the Riverland area. It consists of elegant wide streets. The river itself offers excellent spots for fishing, waterskiing and boating.

Today the area is also known for the cultivation of grapes, citrus fruits, tomatoes, vegetables, wheat and wool. Orange trees stretch for hectares as do vinyards and stone fruit orchards. Other industries include almond growing and pistachio nut cultivation.

Renmark is also home to a wildlife park, wine companies and the rose industry. Renmark hosts the Renmark Rose Festival every October.

Governance

The town falls within the boundaries of the District Council of Renmark Paringa. It is in the State electorate of Chaffey and the federal Division of Wakefield.

External Links and References

Towns of the Riverland