BERRI, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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A centre for a prosperous fruit and grape growing industry. Its name is well known to Australian as it is the brand name under which much of the fruit produce grown, harvested and packaged there is marketed.
Location: 21 km south west of Renmark; 236 km north east of Adelaide.
Origin of name: of Aboriginal origin, believed to mean or refer to a bend in the river.
Brief history: The Meru people occupied the area before European settlement. The town began as a wood pile that supplied timber to fuel the paddlesteamers that plied the Murray. By the turn of the 19th century, the river transport trade was on the wane and locals turned to fruit and onion growing. Irrigation was introduced to the region in 1910 and led to the establishment of its extensive citrus orchards. A soldier resettlement scheme was set up after World War I at nearby Monash. The railway arrived in 1928. The famous Berri fruit juices were first manufactured in 1943.
Natural features: Murray River; Murray River National Park, Gurra Gurra Lakes Area; Katarapko Game Reserve; Wilabalangaloo Flora and Fauna Reserve; Wilabalangaloo Reserve (30 metre high sandstone river cliffs)
Built features: Lock No.4, Murray River Irrigation Area; Berri fruit juice canneries; distillery; wineries; The Big Orange; towns of Glossop, Monash and Winkie; Sculpture in honour of Aboriginal tracker, Jimmy James; Monash Adventure Park.
Heritage features: Wilabalangaloo Homestead