Minlaton, South Australia

A large town (for the peninsula) which services the numerous small communities and coastal resorts of the Yorke peninsula. It was the home of pioneer aviator, Harry Butler, who flew the Red Devil, a 1916 Bristol monoplane. Minlaton modestly refers to itself as the Barley Capital of the World".
Location: 209 km west of Adelaide; 31 km north of Yorketown; 88 metres above sea level.
Origin of name: originally called Gum Flat because of the giant eucalypts which once covered the area. This name was changed to Minlaton. There was an aboriginal well in the vicinity which the natives called "Minlacowie" and which meant "Sweet water." The name is said to be derived from Minla and the Anglo Saxon suffix, "Ton", which means "town"
Brief history: The first farmers arrived in the area in the 1870s. Wheat and barley became the crops of choice for the locals. Today, Minlaton promotes itself as the Barley capital of the World.
Natural features: Gulf St. Vincent; Bluff Beach; Gum flat (contains the only remaining stand of Red Gums on the peninsula).
Built features: Harry Butler Museum and Memorial; Harvest Corner Information & Craft Co-operative; Jollys Vintage Tractor and Engine Collection; towns of Brentwood (14 km south east), Port Rickaby (16 km north west), Port Minlacowie (former grain port) and Curramulka.
Heritage features: Gum Flat homestead; Minlaton Museum.