RENMARK, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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The principal town, regional and administrative centre for the rich irrigated lands of the Upper Murray River district of SA. Produce from the area includes citrus and stone fruit, wine and table grapes, vegetables, wheat, timber, sheep and dairy produce.
Location: 259 km north east of Adelaide; 28 km from the Victorian border; 145 km from Mildura; 20 metres above sea level.
Origin of name: derived from the Aboriginal word for 'red mud', which describes the colour of the cliffs and banks of the river here.
Brief history: The Naralte Aborigines, who were described by one early settler as 'very friendly and quickly picked up a smattering of English. They were willing to work ... and attempted to instruct the newcomers in their methods of hunting.' were the original occupants of the area. Captain Charles Sturt was the first European to sail the Murray on his epic trip of 1829-30 to solve the mystery as to whether or not Australia had an inland sea. His reports led to the use of the Murray as a major transport highway linking Qld, NSW, Vic and SA during the latter half of the 19th century. Prior to the introduction of irrigation, the lands of the upper Murray River district of SA were semi arid and suitable only for use as sheep runs. In 1887, irrigation experts from the United States, George and William Chaffey, sought and were granted land from the South Australian and Victorian Governments to turn into productive farmlands through irrigation. Renmark and Mildura were selected for the projects. Though their scheme collapsed, the extensively irrigated areas in the district today grew from the original project instigated by the Chaffeys. It includes more than 130 km of underground pipes that bring water from the Murray to the orchards in the area. The town was proclaimed in 1904
Natural features: Murray River; Goat Island Reserve (koala sanctuary); Danggali Conservation Park (80 km north); Margaret Dowling Park; Pike River Basin and Conservation Park (5 km south)
Built features: wineries; Chaffey irrigation pumps and associated channels and reservoirs (Chowilla Dam, 28 km north east); Reptile Park; Grower's Distillery; wineries; Rustons Rose Garden; Wildlife Park; historic village of Lyrup.
Heritage features: paddlesteamers PS Industry Floating Museum and PS Mundoo; National Trust Museum; Renmark Community Hotel (1897); Olivewood (Canadian style log cabin built by George Chaffey); Paringa Bridge; Renmark Irrigation Trust Office (1888-93); Irrigation Pump (in front of Irrigation Trust, 1890-92); 'Oliverwood' (1887).