Bordertown

About

Bordertown is both the gateway to South Australia and Victoria, situated on the Dukes Highway, 280km from Adelaide and 450km from Melbourne.

The town was established in 1852 adjacent to the Tatiara Creek, the site of a base camp created by Police Inspector Alexander Tolmer, who was in charge of the gold escorts from the Victorian Goldfields to Adelaide. These historic escorts saved a young South Australia from bankruptcy, delivering much needed funds into state coffers, and their importance is recognised by the granite stone markers and plaques along the gold route.

These days, Bordertown is known as the cultural centre of the Tatiara. Art lovers will enjoy the Walkway Gallery, which hosts national and state touring exhibitions, and culture buffs can learn more about one of Australia’s most iconic prime ministers who was born in Bordertown, Bob Hawke, at the Bob Hawke Gallery. The town also hosts a digital cinema, library, conference facilities and a visitor information centre.

A visit to Bordertown would not be complete without spending some time at the faithfully restored Clayton Farm Heritage Museum. Just three kilometres from the town centre, the Museum has a restored and refurbished homestead and a comprehensive range of vintage farm machinery where you can experience farm life as it was more than a century ago.