BARMERA – “The Jewel of the Riverland”
A picturesque town on the shores of Lake Bonney A freshwater aquatic playground where you can indulge in a collection of water sports, sightseeing or just sitting back and relaxing on the grass of the sandy shores.
An ideal climate, safe swimming for children, picnic and barbecue areas, magnificent scenery, and abundant bird life, all combine to provide an ideal holiday setting. The lake affords some of the most spectacular sunsets.
Barmera Golf Club & Barmera Playspace and skate-park are family favourites.
Take a stroll around Barmera and take in the history. A sculpted replica of Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 who attempted to break the World Water Speed record on Lake Bonney.
The art deco façade of the Soldiers Memorial Hall is a beautiful backdrop to the events and exhibitions within its complex. On selected nights, the theatre lights up with the Riverland’s only permanent projection site, screening digital works created from talented local artists.
Throughout the year the town comes alive for many festivals and events including the Barmera Main Street Markets, SA Carp Frenzy, Sheep Dog Trials, Open Air Cinema, Riverland Field Day’s and the Murray Man Triathlons.
HISTORY
The youngest of the Riverland's irrigation towns, Barmera took its name from the local Aborigines the Barmeedjie meaning “Lake”.
First discovered in 1838 by Joseph Hawdon while droving cattle along the Murray River. Although settled in 1859, Barmera wasn’t gazetted until 1921 when an irrigation system was established with WW1 veterans receiving land. In 1929 Barmera was declared a town.
In WW ll one of the largest internment camps in Australia was established in nearby Loveday.
Lake Bonney Hotel was built by William Napper around 1863 on the north side of Lake Bonney to capitalise on the drovers passing overland with their stock. The ruins of Nappers home is still there. Nappers bridge was built incorporating a weir in 1914 to enable Napper to irrigate his 80 acres of land.