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South Australia (Riverland) |
| Barmera | |
| Barmera sits on the shores of beautiful Lake Bonney, sometimes referred to as the Murray's 'Sparkling Jewel.' Lake Bonney's lovely beaches and waters are perfect for a variety of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and swimming. There are several significant sites of Aboriginal occupation and early white settlement around Barmera. advice and information can be obtained from the Barmera Travel Centre. | |
| If
you haven’t followed the Murray River to Loxton, BARMERA, on the
shores of Lake Bonney, is the next major stopping point along the highway.
Its claims to fame are varied and dubious: at Pelican Point, on the
lake’s western shore, there’s an official nudist beach (and a
nearby nudist resort with camping, and on-site vans $31–45; tel 08/8588
7366), while every June, over the long weekend, the South Australian
Country Music Awards are held in the lovely old Bonney Theatre. The proclaimed nudist beach
is
popular with people who like to go skinny dipping or prefer an overall
tan. For more about the music awards, and tourist
information in general, contact the Barmera Travel Centre, Barwell
Avenue (Mon–Fri 8.30am–5.30pm, Sat 9am–noon).
The Barmera Hotel/Motel is not the most attractive of the big Riverland community hotels. A cut above is the expensive Barmera Country Club Motel, on Hawdon Street , overlooking the golf course, with a pool, spa, tennis courts and restaurant. The extensive Lake Bonney Holiday Park, on Lakeside Drive, is a scenic alternative. Eating options include the Pagoda Chinese Restaurant (tel 08/8588 3167; closed Tues & Sun lunch). If you want to get on the water at Barmera, Riverland Leisure Canoe Tours, Thelma Road (tel 08/8588 2053), rents out canoes. Just under 20km from town towards Morgan, a bend in the river was dubbed Overland Corner from 1838, as it was the crossing point for the overland cattle trade to New South Wales. The restful and delightfully isolated Overland Corner Hotel, opened in 1859, serves food and drink and has accommodation. You can camp and bushwalk in adjacent Herons Bend Reserve, where an eight-kilometre trail (around 3hr) takes you past old Aboriginal campsites. A pamphlet detailing sites on the walk can be purchased from the pub (50˘). Look at the flood level from the incredible 1956 flood, practically up to the roof. BARMERA THEATRE ART GALLERY |
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| This gallery exhibits paintings by local artists. It features oil paintings, watercolours, pastels and photography. Sculptures, china painting, pottery and other crafts are also displayed. | |
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