Curramulka
Curramulka is a town in the Australian state of South Australia on the Yorke Peninsula. Curramulka is within easy driving distance of the coastal resort towns of Port Victoria and Port Vincent and is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north-east of Minlaton. At the 2016 census, Curramulka had a population of 305.[2]
Curramulka South Australia | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Institute, built in 1885 | |||||||||||||||
Curramulka | |||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 34°41′46″S 137°42′39″E[1] | ||||||||||||||
Population | 305 (2016 census)[2] | ||||||||||||||
Established | 12 September 1878 (town)[3] [4] | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 5580[5] | ||||||||||||||
Location | |||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | Yorke Peninsula Council | ||||||||||||||
Region | Yorke and Mid North[6] | ||||||||||||||
County | Fergusson[1] | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Narungga[7] | ||||||||||||||
Federal Division(s) | Grey[8] | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Footnotes | Adjoining localities[1] |
Nearby is an extensive chain of limestone caves. They were first explored in 1850, and major extensions discovered in 1984. They have 14 km of known passages in an area of approximately 400m x 300m and depth 46m.[9] Corra-Lynn is the longest cave in the region.[10]
History
Curramulka is one of the oldest townships on the Peninsula, the Hundred of Curramulka being proclaimed on 31 December 1874. The name is derived from 'curre' (emu) and 'mulka' (deep water hole). Emus used to drink here, and thus it was named by the indigenous inhabitants.
Farming land was first opened up in the mid-1870s and Curramulka enjoyed its heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when most farming produce moved through nearby Port Julia.
The town's commercial importance dwindled when Ardrossan to the north became the main regional port for wheat and wool, but recent signs indicate that Curramulka is back in a strong growth mode.[11]
Local School
The primary school located in Curramulka is in need of a few more students as its numbers are plummeting below the population count of just 50. Though the staff at Curramulka are happy with not having to account for many students, they also like having more company as they attend their current duties.
Bushfire
On 19 November 2009 a large fire started in paddocks near Curramulka.[12] The front was about 700 metres long and burnt about 400 hectares.[13] The fire was soon terminated and had caused minimal damage to local areas with the exception of a few paddocks burnt.
References
- "Search results for 'Curramulka, LOCB' with the following datasets selected - 'Suburbs and localities', 'Counties', 'Government Towns', 'Hundreds', 'Local Government Areas', 'SA Government Regions' and 'Gazetteer'". Location SA Map Viewer. South Australian Government. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Curramulka (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- Morgan, William (12 September 1878). "Untitled proclamation re the "Town of Curramulka"" (PDF). The South Australian Government Gazette. Government of South Australia. p. 728. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- "Curramulka South Australia". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
- Australia Post - Postcode Search Archived 30 December 2012 at Archive.today
- "Yorke and Mid North SA Government region" (PDF). The Government of South Australia. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- Narungga (Map). Electoral District Boundaries Commission. 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- "Federal electoral division of Grey" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- "Corra-Lynn Caves, Curramulka, Yorke Peninsula" (PDF). SA Heritage Register (Fact Sheet). Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- "Caving in South Australia". Cave Exploration Group (South Australia). Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- Curramulka, South Australia
- Curramulka blaze burns out of control ABC
- Curramulka Fire ABC