Bowmans, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bowmans South Australia
Bowmans Location in South Australia
Postcode(s)	5550
Location	125 km (78 mi) north of Adelaide
LGA(s)	Wakefield Regional Council
State electorate(s)	Narungga
Federal Division(s)	Grey
Localities around Bowmans: Beaufort Goyder Whitwarta Port Wakefield Bowmans Saints Kallora Erith

Bowmans is a small place in the Mid North region of South Australia. In 2006, about 203 people lived there. This area was named after R and C Bowman, who were early farmers in the region. You can find Bowmans at 34°09′S 138°15′E / 34.150°S 138.250°E / -34.150; 138.250, and its postcode is 5550.

First Peoples of Bowmans

Long ago, the land around Bowmans was home to the Kaurna people. Specifically, a group called the Nantuwara lived here. They were part of the northern Kaurna people. Their land stretched from the Wakefield River north towards Whitwarta and west to the Hummock Range.

This area included places like Bowmans, Whitwarta, Goyder, and Beaufort. In the 1960s, special stone tools were found near the Wakefield River. These tools are thought to have been used by the Nantuwara people. They are now kept in the South Australian Museum.

How Bowmans Connects: Roads and Rails

Bowmans is an important spot for travel and trade. It is located along the Adelaide-Port Augusta railway line. The Port Wakefield-Auburn Road (also known as route B84) also passes through the area.

Early Roads and Copper

This road was one of the very first country roads in South Australia. It was known as the Great Western Road. From 1848 to 1857, it was used to transport copper. The copper came from mines in Burra and was taken to the port at Port Wakefield. Later, a railway from Gawler to Port Adelaide became a better way to move goods.

The Story of the Railways

Railways played a big part in Bowmans' history.

The Port Wakefield Tramway

Starting in 1870, Bowmans had a station on the Port Wakefield-Hoyles Plains tramway. This line ran inland from the port, following a path similar to the road. It was a narrow gauge line, meaning the tracks were closer together. At first, horses pulled the wagons instead of steam trains!

This tramway later became a full railway. It was extended to Kadina in 1862 and then to Wallaroo and Moonta in 1866. Part of this line, from Hoyleton to Balaklava, became part of the Hamley Bridge-Gladstone railway line in 1894.

Changing Tracks and Gauges

In 1923, a new railway was built from Adelaide north towards Port Pirie. This new line was a broad gauge railway, with wider tracks. It crossed the Port Wakefield line right at Bowmans. Even though both lines passed through, there wasn't much equipment to switch goods or passengers between them.

This problem of different track widths, called a "break of gauge," was fixed in 1927. The Port Wakefield railway and other lines in the "Western System" were changed to the broader gauge.

Modern Rail Connections

The railway line that went from Balaklava to Moonta was closed and removed in the late 1980s. The main Adelaide-Port Augusta railway line has also changed. It is now a standard gauge line and has been rerouted to go around the old station and town. The path where the old station used to be is now a special track. This track leads to the Bowmans Rail intermodal terminal, which is a place where goods are moved between different types of transport, like trains and trucks.

What Bowmans Produces

The main industries in the Bowmans area are farming. Farmers here grow cereals, like wheat and barley, and hay. They also raise sheep. There are large facilities in Bowmans that handle these products. Balco Australia has a hay processing plant, and Viterra operates bunkers where grain is stored after harvest.