Clinton, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clinton South Australia
General store
Clinton Location in Yorke Peninsula Council
Established	14 August 1862 (town) 27 May 1999 (locality)
Postcode(s)	5570
Location	101 km (63 mi) NW of Adelaide 36 km (22 mi) NE of Maitland
LGA(s)	Yorke Peninsula Council
Region	Yorke and Mid North
County	Daly
State electorate(s)	Narungga
Federal Division(s)	Grey
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 22.6 °C 73 °F 10.7 °C 51 °F 332.0 mm 13.1 in
Localities around Clinton: Kainton Kainton Gulf St Vincent Clinton Centre Clinton Gulf St Vincent Winulta Price Gulf St Vincent
Footnotes	Locations Adjoining localities

Clinton (also known as Port Clinton) is a small town in the Australian state of South Australia. It's located on the eastern coast of the Yorke Peninsula. This spot offers great views of the north-west part of Gulf St Vincent. Clinton is about 101 kilometers west of Adelaide, the state capital. It's also about 36 kilometers north-east of Maitland, a nearby town.

A Look Back: Clinton's History

How Clinton Began

The area around Clinton was first officially named the "Hundred of Clinton" on 12 June 1862. This was a large piece of land, covering about 355 square kilometers.

The town of Clinton itself was planned out in March 1862. Land was then put up for sale on 14 August 1862. The Governor of South Australia, Dominick Daly, named the town. He chose the name after Henry Pelham F.P. Clinton, the Duke of Newcastle. The Duke was an important person who looked after the colonies from 1859 until 1864.

Early Days as a Port

The port area was also surveyed in 1862. A jetty, which is like a long pier, was built in 1863. Farmers soon moved in, clearing the land for their farms.

The very first Europeans to live here were people who leased land for their animals. In 1854, W. & A. Rogers leased a large area of about 194 square kilometers. In 1860, T. & W. Day leased about 31 square kilometers closer to the center.

Clinton was a very busy and important port in the 1860s and 1870s. It was a key stop for goods and people traveling between Port Adelaide and the copper mines. These mines were located in towns like Wallaroo and Moonta. Even though the water was shallow at low tide, it was still a vital connection.

Changes Over Time

On 28 November 1878, the District Council of Clinton was formed. However, Clinton started to become less important after 1878. This happened when a railway line was finished between Wallaroo and Adelaide. The old jetty was taken down in 1916.

The official boundaries for the town were set on 27 May 1999. The name Port Clinton is sometimes used, but the correct name for the town is Clinton.

Clinton Today

Clinton is often called "the Gateway to the Eastern Yorke Peninsula". It's about a 1.5-hour drive from Adelaide, the capital of South Australia.

Fun Activities

Clinton is a popular place for people who enjoy boating. It has a boat ramp, making it easy to launch boats. The town also has a beach that's great for kids. Many people come here for recreational fishing and crabbing. A popular activity is raking for blue swimmer crabs on the wide, flat mud areas when the tide is low. Because of these fun activities, many holiday houses have been built here since the 1950s.

Local Life

You can find different types of holiday rentals for accommodation in Clinton. There's a Local General Store where you can buy things. More shopping options are available in the town of Ardrossan, which is about 23 kilometers away.

The land around Clinton is mostly used for farming. Farmers grow grains like wheat and barley without needing much rain. Some sheep are also raised in the area.

Famous People from Clinton

• George McLeay: He was a Minister in the government led by Robert Menzies. He was also a member of the Australian House of Representatives.
• Sir John McLeay: He served for a long time as the speaker of the Australian House of Representatives. He was also a former Lord Mayor of Adelaide.

Images for kids

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  Beach and mud flats just after low tide