Cowell, South Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CowellSouth Australia |
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Main Street, Cowell
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 Cowell
Location in South Australia
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| Established | 28 October 1880 (town) 23 December 1998 (locality) |
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| Postcode(s) | 5602 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | District Council of Franklin Harbour | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Eyre Western | ||||||||||||||
| County | Jervois | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Giles | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Grey | ||||||||||||||
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| Footnotes | Distances Coordinates Climate Adjoining localities |
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Cowell is a small town on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. It sits right on Franklin Harbor, a beautiful natural bay. You can find Cowell on the Lincoln Highway. It is about 111 km south of Whyalla and 493 km by road from Adelaide.
Franklin Harbor is a large natural harbour covering 49 square kilometres. It has a narrow channel, only 100 metres wide, that connects it to the sea. Cowell is the main town in the District Council of Franklin Harbour. It is known for its agriculture, especially growing wheat and raising sheep. Over the years, fishing and oyster farming have also become very important jobs here.
Contents
Exploring Cowell's Past
How Cowell Began
People started farming in the Cowell area in 1853. Franklin Harbor was a perfect spot to load ships with wheat and wool to send them away. Because of this, a small settlement quickly grew there.
The town of Cowell was officially planned in July 1880 and declared a town on October 28, 1880. It was named after John Clayton Cowell, a British soldier who was the Governor of Windsor Castle.
The Discovery of Jade
In 1965, something exciting was found near Cowell: jade! This precious stone was discovered in the nearby Minbrie Ranges. So far, over 100 places with jade have been found in an area of 9 square kilometres. This whole area is now known as the "Cowell Jade Province."
Local History and Heritage
If you want to learn more about Cowell's past, you can visit the Franklin Harbour Historical Museum. It's located in the old post office residence on Main Street. The museum has many interesting items from the region's history. The old Franklin Harbour Hotel on Main Street is also a historic building.
Cowell's Natural Surroundings
Franklin Harbour's Unique Features
Cowell is located right on Franklin Harbour. This bay is almost completely surrounded by land, with only a narrow entrance to the sea. The tide rushes in and out through this small opening, keeping the water inside the harbour calm. Much of the bay has shallow mud flats and mangrove forests.
Because the tide moves so fast, the water in the bay is always full of clay and silt. This means there are not many sandy beaches along the harbour. The Franklin Harbor Conservation Park protects the southern part of the harbour and Entrance Island.
Marine Life and Conservation
The waters of Franklin Harbour are part of the Franklin Harbor Marine Park. You can go fishing here, but some special areas are protected where fishing is not allowed. The park stretches out into Spencer Gulf and goes north past Lucky Bay to Port Gibbon.
Inland Landscapes
Away from the coast, the land around Cowell is mostly used for agriculture. There are also areas of untouched nature along the coast. Further inland, you'll find the Minbrie Ranges.
What Drives Cowell's Economy
Farming and Fishing
Agriculture and commercial fishing have always been the most important jobs in Cowell. Growing wheat and raising sheep were the main reasons the town was started.
In the past, these products were sent from Cowell on sailing ships. The first jetty (a pier for boats) was built in 1881. A new main jetty opened in 1913. Today, there's a modern fishermen's jetty that is about 146 metres long.
The main crops grown here are cereals like wheat, barley, and oats. Farmers also grow legumes. Sheep are still raised in the area, and some farmers have recently started raising cattle and goats.
Oyster Farming and Tourism
Aquaculture, which is like farming in water, has become very important in Franklin Harbour. The strong tidal flow is perfect for raising Pacific oysters. These oysters are known for being some of the best quality in South Australia.
Tourism also brings a lot of money to Cowell. Many visitors come during Easter and the summer holidays. People love to go fishing for many different types of fish, like King George and silver whiting, garfish, and snapper. Other water sports are popular too.
Other Attractions
You can also visit Cowell Jade to see the beautiful Jade found in the region. There are also many scenic drives, some of which need a 4x4 vehicle.
A memorial stands 10 km from Cowell, marking the first Australian home of children's author May Gibbs.
Life in the Cowell Community
Cowell has two hotels on its main street. The town has many sports clubs, including football, cricket, and netball clubs. These teams play in local leagues.
The town also has a hospital, an area school called Cowell Area School, and a police station. These services help the people living in the district.
Getting Around Cowell
Cowell is located on the Lincoln Highway (B100). It takes about five to six hours to drive there from Adelaide. Stateliner coach services run daily between Port Lincoln and Adelaide, making a stop in Cowell.
You can also take a ferry from nearby Lucky Bay across the Spencer Gulf to Wallaroo. This journey is about 60 km and takes around 2 hours.
Cowell Airport is close to the town. It is used by small planes but does not have regular airline services.
Famous People from Cowell
- Hugh McDonald – A musician who was part of the band Redgum. (d. 2016)
- John Menadue – An Australian businessman and public speaker who used to be a senior public servant and diplomat.
Images for kids
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Main Street, Cowell
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Commercial Hotel, Cowell
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Boat ramp, Cowell
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Aerial view of the area
