Cunyarie, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cunyarie South Australia
Cunyarie Location in South Australia
Established	1927
Postcode(s)	5641
Location	32 km (20 mi) NW of Kimba
LGA(s)	District Council of Kimba
State electorate(s)	Giles
Federal Division(s)	Grey
Localities around Cunyarie: Bungeroo Yeltana Uno Buckleboo Cunyarie Wilcherry Pinkawillinie Cortlinye Moseley

Cunyarie is a small area located on the northern part of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. It's known as a "locality," which means it's a specific place but not necessarily a big town.

Discovering Cunyarie's Past

Cunyarie has an interesting history, especially when you look at how people first settled there. It shows how important things like water and railways were for early communities in Australia.

How Cunyarie Began

The area around Cunyarie was officially named the "Hundred of Cunyarie" in 1922. A "hundred" is an old way of dividing up land. The actual town of Cunyarie was planned out in November 1927.

People could apply for land, and new sections were still being surveyed into the 1960s and 1970s. But there was a big challenge for the first settlers: finding enough water.

Why Water Was So Important

Water was super important for anyone wanting to live and farm in the Cunyarie area. Early settlers often chose land near rocky spots or higher ground. These places could collect more rainwater into special earth dams.

Having access to water was a key factor for European settlers moving into the Eyre Peninsula. Without it, farming and living there would have been almost impossible.

The Railway's Role

The arrival of the railway line was a huge deal for settlement in this region. The railway, which connected to Port Lincoln, reached Buckleboo in 1926. Buckleboo was the next town after Cunyarie and the end of the line.

The railway made it easier to transport goods and people. This encouraged more people to move to places like Cunyarie. The town of Cunyarie was officially surveyed and declared in 1927-28. However, it was later declared as having ceased to exist in 1962.

What's in a Name?

The name "Cunyarie" comes from the railway siding that was built there. The railway siding was named after the "cadastral hundred" (the land division). This hundred, in turn, got its name from the Cunyarie Rockhole.

The Cunyarie Rockhole is a natural pool of water found in a large sheet of exposed granite rock in the area. It was a vital water source for many years.

Historic Places to See

Even though Cunyarie is no longer a town, some historic spots remain.

• The old Bienke Farm is one such place. It's located off Whyte Road and is now part of Yeltana Station.
• Another important site is the Cunyarie Rocks Water Supply Structure. This structure helped manage water from the rockhole.

Both of these sites are so important that they are listed on the South Australian Heritage Register. This means they are protected because of their historical value.

Protecting Nature

Near where the old railway station used to be, you'll find the Cunyarie Conservation Reserve. This reserve helps protect the natural environment and wildlife of the area. It's a great example of how important it is to look after our natural spaces.