Forreston, South Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ForrestonSouth Australia |
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The main street of Forreston, South Australia in full bloom at springtime
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 Forreston
Location in South Australia
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| Established | 1850 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 5233 | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Adelaide Hills Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Newland | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Mayo | ||||||||||||||
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Forreston is a small place, or "locality," found near Adelaide in South Australia. It's part of the Adelaide Hills Council area and is about 3 kilometers northeast of a town called Gumeracha.
Contents
A Look Back at Forreston
How Forreston Started
Forreston got its name from a man named Alexander Forrest. He was the person who founded or "started" the town. This Alexander Forrest is not the same person as the famous explorer from Western Australia.
Alexander Forrest was a blacksmith, someone who works with metal. He arrived in South Australia in 1848. By 1850, he had settled in the Forreston area. In 1858, he planned out the village, deciding where streets and buildings would go.
Life in Early Forreston
Even though Forreston was very close to Gumeracha, it grew quite well. The Gumeracha North School opened in 1860. It taught children for many years before closing in 1967.
At its busiest, Forreston had many important places. There was a post office where people sent letters. It also had a store for shopping and a wine shop. Other businesses included a wheelwright (who made and fixed wheels), a blacksmith, and a butcher (who sold meat).
The Gold Rush Era
A big change happened in 1884 when gold was discovered nearby. This gold was found at a place called Watts Gully. Some of the gold pieces, called nuggets, were very large. Some weighed as much as 14 ounces! This gold discovery made the town very popular and busy.
What Happened Next
After the gold rush, Forreston became quieter. Today, the town as it once was is gone. But you can still see reminders of its past. Some old buildings, like Alexander Forrest's original home, show its history.
The area around Forreston is now mostly used for farming. This includes grazing (raising animals like sheep or cattle), dairying (producing milk), and market gardening (growing fruits and vegetables to sell).
Where is Forreston?
Forreston is located about 3 kilometers northeast of Gumeracha. You can find it on the road that leads to Williamstown. People living in Forreston usually go to Gumeracha for shops and other services they need.
Getting Around
Forreston does not have its own public transport like buses or trains from the Adelaide Metro network. However, there are regular public coaches, which are like long-distance buses. These coaches are run by a company called LinkSA. They travel from Tea Tree Plaza Interchange to nearby towns like Gumeracha, Birdwood, and Mount Pleasant.
