Kangarilla, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kangarilla South Australia
Main street of Kangarilla
Kangarilla Location in South Australia
Postcode(s)	5157
Elevation	195 m (640 ft)
Location	41 km (25 mi) from Adelaide
LGA(s)	City of Onkaparinga
Region	Southern Adelaide
County	Adelaide
Federal Division(s)	Division of Mayo
Localities around Kangarilla: Clarendon Clarendon Mylor McLaren Vale and McLaren Flat Kangarilla Jupiter Creek The Range Blackfellows Creek Meadows

Kangarilla is a small, quiet town in South Australia. It's about 33 kilometers (20 miles) south of Adelaide city centre, the state capital. This area was once home to the Kaurna people, Australia's First Nations people. Europeans started settling here in 1840. Today, Kangarilla is part of the City of Onkaparinga local government area. In 2016, about 896 people lived there.

History of Kangarilla

Early Days and Names

The land where Kangarilla now stands was originally lived in by the Kaurna people. They called the place Kangkarrilla. Some people think this name might mean "birthplace" or "a place where something is nurtured." Other ideas include "a place with lots of resources" or "a resting place with water and trees."

Europeans started settling in the Kangarilla area around 1840. They mainly grew wheat and grapes for wine. A town was officially started in 1849 by John Bottrill. It was first called Scaldwell and then Eyre Flat or Eyre's Flat. The name Kangarilla might have first belonged to the creek that flowed through the area. By the 1870s, everyone started calling the whole area Kangarilla.

Dashwood Gully Settlement

Dashwood Gully around 1920

Within Kangarilla's area, there was once a historic settlement called Dashwood Gully. It was named after George Frederick Dashwood, who settled there in 1841. He later became a member of the South Australian parliament. Dashwood Gully had its own post office for a while, opening in 1863 and closing in 1930.

How Kangarilla is Governed

Local Government and Administration

From 1853, Kangarilla was part of the District Council of Willunga. This council helped manage the local area. Then, in December 1997, Kangarilla became part of the new City of Onkaparinga. This means the City of Onkaparinga council now looks after the town's local services and planning.

About Kangarilla Today

Location and Population

Kangarilla is located about 33 kilometers (20 miles) from Adelaide city centre. It's close to the Adelaide Hills and at the top end of the Fleurieu Peninsula. It's considered a small town, even though it's also officially a "locality" or "suburb." Kangarilla is separated from other nearby towns by farms and vineyards, especially the famous McLaren Vale wine region. This area is only about a 15-minute drive away.

According to the 2016 census, Kangarilla had a population of 896 people.