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Mount Benson, South Australia facts for kids

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Mount Benson
South Australia
Mount Benson is located in South Australia
Mount Benson
Mount Benson
Location in South Australia
Population 111 (2016 census)
Established 28 January 1999
Postcode(s) 5275
Time zone ACST (UTC+9:30)
 • Summer (DST) ACST (UTC+10:30)
Location
  • 269 km (167 mi) from Adelaide
  • 112 km (70 mi) from Mount Gambier
LGA(s) District Council of Robe
State electorate(s) MacKillop
Federal Division(s) Barker
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
19.3 °C
67 °F
10.3 °C
51 °F
489.4 mm
19.3 in
Localities around Mount Benson:
Ocean Wangolina
Reedy Creek
Reedy Creek
Ocean
Boatswain Point
Guichen Bay
Mount Benson Reedy Creek
Robe Robe
Bray
Bray
Footnotes Adjoining localities

Mount Benson is a small area, called a locality, in South Australia. It's on the state's south-east coast. This area looks out over Guichen Bay, which is part of the Southern Ocean. Some international maps call this part the Great Australian Bight.

Mount Benson is about 269 kilometers (167 miles) south-east of Adelaide city centre. It's also 112 kilometers (70 miles) north-west of Mount Gambier.

What's in a Name?

The name "Mount Benson" has a cool story behind it. The area's boundaries were officially set on January 28, 1999. The name itself has been around for a long time.

How Mount Benson Got Its Name

The name comes from a stockman (someone who works with livestock) named Benson. He worked for a farmer named Charles Bonney. One story says Charles Bonney named the hill Mount Benson after his employee. Another story suggests that George Grey, who was the Governor of South Australia at the time, gave the hill its name.

A Look at the Past

A school used to be in the area that is now Mount Benson. It taught students from 1887 until 1970.

What You'll Find in Mount Benson

The locality of Mount Benson includes the hill it's named after. It's also part of the wine region that shares the same name. This means there are vineyards and wineries here.

Getting Around

The Southern Ports Highway is a main road that goes through Mount Benson. This road helps people travel to and from the area.

Land Use and Nature

Most of the land in Mount Benson is used for agriculture. This means farming is a big part of the area's economy. The land right next to the coast is set aside for conservation. This helps protect nature and wildlife.

Guichen Bay Conservation Park

Part of this protected coastal land includes the Guichen Bay Conservation Park. This park helps keep the natural environment safe for plants and animals.

Government and Representation

Mount Benson is part of different government areas. These areas help manage the community and represent its people.

  • Federal Government: Mount Benson is in the federal division of Barker. This is how the area is represented in the national government.
  • State Government: For state matters, Mount Benson is in the electoral district of MacKillop. This means people here vote for a representative in the state parliament.
  • Local Government: The area is managed by the District Council of Robe. This local council handles things like roads, parks, and community services.
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