Point Sturt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Point SturtSouth Australia |
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Original stone settlers cottage at Nanda Farm, Point Sturt (c. 1855)
|
|||||||||||||||
 Point Sturt
Location in South Australia
|
|||||||||||||||
| Population | 69 (shared with part of Milang) (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1850s (private sub-division) 31 August 2000 (locality) |
||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 5256 | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | ACST (UTC+9:30) | ||||||||||||||
| • Summer (DST) | ACDT (UTC+10:30) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
|
||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Alexandrina Council | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island | ||||||||||||||
| County | Hindmarsh | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Hammond | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Mayo | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
| Footnotes | Locations Adjoining localities |
||||||||||||||
Point Sturt is a small area in South Australia. It is located on the Sturt Peninsula, which is on the west side of Lake Alexandrina. Point Sturt is about 71 kilometers (44 miles) south-east of Adelaide, the state capital. It is also about 17 kilometers (11 miles) east of Goolwa.
This area is mostly made up of rural properties, farms, and grazing land for animals. You can find Point Sturt Road about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Clayton Bay and 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) south of Milang. From the end of Point Sturt Road, you can see amazing views across Lake Alexandrina towards Raukkan.
Contents
History of Point Sturt
Traditional Owners: Ngarrindjeri People
The land around Point Sturt originally belonged to the Ngarrindjeri Nation. This group of Aboriginal people had 18 different clans, called Lakinyeri. We don't know exactly how many Ngarrindjeri people lived here, but it was likely a large number. The lake and its surroundings provided plenty of food and water for them. The Ngarrindjeri name for the end of the Sturt Peninsula was "Tipping," which means "the lips."
When Europeans arrived in the early 1800s, many Ngarrindjeri people sadly died from new diseases. Many others were forced to leave their homes and move to Raukkan as Europeans took over the land for farming.
On December 14, 2017, the Ngarrindjeri people's traditional rights to their land were officially recognized. This recognition, called Native Title, gives them rights. These rights include being able to access and move around the land, hunt, fish, gather food, use natural water, cook, and light fires for special ceremonies. They can also take part in cultural activities and protect important cultural sites.
European Settlers Arrive
In December 1837, a group of European explorers led by Thomas Bewes Strangways and Young Bingham Hutchinson discovered the Sturt Peninsula. They traveled by water from Currency Creek to Lake Alexandrina to explore the area. They named their landing spot at the end of the Peninsula "Point Sturt."
By the early 1850s, the land on the Sturt Peninsula was divided up and sold to new settlers. Some of the first European farmers included John H. Yelland, George and William Pearce, Thomas Oakley, and John Howard Angas. In 1855, Thomas Oakley bought a piece of land called Nanda Farm. This farm stayed in the Oakley family for 112 years!
Many of the native trees, like Mallee, Pink Gum, She-oak, and native pines, were cut down. They were used as fuel for the paddle steamers that traveled on the lake. The peninsula has a sandy base with limestone on top, which made farming difficult. However, the stones were very useful for building houses and fences. Many of these original stone buildings and fences are still standing today. They are a special part of what makes Point Sturt unique, like the old cottage at Nanda Farm.
Natural History
Animals of Point Sturt
Point Sturt is home to many interesting animals. You might spot Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Echidnas. The lake is a great place for birds to breed, so there's lots of bird life. You can see Australian Pelicans, Black Swans, Kites, Cape Barren Gooses, Galahs, and Ibises, along with many other birds throughout the year. Reptiles also live here, including Turtles, Blue Tongue Lizards, Shingleback Lizards, Eastern Brown snakes, Red Bellied Black snakes, and Tiger Snakes.
What Happens at Point Sturt Today
- Most of the land at Point Sturt is still used for raising cattle and sheep.
- Part of Point Sturt is a special conservation area. It's recognized as a Ramsar site, which means it's an internationally important wetland.
- People enjoy many activities on the lake, such as sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing, and swimming.
- Every year on the Australia Day long weekend, the Milang-Goolwa Freshwater Classic yacht race sails around Point Sturt.
- Westminster School has a large outdoor education site here. Their Year 10 students come for a two-week program each year.
- In recent years, a group called the Point Sturt and Districts Landcare Group has been working to plant native trees and plants again.
Who Looks After Point Sturt
Point Sturt is part of different government areas:
- For local matters, it's part of the Alexandrina Council.
- For state government, it's in the electoral district of Hammond.
- For federal government, it's in the Division of Mayo.
