Riverland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Riverland South Australia
Paringa Bridge over the Murray River
Population	41, 802 (2008)
LGA(s)	Berri Barmera Loxton Waikerie Mid Murray Renmark Paringa
State electorate(s)	Chaffey, Stuart
Federal Division(s)	Barker

The Riverland is a special area in South Australia. It covers about 9,386 square kilometers (3,624 square miles). This region follows the Murray River as it flows into South Australia from New South Wales and Victoria, all the way down to Blanchetown.

The main towns in the Riverland are Renmark, Berri, Loxton, Waikerie, Barmera and Monash. There are also many smaller towns. Around 35,000 people live here.

The Riverland is about 150 to 280 kilometers (93 to 174 miles) northeast of Adelaide. This is about a 1.75 to 3-hour drive. It's also about 120 to 250 kilometers (75 to 155 miles) west of Mildura, which takes about 90 minutes by car using the Sturt Highway.

The Riverland has a Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers and mild winters. Temperatures are usually a bit warmer than in Adelaide. The average summer temperature is 32.5°C (90.5°F). In winter, it averages 16.2°C (61.2°F). The area gets about 260.6 millimeters (10.26 inches) of rain each year.

A Look Back in Time: History

Ancient Aboriginal History

For thousands of years before Europeans arrived, Aboriginal Australian peoples lived in the area now called the Riverland. In the 1830s, when the British settled South Australia, the Ngaiawang, Ngawait, and Erawirung peoples lived here. They were sometimes called the Meru people.

Many thousands of Aboriginal people lived along the Murray River in South Australia. They had a rich culture and traded goods. People would travel from far away to take part in special ceremonies. They lived off the land, using the river's resources.

Amazing Discoveries: Archaeological Finds

Scientists have found ancient river mussel shells in the Riverland. These shells show that Aboriginal people lived here for at least 29,000 years! This discovery helps us learn more about the area's very old history.

A study in 2020 used radiocarbon dating to confirm these dates. This means people were here 22,000 years earlier than previously thought. They even lived here during the last ice age. This research is a team effort between the River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (RMMAC) and Flinders University. It helps us understand how people survived tough times and good times long ago.

European Settlement and Development

The first European settlement in the Riverland was Renmark in 1887. It was started by the Chaffey Brothers. They also set up an irrigation area in nearby Mildura. Other towns followed in the 1890s, like Holder, Kingston, Lyrup, Moorook, Murtoa, New Era, New Renmark, Pyap, Ramco, and Waikerie.

Some of these irrigation plans were started by the government. This was to help people during tough economic times in the 1890s. The idea was to keep skilled people and money in South Australia.

In 1901, a special group called a Royal Commission suggested that these settlements should be divided up. Land would be leased to individual settlers instead of groups. Over time, most of these areas became government-run irrigation areas.

After World War I and World War II, land was given to soldiers returning from war. These Soldier settlement schemes started in 1917 in places like Berri, Chaffey, Cadell, and Cobdogla. Later, in 1946, land was given in Loxton and Cooltong.

During World War II, there was a camp in Loveday. People of Japanese, German, and Italian backgrounds were held there. Today, not much is left of this camp.

In the 1950s and 1960s, new private irrigation plans began in Sunlands and Golden Heights. As water pumping technology got better, more private farms started. They pumped water directly from the river. Since the 1990s, farmers could buy water from other areas. This helped the wine grape and almond industries grow a lot.

Climate and Economy: What the Riverland Does

The Riverland has a warm Mediterranean or temperate climate. This means it has mild winters and hot summers. Temperatures are usually a few degrees warmer than in Adelaide. The average winter temperature is 16.2°C (61.2°F), and the average summer temperature is 32.5°C (90.5°F). Renmark gets about 260.6 millimeters (10.26 inches) of rain each year.

The Riverland's economy is mostly based on primary production. This means growing things from the land. The area is great for growing high-value crops that need irrigation. It has good soil, a suitable climate, and a reliable water supply. Farmers can grow many different types of crops. The region is also free of fruit flies, which helps protect the crops.

The Riverland is Australia's biggest wine-producing area. It grows more than half (63% in 2014) of South Australia's wine grapes. In 2013, the region produced 22% of all wine grapes crushed in Australia. Over 1,000 growers farm about 21,000 hectares (51,892 acres) of wine grapes.

The Riverland also grows a lot of almonds and stone fruits like peaches and apricots. It produces 18% of Australia's almonds and 7% of its fresh stone fruit. Riverland juices and milk drinks are sold in supermarkets across Australia and in other countries.

The agriculture industry is the biggest employer in the area. This means many people work in farming.

As of 2020, the Central Irrigation Trust helps 1,600 growers water their crops. They irrigate 14,000 hectares (34,595 acres) in 12 special irrigation areas. The Renmark Irrigation Trust also supplies water to 4,700 hectares (11,614 acres). All the water comes from the Murray River. Many towns were started to help soldiers settle after World War I and World War II. Most towns began as separate irrigation areas.

Getting Around: Transportation

The Riverland is on a major road link that connects Adelaide to the eastern states of Australia.

• Roads: The Sturt Highway is a big highway that links the Riverland to Adelaide's port and airport. Other main roads connect towns within the region. They also offer other ways to get to places like Murray Bridge.
• Air: Renmark has a regional airport for small planes. It could grow to offer more passenger flights in the future. Waikerie airport also has a sealed runway and is an active airfield.

Fun Things to Do: Recreation

The Riverland is famous for its beautiful natural areas. You can go for walks, horse-riding, or bike riding. You can also go canoeing or kayaking on the river and its creeks.

Lake Bonney is a great place for sailing, zorbing, or windsurfing. On November 23, 1964, Donald Campbell set the Australian Water Speed Record of 216 mph (348 km/h) on Lake Bonney in his boat, BlueBird. He was trying to break the world record, but didn't quite make it that day.

The region also loves motorsports. You can go 4-wheel driving, trail bike riding, motocross, go-karting, and speedway racing.

Exciting Events: Festivals

Renmark Rose Festival

Renmark is well known for its yearly Rose Festival. This event lasts 10 days and happens every October. It brings many tourists to the area. The first Rose Week was in 1994. It was the idea of Eithne Sidhu and David Ruston. David Ruston owns Australia's largest rose garden, which is 27 acres (11 hectares) big. It also holds the National Rose Collection.

Loxton Christmas Lights Festival

The Loxton Christmas Lights Festival started with just one Christmas light display. Now, many homes in Loxton light up for the festival. Thousands of visitors come to the region from November to December each year. It began when Peter Mangelsdorf created a small display called Christmas Wonderland. His property, which is 250 meters (273 yards) long, is covered in amazing Christmas lights and scenes. These range from Bethlehem scenes to popular characters dressed for the holidays.

Riverland Food and Wine Festival

The Riverland Food and Wine Festival happens every mid-October. It's the region's main event for food and wine. It shows off local wines, beers, ciders, and spirits. You can also try delicious local food. The festival is held by the Murray River and includes entertainment. It's a popular event for both locals and visitors.

Tourism: Visiting the Riverland

Destination Riverland is the group that promotes tourism in the Riverland. This industry brings in about $148 million every year.

How the Riverland is Run: Governance

The Riverland is represented in the state government by Tim Whetstone. He is the Liberal Member for Chaffey in the South Australian House of Assembly. For the federal government, Tony Pasin is the Liberal Member for Barker in the Australian House of Representatives. Local resident Anne Ruston is a Federal Senator for South Australia.

Learning in the Riverland: Education

Pre-school

• Waikerie Children's Centre
• Barmera Kindergarten
• Monash Kindergarten
• Berri Community Preschool
• Renmark West Pre-School
• Renmark Children's Centre
• Riverland Early Learning Centre
• Woodleigh – Loxton District Children's Centre
• Loxton Pre-School Centre
• Loxton North Kindergarten

Primary Level

• Public Schools:
  • Waikerie Primary School
  • Ramco Primary School
  • Morgan Primary School
  • Cadell Primary School
  • Kingston-on-Murray Primary School
  • Moorook Primary School
  • Cobdogla Primary School
  • Barmera Primary School
  • Glossop Primary School
  • Monash Primary School
  • Berri Primary School
  • Renmark Primary School
  • Renmark West Primary School
  • Renmark North Primary School
  • Renmark Loxton Primary School
  • Loxton North Primary School
  • Loxton Primary School
• Private and Religious Schools:
  • Waikerie Lutheran Primary School
  • St Joseph’s Primary School, Barmera
  • Rivergum Christian College, Glossop
  • Our Lady of the River Catholic School, Berri
  • St Joseph’s School
  • Loxton Lutheran School

Senior Schooling

There are four public high schools in the Riverland:

• Waikerie High School
• Glossop High School
• Renmark High School
• Loxton High School
• Private Secondary School:
  • Rivergum Christian College, Glossop

Special Education

• Riverland Special School

Further Education

TAFE SA has a campus in Berri where students can continue their education after high school.

Protecting Nature: Conservation

The natural environment here has many River Red Gum and Black Box forests. These trees grow along the river banks and flood plains. There are also steep cliffs.

The Riverland has lots of wildlife. You might see Pelicans, Kookaburras, Brush Tail Possums, and Perons Tree Frogs. Less common animals include Koalas (which were brought to Renmark), Bush Stone Curlews, and Carpet Pythons. Carpet Pythons are considered 'vulnerable' to extinction in this area.

People in the Riverland care about the health of the Murray River. The Riverland region is in the southern part of the Murray Darling Basin. The wide Murray River floodplain winds for about 400 kilometers (249 miles) through red sandy Mallee dune landscapes. Several special reserves protect the plants and animals and allow for careful use of the land.

Protected areas along the Murray River include Murray River National Park, Loch Luna Game Reserve, and Moorook Game Reserve. In the Mallee landscape, you'll find reserves like Chowilla Regional Reserve, Billiatt Conservation Park, Pooginook Conservation Park, Calperum Station, and private reserves like Birds Australia's Gluepot Reserve.

In the river valley, there are hundreds of wetlands. Two of these are very important internationally and are called Ramsar wetlands. These are Banrock Station Wetland Complex and the Riverland Wetland. The Riverland Wetland includes the Chowilla floodplain, Gurra Gurra wetlands, and Katarapko Creek.

Media: News and Entertainment

Print

• The Murray Pioneer
• The River News
• The Loxton News

Radio

• Magic FM - 93.1 FM
• 5RM – 801 AM
• ABC News radio – 93.9 FM
• ABC Riverland SA - 1062 AM
• ABC Classic FM – 105.1 FM

Television

• ABRS, which relays ABC Television
• RTS, part of the WIN Network