Tailem Bend, South Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tailem BendSouth Australia |
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Railway Terrace
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 Tailem Bend
Location in South Australia
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| Established | 1887 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 5260 | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Coorong District Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Hammond | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Barker | ||||||||||||||
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Tailem Bend, often called "Tailem" by locals, is a small town in South Australia. It's about 85 kilometers (53 miles) south-east of Adelaide, the state capital. The town sits on the lower part of the River Murray, close to where the river meets Lake Alexandrina.
Tailem Bend has a long shape because of river cliffs on its west side. The Adelaide–Melbourne railway line runs along its east side. The town grew a lot between the 1890s and 1990s because it was a big railway hub. Today, it still helps the nearby farming communities. In 2021, Tailem Bend and the areas around it had a population of 1,705 people.
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Discovering Tailem Bend's Past
Before Europeans arrived, the Ngarrindjeri people lived here for thousands of years. They were Indigenous Australians who made canoes from bark and reeds. They lived by fishing and hunting animals that depended on the River Murray.
The town's name, "Tailem Bend," comes from the Ngarrindjeri word "thelim." This word means "bend," referring to the sharp curve the river makes here. Another idea is that this part of the river was called "Thelum Ki," meaning "bent water."
In 1884, workers building the railway line towards Victoria set up a camp. They called their spot "Pine Camp" because of the native pine trees. A small town started to grow from this camp. In 1887, a year after the railway opened, the town was officially named "Tailem Bend."
What Drives the Local Economy?
The main jobs and businesses in the Tailem Bend area are pig farming, dairying (milk production), and growing crops like grains, hay, and olives. The main office for the Coorong District Council is also in the town.
Two important new businesses have recently opened near Tailem Bend. The Tailem Bend Solar Power Farm is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) south-east of town. The Bend Motorsport Park is about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) south-east. Both of these add a lot to the local economy.
The Railway's Big Role
The Tailem Bend railway center was a major employer for most of the 1900s. It was a place where trains on the interstate railway line could refuel, get serviced, and be repaired. It also served trains on smaller lines that went into the Murraylands area.
Trains heading towards Adelaide had to climb steep hills and go around sharp curves. This meant they needed strong steam locomotives that could pull heavy loads slowly. But for the flat, straight line to the Victorian border, faster trains with large wheels were needed.
In 1926, the railway facilities were made much bigger. This included building a large roundhouse, which is a circular building for storing and turning locomotives. This was part of big changes made by William Alfred Webb, who was in charge of the South Australian Railways.
Later, in the 1950s, new diesel-electric locomotives were introduced. These trains could go faster and further without needing to refuel. This meant the large railway facilities were not needed as much. By the early 2000s, private companies took over running freight trains that didn't stop in Tailem Bend. Most of the old railway buildings were taken down. However, a company that repairs locomotives and train parts still operates from the remaining buildings.
Getting Around Tailem Bend
Tailem Bend is located on Australia's main road, Highway 1, which connects Adelaide and Melbourne. It's about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the end of the South Eastern Freeway that leads to Adelaide. South of the town, the Princes Highway and Dukes Highway meet. Tailem Bend is also a stop for long-distance bus services.
A special boat called the Tailem Bend Ferry operates across the River Murray. This cable ferry connects Tailem Bend to Jervois.
The Adelaide-Melbourne railway goes through the town, but freight trains usually don't stop. Until 1999, the passenger train called The Overland used to stop in Tailem Bend. Several country railway lines, used for carrying wheat, also branched off from Tailem Bend. These lines went to towns like Moorook, Barmera, Waikerie, Peebinga, Loxton, and Pinnaroo.
These smaller railway lines were gradually closed between the 1970s and 1990s. This happened because fewer people were using trains for transport, and more goods were being moved by road. The last of these lines, the Loxton railway line and Pinnaroo railway line, closed in July 2015.
From Tailem Bend, the Dukes Highway is a direct way to Melbourne. The Princes Highway follows the Coorong and the coast towards Melbourne. The Mallee Highway goes east towards Sydney. There's also a road that connects to the Karoonda Highway, leading to Loxton and the Riverland area. Tailem Bend is a popular stopping place for truck drivers. This is because there are no fuel or food stops with truck facilities on the South Eastern Freeway closer to Adelaide.
The Bend Motorsport Park
Since 2018, The Bend Motorsport Park has been a major attraction. It has a racing track that Formula One winner Mark Webber called "world-class." The first Supercars Championship race was held here in 2018.
Besides big racing events, the park offers fun activities like "hot laps" (riding in a race car), track days, and driver experiences. You can also go go-karting there. Car clubs often host their events at The Bend. The OTR SuperSprint is a big annual race event held at the park. In 2019, The Bend Motorsport Park was also the location for the 25th Australian Scout Jamboree, which lasted for 11 days.
Old Tailem Town Pioneer Village
Old Tailem Town is a special museum that is privately owned. It has more than 110 old buildings that show what life was like between 1920 and 1960 in Tailem Bend. You can see old corner stores, dance halls, hospitals, and shops for dentists, chemists, barbers, butchers, and bakers. There are also stables, police stations, and shops for coaches and bikes. It even has the old Cobb & Co terminus, which was a stop for horse-drawn coaches. It is known as Australia's largest pioneer village.
Famous People from Tailem Bend
Some notable people who are from or have lived in Tailem Bend include:
- George Jaensch: A telegraph operator and postmaster in the Northern Territory, and a farmer in South Australia.
- David Unaipon: A preacher, inventor, and author. He is famous for being featured on the Australian $50 note.
- Brooke Krueger: A gold medalist in the women's hammer throw at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
