Uraidla, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Uraidla South Australia
Main street of Uraidla
Uraidla Location in South Australia
Established	1880s
Postcode(s)	5142
Location	17 km (11 mi) from Adelaide
LGA(s)	Adelaide Hills Council
State electorate(s)	Morialta
Federal Division(s)	Mayo
Localities around Uraidla: Basket Range Basket Range Basket Range Summertown Uraidla Basket Range Piccadilly Carey Gully Carey Gully

Uraidla (pronounced yoo-RAYD-luh) is a small town. It is located in the beautiful Adelaide Hills of South Australia, Australia. In 2016, about 575 people lived here. Uraidla is also a central spot for many nearby towns. These include Summertown, Piccadilly, Ashton, and Basket Range.

The town's name comes from the Kaurna language. The Kaurna people are the traditional owners of this land. Their word Yuridla means "two ears." This name refers to the two nearby mountains, Mt Lofty and Mt Bonython. It also connects to a special Dreaming story about a giant.

Welcome to Uraidla!

Uraidla is a charming town in the Adelaide Hills. It's known for its history and farming. The area is very green and hilly. It's a great place to visit and learn about.

A Peek into the Past

Long ago, the Peramangk Aboriginal people lived here. European settlers started arriving in the mid-1800s. A school opened in 1871. The town of Uraidla was officially started in the 1880s.

You can still see some old buildings today. There's a tiny red brick building. It used to be a bank. The original courthouse is now a house. It stands on the corner of Swamp Road. The first general store is also still there. It's now a two-story house. The main street once had many elm trees. Only four of these old trees remain.

How Uraidla Got Its Name

The name Uraidla has a special meaning. It comes from the local Aboriginal languages. The Kaurna people from the Adelaide plains had a story. It was about a giant who fell in a battle. His body formed parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges. His ears became Mount Lofty and Mount Bonython.

The name Yurrēidla comes from two Kaurna words. Yurre means "ear." The ending -illa means "place." So, it means "place of the ears." Over time, this name changed to Uraidla. That's how the town got its unique name.

What Happens in Uraidla?

Uraidla and the areas around it are mostly farms. Farmers here grow many vegetables. These include leeks, cabbages, and lettuce. There are also many apple and cherry orchards. You can also find vineyards here. They grow grapes for local wine. Wineries like Parish Hills Wines are part of the Adelaide Hills wine area.

Farming and Food

The Uraidla Hotel was closed for a few years. But it reopened in 2016 as a store. A church nearby was turned into a restaurant. It's called 'Lost in a Forest'. They serve local wines and wood-fired pizzas. Another restaurant, 'The Aristologist', is now a tapas bar in Summertown.

Fun and Games

The town has a central oval and showgrounds. These are used every year for the Uraidla and Summertown Show. Many people come to this historic event. It used to be in February. Now it's in early November.

Uraidla is also a big center for sports. People play Australian rules football, Netball, Tennis, and Lawn Bowls. The Football Club and Bowling Club both have places to gather.

Local Helpers

Uraidla and nearby towns have many services. There's a general store and post office. You can also find a pharmacy and health spa. There's a hairdresser and a family doctor's office. Many other small businesses operate here. These include massage therapists and artists. There's even a metal factory and a quarry.

The old Returned Servicemen's League Hall is now used by the Country Fire Service. It's a central spot for local fire crews. During big fires, this place is used to plan things. TV crews also come here. The oval next door is used for helicopters to land.

Market gardens in Uraidla