Yacka, South Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids YackaSouth Australia |
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Load test of the Yacka railway bridge, 1894
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 Yacka
Location in South Australia
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| Established | 1869 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 5470 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 163 m (535 ft) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Northern Areas Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Electoral district of Frome | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Division of Grey | ||||||||||||||
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Yacka is a small town located in the beautiful Mid North region of South Australia. It sits in a shallow valley next to the Broughton River. You can find Yacka where the Horrocks Highway (also known as Main North Road) crosses the Broughton River. It's about halfway between the towns of Clare and Gladstone.
What is Yacka Like?
Yacka is a quiet place that offers a glimpse into rural life in South Australia. The town is surrounded by farming land. The Broughton River is an important natural feature of the area. It provides water and helps shape the landscape.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The name 'Yacka' is actually a shorter version of an older, longer name. It comes from 'Yackamoorundie'. This was an Indigenous place name for the area. The name 'Yackamoorundie' was also given to a nearby creek.
The Yackamoorundie Creek starts north of a town called Caltowie. It flows south for a while. Then, it makes a big turn near Gulnare. After that, it flows west. Gulnare is about 11 kilometers (or about 7 miles) northwest of Yacka.
Yacka's Railway Story
Yacka used to be an important stop on a railway line. This line was called the Hamley Bridge-Gladstone railway line. It was first built in 1894. Back then, it was a 'narrow gauge' railway. This means the tracks were closer together than standard tracks.
Later, in 1927, the railway line was changed. It was converted to 'broad gauge'. This meant the tracks were made wider apart. This change allowed bigger trains to use the line. However, over time, the railway line became less used. By the end of 1989, the tracks were removed. Now, there are no trains running through Yacka.
