Auburn, South Australia

Auburn South Australia
The Rising Sun Hotel
Auburn Location in South Australia
Coordinates	34°01′38″S 138°41′08″E
Population	318 (2006 Census)
Established	1849
Postcode(s)	5451
Mayor	Allan Aughey
Location	111 km (69 mi) north of Adelaide 25 km (16 mi) south of Clare
LGA(s)	District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys
Region	Mid North
State/territory electorate(s)	Frome
Federal Division(s)	Wakefield

Auburn is the name of a small town in the southern edge of the Clare Valley, in the Mid North of South Australia. It lies in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges just east of the Skilly Hills.

History

Often considered the Gateway to the Clare Valley, Auburn was originally settled by William Tateham, who lived in a dugout along the Wakefield River and was first named Tateham's Waterhole because of this. It was also the birthplace of Australian poet, C. J. Dennis (born 1876), who lived for a time in the former Auburn Hotel, which has since been demolished. A small tributary of the Wakefield River, Dennis Creek runs through the town and was named in honour of his father, who was the hotel publican. The town was also the birthplace of Australian cricketer and Australian Rules football player, Ernie Jones (born 1869).

The town today

The town is approximately 111 kilometres from the state's capital, Adelaide and 25 kilometres south of the town of Clare. Auburn always was a transport hub from the early days, and today connects the Riverland district in SA with Yorke Peninsula. Auburn is bisected by the Wakefield River as it makes its way to the sea at Port Wakefield and the southern end of the Riesling Trail also begins here, alongside the former railway station, which is now a winery cellar door.

Since the 1970s, the town has become a major tourist destination, with a number of local winery cellar doors and B&Bs. Auburn is serviced by a pub and several cafes, a gallery, roadhouse, bike hire and internet cafe, a post office, hairdresser, Primary School, CFS station, and a number of other services. The Auburn oval hosts sporting facilities for cricket, bowls and netball and is also the location of a small, self-contained caravan park.

Governance

Auburn is in the District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys, the state electoral district of Frome, and the Australian House of Representatives Division of Wakefield.

Gallery

• 

  Ford and footbridge, King Street

• 

  Institute building

• 

  C. J. Dennis memorial

• 

  CWA Clubrooms, Main North Road

• 

  Former railway station, now a cellar door

• 

  Post Office

• 

  Public library (former Council Chambers)

• 

  Footbridge over Wakefield River (part of the Riesling Trail)