Berri, South Australia
| Berri South Australia |
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 Looking over Berri and the Murray River from the scenic lookout |
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 Berri
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| Population: | 4,0082006 Census [1] | ||||||||||||
| Established: | 1911 | ||||||||||||
| Postcode: | 5343 | ||||||||||||
| Elevation: | 31 m (102 ft) | ||||||||||||
| Location: | 238 km (148 mi) from Adelaide | ||||||||||||
| LGA: | Berri Barmera Council | ||||||||||||
| State District: | Chaffey | ||||||||||||
| Federal Division: | Division of Barker | ||||||||||||
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Berri is a town in the Riverland region of South Australia. It is 238 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, the capital of the state of South Australia. It is primarily an agricultural and viticultural town on the north bank of the Murray River. It is the original home of a juice company, Berri Ltd.
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[edit] History
The name "Berri" is from the local Aboriginal tribe, Meri, meaning "a wide bend in the river". The area was first explored by European settlers when Charles Sturt navigated the Murray River. Its first impetus for settlement came when paddle steamers came down the River Murray and a refuelling stop was developed. This was to become Berri. The area was also part of Cobdogla Station.
In 1910, irrigation was established and Berri was proclaimed as a town in 1911.[2] Irrigation subsequently led to the establishment of vineyards and fruit orchards (such as citrus, apricots and peaches). A distillery was established in 1918 and rail arrived in 1928. In 1943, "Berri Juices" (Berri Ltd) were first produced. By the 1950s, Berri and other Riverland towns were dominated the local economy with fruit and their products.
Transport from one side of the Murray to the other consisted of two parallel ferries. These were replaced by a bridge in 1997.
[edit] Climate and geography
Berri exists in a semi-arid location, above Goyder's Line. Berri is surrounded by mallee scrub. It is 31 metres above sea level. Berri has a dry mediterranean climate with seasonal temperatures a few degrees above Adelaide's temperatures. The average winter daily maximum temperature is 15.5 °C in July and the average summer daily maximum temperature is 31.1 °C in January. Average rainfall of Berri is 262.0 millimetres. The weather patterns are similar to those of Adelaide.[3]
[edit] Berri today
Berri is a multicultural town with a café and a hotel on the riverside, a main street that overlooks the river and other shopping facilities elsewhere in the town, such as the Riverland Plaza.
The Berri Visitors Centre shares a spot on the waterfront at the bottom of Vaughan Terrace with the Red Gum cafe and wine bar. This is a popular gathering point for Berri professionals and tourists alike, not undue to its waterfront location, alfresco dining and proximity to the visitors centre itself.
The river itself offers fishing, waterskiing and boating. A boat launching marina is located opposite the Berri caravan park on the waterfront. The Martin's Bend wetland offers educational walk and water sports. Nearby is Murray River National Park - Katarapko, a popular area for camping, birdwatching, canoeing and bushwalking.
A past local tourist attraction was the Big Orange, it offered a three-storey high observation deck over the plains and river. The facility also offered souvenirs, refreshments and local produce. Unfortunately, this has since closed. Development ideas for the future of the site include an orchid nursery, waterfall, butterfly house, tropical garden and bird cages.[4]
Horticulture, in particular oranges and grapes is still strong in the area. Berri is situated in an area of 3000 hectares of irrigated fruit orchards. Secondary industries include fruit packing, fruit juice, and wine.
Other events held in Berri are the popular annual Riverland Wine and Food Festival and the Riverland Rodeo.
[edit] Governance
Berri is in the Berri Barmera Council local government area. It is in the state electorate of Chaffey and the federal Division of Barker.
[edit] Born in Berri
- Russell Ebert, champion Australian rules footballer
- Rhys Stanley, AFL player with St.Kilda Football Club
[edit] Notable residents
Archie Roach, singer/songwriter
Ruby Hunter, singer/songwriter
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Berri (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL402400&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
- ^ The Manning Index of South Australian History
- ^ "Bureau of Meteorology: Berri Weather Statistics". http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_024002.shtml. Retrieved 2006-04-11.
- ^ Glen O'Brien (2006-01-31). "The Big Orange, sold, sold, sold". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2006-02-11. http://web.archive.org/web/20060211040819/http://www.abc.net.au/riverland/stories/s1558915.htm. Retrieved 2006-04-11.
[edit] External links
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Coordinates: 34°17′S 140°36′E / 34.283°S 140.6°E
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