Watervale, South Australia
| Watervale South Australia |
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 The Watervale Hotel, Watervale |
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 Watervale
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| Population: | 293[1] (2006 Census) |
| Established: | 1847 |
| Postcode: | 5452 |
| Mayor: | Allan Aughey |
| Location: | |
| LGA: | District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys |
| Region: | Mid North |
| State electorate: | Frome |
| Federal Division: | Wakefield |
Watervale is a town located in the Clare Valley, South Australia, approximately 9 kilometres north of Auburn and 15 kilometres south of Clare. It is surrounded by a number of small wineries and several B&Bs. The Riesling Trail runs past the town to the west, between the Main North Road and the Skilly Hills. The town has a number of 19th century heritage buildings, including the former Stanley Grammar School, which is now a private residence.
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[edit] History
Watervale is located on a creek of the same name which is a tributary of the Wakefield River. The area on which the town was settled was originally granted to a pioneer named David Davies in 1847 by Governor Robe, and he named this section of land Watervale[2].
The area was settled by a number of Protestant families who founded a Bible Methodist Church in the township. The current Uniting Church and accompanying hall are examples of such colonial constructions in the area.
[edit] The town today
The townhship boasts a general store and Post Office, hotel, primary school, CFS unit, Anglican and Uniting churches, a garage, a small number of local businesses (nursery, antique shop, wineries, artist studio) and a variety of recreational facilities (oval, tennis courts and a bowling green). Several Bed and Breakfast and Holiday Cottages are available for rent, including Watervale Retreat, Battunga B&B, Quince Cottage. The town can be readily accessed from the Riesling Trail. The iconic Grandstand has recently been renovated, standing majestically overlooking the town oval.
As part of the Clare Valley, the area is renowned internationally for its grape growing prowess, and is particularly well known for Riesling. High quality Cabernet and Shiraz wines are also produced. Local wineries include Crabtrees, Stephen John Wines, Annie's Lane and Olssen Wines.
Local artists of note are Murray Edwards and Harry Sherwin. Murray has a delightful studio perched on a ridge to the western side of the town.
Watervale hosts an annual 'Day on the Green' concert at Annie's Lane, attracting up to 6,000 concert-goers. Many have a great experience camping nearby on the town oval.
The hall for the town houses children's playgroup, Agricultural Bureau meetings, and other local functions. There is a subsidiary of the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council library in the township that opens for limited hours.
[edit] Governance
Watervale 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.
[edit] References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Watervale (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=SSC45246&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ^ Rodney Cockburn (1908, revised 1984). What's in a name? Nomenclature of South Australia. Fergusson Publications.
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Coordinates: 33°57′S 138°38′E / 33.95°S 138.633°E
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