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Karoonda, SA |
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Karoonda is a small rural town located approximately 140kms east of Adelaide, in the heart of the Mallee region of South Australia. The town was settled in 1911 and is now a service centre for the surrounding agricultural area, which predominantly produces merino sheep, wheat and barley. Other industries include breeding of pigs, beef cattle, alpacas and production of crops such as sorghum, oats, lupins, beans and olives.
The Karoonda Farm Fair highlights the importance of agriculture to the area. This two day event held in March or April each year focuses on farming and associated products, services and events. Local produce is a feature of the Fair and other events include the Mallee Millions Sheep Races, fashion parades and Yesteryear display. The big Merino ram is a valued symbol of the town that also highlights the importance of the sheep industry to the area.
Another point of interest in Karoonda is Pioneer Park, which contains a range of attractions including a railway display, an early farm machinery display and an attractive Lions nature trail. The Mallee Lands Railway Museum is a rebuilt railway siding with an old van housing interesting memorabilia. The Pioneer Farmhouse is a house which was built at nearby Sandalwood in 1913 and it houses a collection of artefacts from that period. You can also begin several bushwalks from here.
Karoonda is ideally located within easy driving distance of the Riverland, Murray Bridge and local conservation parks. Medical services can be found in Stokes Road and the supermarket is in Railway Terrace, along with the Visitor Information Centre, which has a town map indicating the location of all the nearby attractions and facilities. You can stay at the Apex Caravan Park, which is always nice and green because of an independent water supply.
Although a small town, it has all the conveniences with the advantage of easy parking, or alternatively you can set up and walk to the shops.