BORDERTOWN
BORDERTOWN WALKING TOUR
1. Tolmer Park - Tolmer Park was named after Inspector Tolmer’s Gold Escort. The interpretive signs in Tolmer Park give a brief history of the Bordertown area. The Morning Loaf Bakery is an addition to the old police station which can be clearly seen from inside the building. The ‘Old Gaol’ toilet block is worthy of a stop. Inspector Tolmer chose this as a stopping place because of permanent water. The creek has been widened and re-filled.
Extensions incorporating a large hall were opened by then Premier Sir Thomas Playford in May 1960. Further renovations took place to incorporate a little theatre in 1981. Stained glass windows were created in a leadlighting project by ’Friends of the Library’ in 1992. Major renovations saw the redevelopment of the Civic Centre, including the Walkway Gallery (an A-Class art gallery), Theatre/ Cinema, the Hawke Gallery and
town water supply, sunk in 1885, and it was here that croquet greens were established in 1920. 9. Post Office - has been on this site since 1911, but this building was built in 1971. The original post office was established in 1879 and was diagonally opposite. 10. Radio Station 5TCB is now Connect FM. Originally 5TCB (now Connect FM), started in 1986. Visitors welcome. Mostly volunteer staff.
The Memorial Swimming Pool is of Olympic size and open daily during the summer season. A special toddlers area, that has a large shade sail, allows hours of family fun out of the sun. Bordertown Gliding Club operates from the Bordertown airfield, 4kms NW from town on the Dukes Highway. Flying every Saturday, weather permitting, the club has one modern 2 seater training/passenger glider and 3 single seat gliders. Launching is by winch. The club has extensive clubhouse facilities with powered sites in the lawn caravan park. With wide open spaces and no height restrictions, this is a safe and pleasant area to fly over. Training and passenger flights are available on Saturdays – other days and holidays by arrangement.
The colourful clay mural, in front of the Council Office, was a Bordertown High School project, part of South Australia’s 150th Jubilee celebrations. Apex Park in the heart of the town with a great children’s playground, the Wildlife Park with its collection of white kangaroos and Poocher Swamp with its magnificent red gums, runaway holes and birdlife are all excellent picnic areas. The Recreation Lake north of the overpass is ideal for canoeing, fishing and BBQs. Be sure to view the artworks depicting our history surrounding the lake. Bordertown Golf Course, with its 18 magnificent greens and watered fairways, is one of the finest country courses in the state. Resident kangaroos lazily watch your game.
2. Woolshed Inn - Sydney Smith built the first store here in 1859, gained a licence in the same year and a hotel has been operating on the site ever since. Named because pioneer brothers John and Charles Scott’s woolshed was built where the police station is now. The Woolshed Inn was used for many purposes, including church services. 3. Hawke House - First bank in Bordertown and National Bank from 1888 - 1895. Sold to Congregational Church in 1897. Used as Church Manse. Former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke was born here in 1929, when his father, Rev. Clem Hawke was Minister. 4. Apex Park - is a remnant of a recreational area ‘McLaren Place’, named by a Colonial Surveyor after himself. The area was a show reserve in 1888, but much reduced when streets were straightened in 1892. Developed by Bordertown Apex Club in the mid-sixties. The wall mural was created by
11. Pioneer Chapel. Built as Congregational Church in 1880 through efforts of pioneer Rev. David Milne. Members donated and carted the stone. Floor and fittings are of Singapore Cedar. 12. Old School Building. Built in 1874 as a School and Church building. Taken over by the Education Department in 1875. Now used as clubrooms for several community groups. 13. Bordertown Sports and Show Grounds. Dedicated as show grounds in 1899. It is used for football, cricket, pony club, and many other sports. Sculpture gates at Woolshed Street entrance were developed 2001. 14. Bordertown Railway Station. Rail reached Bordertown in 1883. Regular connection to Adelaide since 1886. Station built in 1914 with stone railed from Jim Watson’s property at Cannawigra, and the area surrounding the township of Keith.
Bob Hawke Photo by Sarah Cunningham
Tolmer Park - Photo by De Kupke
Bordertown Primary School students in 1996, every child was involved. The mural represents Bordertown through children’s eyes. The Centre Sculpture Feature was created by the Bordertown High School Students in 1999, depicting activities of the district. 5. Memorial Clock is a memorial to Mr A W Murray who established the electricity supply for Bordertown in 1924. 6. Tatiara Civic Centre The heritage- listed Institute was built in 1909, and is now the Bordertown Public Library.
major extensions to the Library. Also of interest is the tapestry created by Bordertown Embroiderers Guild to commemorate Tolmer’s Gold Escort route. 7. Mural is work of the Bordertown High School students with guidance and direction from Aboriginal Artist Judith Moffatt and BHS Art Teacher, Rose Milton. Created as a bicentenary project in 1988. 8. Croquet lawns also originally part of McLaren Place. Original well for the
DID YOU KNOW? Tolmer Park at Bordertown
15. Bordertown Hotel was built 1903. The hotel was extended and more rooms were added in 1910. Recent additions include an excellent bistro, dining rooms, and a bottle department, making the original L shaped building almost rectangular. 16. Wildlife Park - established in 1968. White Kangaroos first introduced in 1980. Also home to Wallabies, Bush- Stone Curlews, Emus, Black Swans, Peacocks and Ducks.
was once the site of the Police Camp where officers on the Gold Escort Route would change over their horses. Former prime minister, Bob Hawke, was born in Bordertown in 1929. His father was the local Congregational Church Minister - they left the district in 1935.
Bordertown swimming pool
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