Edithburgh
Edithburgh, situated a top of cliffs over looking Troubridge Island, is a delightful holiday destination just 233km from Adelaide with a population of around 450. Edithburgh was once the third busiest port in South Australia; today it is a popular tourist and fishing village, with all the modern conveniences of a larger town. There are nearly 200 hundred lakes most of which are salt, in the Edithburgh area, it is no wonder that this town was once a major salt provider to South Australia.
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Nowadays the town is known as being an excellent location for the
keen fishermen with mullet, yellow fin, whiting and larger fish.
Fishing is available off both jetty, beaches - try Sultana Point Beach,
great for those with kids - and boat with an all weather boat ramp.
Edithburgh is the perfect place to take the family for a holiday, with great swimming beaches and a tidal swimming pool with a shallow area for kids. The sandy beaches are perfect for fishing, swimming, scuba diving or snorkelling and sail boarding. Why not have a picnic or BBQ on the foreshore or enjoy one of the many walks ranging from historical to scenic and coastal.
A short drive from Edithburgh, south-east along Sheoak Beach Road, is the Wattle Point Wind Farm. A newly constructed viewing area allows visitors to stand right underneath one of these amazing 68m high structures, and learn about how they capture nature's renewable resource.
History
Established in 1869, Edithburgh is Southern Yorke Peninsula's oldest town. Edithburgh is named after Governor Sir James Fergusson's wife Edith and the two main roads after his daughters Edith and Blanche. The town was laid out with terraces and parklands allowing for a beautiful environment. The Jetty was built in 1873 and salt, gypsum and lime were shipped off to Adelaide. Salt was one of the major industries of this town; prior to 1891, 7,000 tonnes of salt were provided to South Australia by scrapings. Between 1891 and 1900 they were supplying over 40,000 tonnes per year and a number of salt factories. By 1950 this business had ceased.
Edithburgh and Troubridge Island are home to a number of shipwrecks, one of the worst being the 'Clan Ranald' where close to 40 lives were lost. Their graves can now be found in the cemetery.
Attractions
- Beaches: great for fishing, swimming and many other kinds of water sports.
- Tidal Swimming pool
- 17 hectare native flora reserve with over 1000 native birds, and 2.1km of walks through the park.
- 6km walk to Coobowie accessible for bike and wheelchairs. Providing excellent beach and coastline views, birdlife, geology, reefs and natural beauty.
- Troubridge Island Conservation Park is a stopover for a large number of migratory birds and fairy penguins and has clean sandy beaches that are ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
- Troubridge Lighthouse the first lighthouse in Australia to be built of clay and the old Troubridge Shoal tower, first built in South Australia out of cast iron.
- Take a step back in time and enjoy heritage walks including, historic stroll around the town, guided tour of the cemetery and museum, and the Salt roads walk.
- Jetty with excellent fishing and diving
- Edithburgh Museum, found in the old produce store contains maritime, agriculture, salt industry and aboriginal artefacts from the local areas past. Ph: (08) 8852 6187.
- Wattle Point Wind Farm with 55 wind turbines at 68 metres high and 82 metres in diameter.
- Bake House Arts and Crafts found in the old bake house it is now home to the local arts and crafts.
- Scuba Diving is excellent under the jetty.
Activities
- Boating
- Croquet
- Scenic drives
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Fishing
- Golf
- Swimming
- Tennis
Events
- Edithburgh Gala Day held on the October long weekend
Town Facilities
- Edithburgh Newsagency and Delicatessen, Phone: (08) 8852 6230
- Cafes
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Sporting Grounds
- Playground
- Golf Course
- Tidal swimming pool
- Jetty
- All weather Boat Ramp
Nearest Visitor Information
Yorke Peninsula Visitor Information Centre
29 Main Street, Minlaton, 5575