Minlaton

Located 197 km west of Adelaide and 88 m above sea level, Minlaton is the main service centre for the surrounding rural districts. Offering a variety of facilities for travellers venturing to the 'bottom end' of Yorke Peninsula, Minlaton is a picturesque township with wide welcoming streets.


Minlaton Main Street - Yorke Peninsula, South Australia


The town was originally named Gum Flat because it is the only area of the Southern Yorke Peninsula where red gums grow naturally. The name was changed to Minlaton which is derived from the local Aboriginal word 'minlacowie' which means 'sweet water'.

The area was settled in the 1870s by farmers who found the conditions ideal for growing wheat and barley and the grazing of sheep. Today this small township promotes itself as 'The Barley Capital of the World' and offers many facilities for locals and tourists alike.

Attractions

  • Walking trail
  • Gum Flat Gallery, local artists paint and exhibit their paintings, Ph (08) 8853 2321.
  • Wildlife Parks; One is located between Minlaton and Port Vincent, and provides excellent habitat for the native animals. The H.J. Cook Fauna Park is situated opposite the Butler Memorial. It is home to many native animals and has excellent picnic spots.
  • Harry Butler World War One Mono: Butler's flight from Adelaide to Minlaton with the mail on 6 August, 1919, is claimed to as the first plane flight across any sea in the southern hemisphere.
  • Butler Memorial and Museum: Captain Harry Butler's World War I feats are honoured here, the Aeroplane is housed in a hangar-style building. The "Red Devil", was once flown in France and Australia by Butler, and thought to be the only one of its kind left.
  • Captain Harry Butler Memorial: Captain Harry Butler purchased this plane from the British government and shipped it to South Australia in 1919 and used it to carry airmail from Adelaide to his home town of Minlaton on 6 August 1919. This was the first flight across sea in the Southern Hemisphere by any plane. The Red Devil was then flown by Captain Butler for joy rides, barnstorming and peace loan promotion. The plane was modified in 1931 and fitted with 110 horsepower De Havilland Gypsy engine. It was last flown in 1945. It is believed that approximately 200 of these Bristol monoplanes were manufactured and this plane is the only one of this type in existence anywhere in the world. It was designed by the British government with great urgency in 1916 to meet the pressing need for a fast, single seat fighter aeroplane with the greatest possible fire power. It has a speed of 209 km/hr or 130 m.p.h and was designed by Frank Barnwell for the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company.
  • The National Trust Museum: displays World War I flying ace Harry Butler's memorabilia and historic records. General interest items include domestic appliances, crockery, furniture, photographs and paintings. Telephone (08) 8853 2127 Open Tuesday to Friday 1:30 pm to 4:40 pm, Saturday morning on holiday weekends and during craft shop opening hours.
  • Harvest Corner Information and Craft - operated by volunteers and has an extensive range of visitor information, local history publications, souvenirs and showcases locally produced products. View quality arts and crafts, wander through the Gallery, access your email in the internet café or just relax and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of tea or coffee in the tea rooms.

Activities 

  • Golf Course; Tennis, Basketball, and Netball Courts, Football Oval and Bowling green
  • Walking Trails
  • Polo cross Field played Saturday nights in summer

Events

  • Minlaton Show, first Wednesday after the long weekend October
  • Christmas Parade on Christmas Eve
  • Australia Night, Friday closest to Australia Day

Town Facilities

  • AutoPro, Phone: (08) 8853 2449
  • Minlaton Sports Store, Phone: (08) 8853 2047
  • Minlaton Discounters, Phone: (08) 8853 2262
  • Rendezvous Cafe, Phone: (08) 8853 2170
  • Two takeaways with dining facilities
  • Hotel/Motel
  • Local sports club with meals Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
  • Police Station, Fire Station, Ambulance
  • Bank SA and ANZ banks
  • ATM at IGA and hotel
  • Fuel outlets
  • Caravan Park
  • Medical Centre with Doctor's Surgery, 24hr outpatient and casualty service
  • Chemist
  • Newsagency
  • Two 7 day Supermarkets
  • Bakery
  • Shopping

Nearest Visitor Information 

Yorke Peninsula Visitor Information Centre
29 Main Street, Minlaton, 5575