St Andrews Presbyterian Church

Naracoorte
Major rural centre midway between Bordertown and Mount Gambier
Naracoorte is a large (population in excess of 5,000) country town some 330 km south-east of Adelaide and 63 metres above sea level. Like so many Australian towns the correct spelling (it is derived from an Aboriginal word) has ranged from Gnanga-kurt to Nanna-coorta, Narcoot, Nancoota, Narricourt, Narcoota, Narracoorte and Naracoorte. There is a similar problem with the meaning of the word. Some sources insist it means 'place of running water' but equally reliable sources claim it means 'large waterhole' and even referred to a specific waterhole in the area.

Prior to European settlement it is believed the Meintangk Aborigines lived in the district. They were singularly unimpressed with the arrival of Europeans and continued to fight for their land well into the 1860s and 1870s. In fact it was as the result of a stock raid by Aborigines, and a party of Europeans searching for the lost stock, that the Naracoorte Caves were first discovered.

The area was settled in 1842 by the pioneer squatter George Ormerod. Two years later in 1845 William MacIntosh, a prosperous Scot who owned most of the land around the site of the present township, decided to establish a township. He named the town Kincraig after his birthplace in Scotland and duly built a hotel and a store hoping to attract settlers to the town.

It was until the early 1850s, and the discovery of gold in Victoria, that the town began to grow. The gold escorts made their way across South Australia to the coast. It became an important stopover point and, at various times, the town was awash with miners moving to and from the diggings. It is said that in one year more than 7000 Chinese (presumably many of those who had been illegally dropped at The Coorong) passed through the town on their way to the diggings.

It wasn't until 1869 that Kincraig officially became Naracoorte. At the time it was recorded that 'Kincraig, Narracoorte, Skyetown and Mosquito Plains ... these several names refer to one township ...' had decided to adopt one name Narracoorte. Even that spelling would eventually change.

In spite of these developments Naracoorte developed slowly. Local government was proclaimed in 1870 when the town had a population of around 900. It wasn't until 1875 that it had its first newspaper.

The steam train in Pioneer Park

The railway (there are still old steam trains in Pioneer Park) reached Naracoorte in 1876 and this led to slow and steady growth which led to the town becoming a municipality in 1924. Today it is a prosperous and thriving rural centre serving the rich farmlands which surround it.

In recent times the area to the south of the town has seen the development of a significant wine industry with extensive vineyards being planted at Koppamurra.

Things to see:  

The Sheep's Back Wool Museum and Tourist Office
Located in McDonnell Street in an old flour mill, The Sheep's Back Wool Museum and Tourist Office is an ideal starting point for visitors to the area. There is a gift shop and gallery as well as The Sheep's Back Wool Museum which is a history of wool and sheep (particularly in the local area) which is spread over four floors of the old flour mill. It is comprehensive and fascinating and has a number of 'Best Small Museum' awards. The mill was built in 1870, powered by water from the nearby creek, and continued to operate until the 1930s. For details of opening times contact (08) 8762 1518. The Tourist Office can be contacted on 1800 244 421.

Naracoorte Cultural Arts Centre
Located in the old Corporation Building in Ormerod Street this new centre houses an impressive art collection (Naracoorte can boast that it had the first regional art gallery in South Australia) as well an interesting exhibition of Aboriginal art.

Swimming Lake and Jubilee Park
Naracoorte has a particularly lovely swimming lake which lies to the north of the town (take Moore Street north off MacDonnell Street). It is an ideal picnic location (complete with barbecue facilities and a new children's playground) and is adjacent to the Jubilee Park, 28 hectares of scrubland which was opened in 1986, which offers the visitor an opportunity to walk to an area characterised by rich displays of native fauna and flora.

Mini Jumbuk Factory
Further indication of the area's dependence on wool. The Mini Jumbuk factory produces small woollen souvenir sheep as well as a range of woollen products including blankets and quilts. For more details and opening times contact (08) 8762 3677.

The Churches
It is hard to think of any other place in Australia where three churches are concentrated on the top of a hill all overlooking the town. They can be accessed by heading up Jones Street from Smith Street (the town's main street). In this case the churches are St Andrews Presbyterian (now Uniting) Church, a handsome Gothic church which boasts an impressive 1875 spire (the church was partially restored in 1956); St Pauls Anglican Church (1880) with an historic lychgate which is now a war memorial; and the local Roman Catholic church.

The Banks
Naracoorte has two impressive 19th century bank buildings. The old Commercial Bank (now the District Council Office) in De Garis Place off Smith Street is a single storey building which was completed in 1884 for the Commercial Bank of South Australia. The intricate ironwork fence is particularly beautiful and it has fine stuccoed mouldings. Nearby, at the junction of Smith and Ormerod Streets, is the National Australia Bank, once the National Bank, which was built of limestone in 1873. The verandah was added later. It is typical of the importance of bank buildings in a town like Naracoorte at the end of the 19th century. It was a symbol of local prosperity.

Tiny Train and Mini Golf Park
Located on the outskirts of town (ask for directions at the Museum) this small fun park is open on weekends and during school holidays and combines an 18-hole mini golf course with a small train which is ideal for younger members of the family. For details contact (08) 8762 1327.

Struan House now the Regional Veterinary Laboratory for the Department of Agriculture

Struan House
One of the most gracious houses in South Australia, Struan House, which was built between 1873-75 for Henry Smith and Thomas Agar. Designed by W.T. Coke it is a fine example of a Victorian mansion (most of the rooms have beautiful marble mantelpieces) and is now part of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory for the South Australian Department of Agriculture.

Bool Lagoon
Bool Lagoon can be accessed 23 km south of Naracoorte. The turnoff is on the Penola Road and leads to the lagoon where the Tea-tree and Pat-om boardwalks allow for excellent birdwatching. There is the Gunawar Walk on Hacks Island and a scenic view from Wiriu Lookout. The visitor can expect to see sharp-tailed sandpipers (which fly thousands of kilometres to the freshwater lake), brolgas, mallards, Cape Barren geese, freckled duck, pied goose and the largest colony of ibis in South Australia. The lagoon area has picnic and camping facilities. Contact (08) 8764 7541.

Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park
On the eastern outskirts of town Caves Road heads south-east for 11km to Naracoorte Caves Park. It is one of only three fossil sites in the country to be given an official World Heritage Listing because fossils, dating back 170 000 years and ranging from tiny frogs to megafauna, have been found in the area. It is recognised as one of the richest collections of Pleistocene fossils in the world. Today the caves are an important breeding site for bent-wing bats.

There are 60 caves in a 25 km area. Because the land is relatively flat many of the caves are simply nothing more than holes in the ground. However there are now four caves which are open for inspection and which guided tours occur on a daily basis. There is also a single self-guided tour cave.

In recent times considerable funds have been spent upgrading the facilities. In December 1998 a $4 million Wonambi Fossil Centre was opened. It features robotic recreations of the animals which have been found as fossils in the caves which allows the visitor to get some idea of what the ancient marsupial lion and giant echidna actually looked like. There are 17 robotic animals.

1. Alexandra Cave
Located next to the park headquarters it is 210 metres long and was first discovered in 1908 by the forester, W. Reddan. It is recognised as containing the most beautiful limestone formations in the district. It has the full range of stalactites, stalagmites, helactites, straws, columns and flow stone. The cave's major attractions include the 'Mirror Pool' (stalactites, straws, white flowstone), 'Shower Pool ' (superb display of straws), 'Wedding Cake' and the 'Butcher's Shop'.

2. Victoria Fossil Cave
In terms of fossils the Victoria Fossil Cave has been a rich source with bones and fossils revealing the presence of giant kangaroos, large marsupial lions and giant wombats which once roamed the area and presumably fell into the caves. Ninety-three different species of mammals, reptiles, birds and frogs have now been found in the cave. It was not discovered until 1969 when members of the Caves Exploration Group of South Australia squeezed through a 25 cm hole and found the fossils. Although, to be fair, the main part of the cave had been open to the public since 1897 having been found three years before. The fossil section of the cave was open to the public in 1971.

3. Blanche Cave
The first cave in the complex to be discovered. It was found by a group of local settlers who were trying to recover some sheep which had been stolen by local Aborigines. It is known that Benjamin Sanders, a local station manager, actually found some of his sheep in the cave. Around this time the body of an Aborigine was also found in the cave. The body had been there so long it had become calcified and consequently it became known as the 'Petrified Native'. The body was stolen by a showman and put on display. He was caught. The body was returned but, according to folklore, the showman came and stole it again. It has never been recovered. It has been damaged because, as early as the 1860s, it was being used for parties. There are still old benches and stools at the entrance. It wasn't until 1885 that the government showed any interest in preserving the cave. The cave's main features include features known as 'The Ram', 'The Post Office' and 'The Big Column'.

4. Bat Cave
Widely recognised as a significant nursery chamber for the bent-wing bat. The cave now has a unique Teleview Centre where visitors, via a closed circuit television, can watch the 300,000 bats which use the cave for their breeding. These remarkable creatures head off each night on eating forays (they can eat up to half their bodyweight every day) and during the Christmas holidays there are special evening tours to watch them leaving the cave.

There are also Adventure Caving tours of some of the unlit and undeveloped caves.

The Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park covers 410 hectares has powered sites, an excellent restaurant (the Bat-Wing Cafe), toilets, walks, guided cave tours, picnicking and camping. For details of cave tours contact (08) 8762 2340.

	Tourist Information
	Naracoorte Tourist Information Centre Sheeps Back Museum McDonnell St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1518, 1800 244 421
	Motels
	Belvedere Motel 17 Fourth Ave Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 3655 Rating: ***
	Country Roads Motor Inn 28 Smith St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 3900 Rating: ****
	Greenline Motel Bordertown Rd P.O. Box 509 Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2599 Rating: ***
	Naracoorte Hotel/Motel 73 Ormerod St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2400
	William Macintosh Motor Lodge Bordertown Rd Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1644 Rating: ***1/2
	Hotels
	Commercial Hotel 20 Robertson St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2100
	Kincraig Hotel 158 Smith St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2200 Rating: *
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Carolynn's Cottages Bed & Breakfast Lot 6 Young Dve Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1762 Facsimile: (08) 8762 2104 Rating: ****1/2
	Church Hill Cottage Bed & Breakfast 3 Foster St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2430 Facsimile: (08) 8762 2430 Rating: ****
	Dartmoor Homestead Bed & Breakfast 30 McLay St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 0487, 0416 210 645 Facsimile: (08) 8762 0487 Rating: ****
	Limestone View Bed & Breakfast 44 Freeling St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2906 Facsimile: (08) 8762 3851 Rating: ****1/2
	Sherwood Cottages Bed & Breakfast 1 McMillan Rd Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1652 Facsimile: (08) 8762 4252 Rating: ****1/2
	Apartments
	Ibis Apartments 18 McRae St P.O. Box 435 Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1836 Facsimile: (08) 8762 1811 Rating: **
	Holiday Homes & Units
	Naracoorte Holiday Park 81 Park Tce Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2128 Facsimile: (08) 8762 4166 Rating: ***1/2
	Cottages & Cabins
	Cave Park Cabins Cave Rd P.O. Box 435 Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 0696 Rating: **
	Naracoorte Cottages P.O. Box 450 Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2906, 1800 623 851 Facsimile: (08) 8762 3851 Rating: ***1/2
	Willowbrook Cottage 3 Jenkins Tce Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 0259 Facsimile: (08) 8762 0009 Rating: ****
	Naracoorte Holiday Park 81 Park Tce Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2128 Facsimile: (08) 8762 4166 Rating: ***
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Wongary Farm Cottages Bridge Rd P.O. Box 236 Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 3038 or 018 838 213 Facsimile: (08) 8762 3394 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park Caves Rd P.O. Box 134 Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2340 Rating: *
	Naracoorte Holiday Park 81 Park Tce Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2128 Facsimile: (08) 8762 4166 Rating: ***1/2
	Restaurants
	Belvedere Motel 17 Fourth St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 3655
	Commercial Hotel 20 Robertson St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2100
	Dartmoor Homestead 30 McLay St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 0487
	Dragon Village MacDonnell St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1919
	Greenline Motel Bordertown Rd P.O. Box 509 Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2599
	Kincraig Hotel 158 Smith St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2200
	Mill Family Restaurant 27 MacDonnell St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1953
	Naracoorte & District Community Club Restaurant Ormerod St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1345
	Naracoorte Hotel/Motel 73 Ormerod St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 2400
	Pinky's Pizza and Ribs 74 Smith St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1911
	William Macintosh Motor Lodge Bordertown Rd Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1644
	Cafés
	Bent-wing Cafe Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 0933
	Caffe Nostro 31-33 Robertson St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 3565
	Maddie's Cafe Goodchild Place Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 3953
	Showground Cafe Smith St Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 1980
	The Blacksmith Cafe Kincraig Plaza Kincraig Plaza Naracoorte SA 5217 Telephone: (08) 8762 0247 Rating: