The beach at Stansbury 26 km east of Minlaton

Minlaton (including Brentwood and Port Rickaby)
Small rural service centre located on the Yorke Peninsula.
Located 197 km west of Adelaide and 88 m above sea level, Minlaton is a service centre on the Yorke Peninsula. Appropriately it is surrounded by sheep and wheat farms. The town has a wide main street with an interesting median strip with lots of trees growing in it.

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

The area was settled in the 1870s by farmers who found the conditions ideal for the growing of wheat and barley and the grazing of sheep. Today this small township promotes itself as 'The Barley Capital of the World' which is a fair indication that it is essentially a rural service town providing facilities for the surrounding farmers and those travellers who make their way down the centre of the Yorke Peninsula.

Things to see:  

Minlaton Museum
A typical rural museum run by the National Trust the Minlaton Museum contains blacksmith's artefacts, domestic and rural memorabilia and some interesting information about Captain Harry Butler. Open Tuesday to Friday 1:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m., Saturday morning on holiday weekends and during craft shop opening hours - (08) 8853 2027

Captain Harry Butler Memorial
The major attraction in Minlaton is the the Captain Harry Butler Memorial which has the extraordinary Red Devil preserved inside. 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.

Harvest Corner Information & Craft Co-operative
This operates as the town's information centre and is located at 29 Main Street. It sells local crafts and produce and operates as a tearoom. Contact (08) 8853 2600 for opening times.

Jollys Vintage Tractor and Engine Collection
Located on the main road to Maitland at the northern edge of Minlaton this is an impressive collection of old engines and agricultural machinery. It is only open by appointment. Contact (08) 8853 4306 for more details.

Port Rickaby
Located 16 km north west Port Rickaby is a quiet holiday destination on the coast. It is ideal for families with good swimming and fishing available.

Farm holidays
A number of destinations offer farm holidays. For more information contact Sandalwood Park - (08) 8852 4455, (08) 8853 4201; Hardwick House - (08) 8852 4455, (08) 8853 4201; or The Lodge - (08) 8852 4455, (08) 8853 4201.

	Tourist Information
	Harvest Corner Information & Craft Co-operative 29 Main St Minlaton SA 5575 Telephone: (08) 8853 2600
	Hotels
	Minlaton Hotel/Motel 26 Main St Minlaton SA 5575 Telephone: (08) 8853 2014 Rating: **
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Yurla Bed & Breakfast 4 Main St Minlaton SA 5575 Telephone: (08) 8853 2213 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Minlaton Caravan Park Cnr Bluff & Maitland Rds Minlaton SA 5575 Telephone: (08) 8853 2435 Facsimile: (08) 8853 2435 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Minlaton Caravan Park Cnr Bluff & Maitland Rds Minlaton SA 5575 Telephone: (08) 8853 2435 Facsimile: (08) 8853 2435 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Minlaton Hotel/Motel 26 Main St Minlaton SA 5575 Telephone: (08) 8853 2014
	Cafés
	Harvest Corner Information & Craft Tea Room 29 Main St Minlaton SA 5575 Telephone: (08) 8853 2600