People walking in the park at Strathalbyn

Strathalbyn (including Langhorne Creek)
Delightful and attractive town on the River Angas.
Located only 57 km south of Adelaide, Strathalbyn is one of the most attractive towns in South Australia. It is not surprising that it is a classified Heritage Town. Its appeal lies primarily in the way the centre of the town runs along the Angas River and is characterised by a large area of parkland, known as the Soldiers Memorial Gardens, which is ideal for walking and picnics. A feature of the park is the delightful Childrens Bridge which was completed in 1919.

Prior to European settlement the area around Strathalbyn was part of the larger Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal world. The Angas River district, at the southern end of the Mount Lofty Ranges, was settled in the late 1830s when Dr John Rankine from Ayrshire, one of a 105 Scottish immigrants who had arrived at Holdfast Bay near Adelaide, took up land which he called 'Fairfield'. Two years later William Rankine (Dr Rankine's brother) and Colonel James Dawson took up land in the district. This land would eventually become the site of the township.

The town, for a while called Strath Albyn comes from two Gaelic words - 'strath' meaning 'broad valley' and 'Albion' meaning 'hilly land'. Some sources suggest that 'Albion', which was also a term used to describe Great Britain, happened, rather unromantically, to be the name of a steel mill which Dr Rankine had a large shareholding in.

It is a compliment to the town's founders that they decided, once the town site had been chosen, to ensure that the banks of the river remain parkland thus creating the town's delightful centre.

The Corporation of Strathalbyn was founded in 1868. The following year a tramway was constructed between Goolwa and Strathalbyn. It was at the tramway terminus that the Terminus Hotel was built to provide refreshments for passengers. A railway from Adelaide arrived in 1884 and by 1889 the town had its own cheese factory.

Today Strathalbyn, apart from enjoying the benefits of tourism, is a rural service centre in an area dominated by mixed farming which ranges from vineyards at Langhorne Creek to cereal crops, cattle, sheep, orchards and alpacas.

Things to see:  

Strathalbyn Old Court House National Trust Museum
Located at 1 Rankine Street and housed in the old police station (1858) and court house (1867) the Old Court House Museum has extensive displays of historic photographs, clothing, domestic ware and the Police Station has a sitting room, two bedrooms and a kitchen all furnished in equipment from the Victorian era. Outside there is a stable, shed and three cells and a range of agricultural equipment. It is open Sat, Sun and public holidays 2.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m. For more details (08) 8536 2478.

Town Hall

Historic Walk
Strathalbyn has over 30 buildings of historic interest. There are brochures which provide maps and detailed information for the visitor. Of particular interest are the Terminus Hotel (licensed as the Strathalbyn Hotel by Donald Gollan in 1840) which is the town's first building and is located on Franklin Street - it was the scene of a dinner to honour Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh in 1869; Glenbarr which was built by William Rankine in 1842 and is now the centre of Scottish activity in the district - it is on the road out of town to Paris Creek; St Andrews Uniting Church on the banks of the river which was originally the Presbyterian Church serving the local Scottish community. It was commenced as a smaller building in 1844 and the tower was specially constructed to hold a bell which was donated by a grateful member of the congregation; the shop at 20 High Street which dates from 1854; the Robin Hood Hotel on the corner of Grey and High Streets which was first opened in 1855; Argus House, the one time home of the local paper and South Australia's first rural newspaper, the Southern Argus, which is located on Commercial Road; London House in the High Street which was built by Thomas Stephens in 1867; the Institute and Town Hall in the High Street which was built in 1874; Albyn Terrace which was used for scenes in the movie Picnic at Hanging Rock.

London House

Langhorne Creek
The tiny settlement of Langhorne Creek, with its beautiful old Bridge Hotel and its attractive sandstone buildings, lies at the heart of a wine growing area.

Vineyards and Wineries in the Area
Bremerton Wines
Located on Strathalbyn Road just north of Langhorne Creek this delightful winery was established in 1991 and specialises in red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, merlot, semillon and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8537 3093.

Bleasdale Vineyards
Located on Wellington Road south of Langhorne Creek this historic family winery was established in 1850. It has been classified by the National Trust and listed on both the State and National Heritage Registers. It specialises in dry red and white table wines and fortified wines derived from cabernet, malbec, grenache, verdelho, chardonnay, merlot, cabernet franc and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8537 3001.

Lake Breeze Winery
Located on Step Road south of Langhorne Creek this family winery was established in 1991 and specialises in premium red table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, grenache, white frontignac and shiraz grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8537 3017.

Temple Bruer Wines
Located on Strathalbyn-Milang Road south of Langhorne Creek this innovative winery was established in 1981 and specialises in red and white table wines and sparkling wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, malbec, verdelho, cabernet franc, chenin blanc, viognier and shiraz grapes. It is open Monday to Friday for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8537 0203.

	Tourist Information
	Strathalbyn Tourist Information Centre Railway Station South Tce Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 3212
	Hotels
	Robin Hood Hotel 18 High St Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 2608 Rating: **
	Terminus Hotel Rankine St Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 3856 2026
	Victoria on the Park Hotel/Motel 16 Albyn Tce Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 2202
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Gasworks Bed & Breakfast 12 South Tce Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 4291, 0412 153 893 Email: gasworks.strathalbyn@bigpond.com
	Hamilton House Bed & Breakfast 23 Commercial Rd Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 4275 Facsimile: (08) 8536 4275 Rating: ****
	Peechabella Vineyards Bed & Breakfast Langhorne Creek Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8537 3210
	Watervilla House Bed & Breakfast 2 Mill St Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 4099 Facsimile: (08) 8536 4099 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	The Railway Cottages 3 & 5 Parker Ave P.O. Box 424 Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: 0407 601 692, (08) 8536 4910 Facsimile: (08) 8536 2461 Email: melville7@bigpond.com.au Rating: ****
	Yates Cottage Tolderol Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8537 3063
	Caravan Parks
	Strathalbyn Caravan Park Coronation Rd P.O. Box 619 Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 3681 Rating: **
	Camping & Other
	Helen Stacey Studio/Gallery, Home Accommodation 17 Harriet St Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 3069 Facsimile: (08) 8536 3069
	Restaurants
	Albyn Riverside Chinese & Asian Restaurant 18 Albyn Tce Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 3744
	BJ & Sew's Chinese Restaurant 29 South Tce Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 2822
	Terminus Hotel Rankine St Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 2026
	Victoria on the Park Hotel/Motel 16 Albyn Tce Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 2202