Adelaide Plains
Encyclopedia
The Adelaide Plains is the area in South Australia
between the Mount Lofty Ranges
on the east and Gulf St Vincent on the west. The plains are generally fertile with annual rainfall of about 460 mm (18.1 in) per year.
The plains can be roughly divided into 3 parts. The southern area is now covered by the city of Adelaide
, the capital of South Australia
. The next mid area is the "bread basket" of South Australia with many market garden
s and wineries, particularly around the towns of Virginia
and Angle Vale
. The northern area is predominantly used for growing cereal
grains such as wheat
, barley
, and canola
, and sheep.
The Kaurna are the Indigenous Australians who lived on the Adelaide Plains of South Australia
, before European settlement.
The Adelaide Plains are crossed by a number of rivers and creeks, but most dry up during summer. The rivers include the Onkaparinga River
, River Torrens
, Little Para River
, Gawler River
, Light River
and Wakefield River
.
The local newspaper is the Plains Producer.
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
between the Mount Lofty Ranges
Mount Lofty Ranges
The Mount Lofty Ranges are the range of mountains just to the east of Adelaide in South Australia.-Location and description:The Mount Lofty Ranges stretch from the southernmost point of the Fleurieu Peninsula at Cape Jervis northwards for over before petering out north of Peterborough...
on the east and Gulf St Vincent on the west. The plains are generally fertile with annual rainfall of about 460 mm (18.1 in) per year.
The plains can be roughly divided into 3 parts. The southern area is now covered by the city of Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, the capital of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. The next mid area is the "bread basket" of South Australia with many market garden
Market garden
A market garden is the relatively small-scale production of fruits, vegetables and flowers as cash crops, frequently sold directly to consumers and restaurants. It is distinguishable from other types of farming by the diversity of crops grown on a small area of land, typically, from under one acre ...
s and wineries, particularly around the towns of Virginia
Virginia, South Australia
Virginia is a suburb on the rural outskirts of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. Port Wakefield Road, the main highway taking traffic to the north of Adelaide, passes through the area. Market gardening is the main activity there.-References:...
and Angle Vale
Angle Vale, South Australia
Angle Vale is a semi-rural town on the Adelaide Plains between Gawler and Virginia.Angle Vale Post Office opened on 1 October 1866.-References:...
. The northern area is predominantly used for growing cereal
Cereal
Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...
grains such as wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
, and canola
Canola
Canola refers to a cultivar of either Rapeseed or Field Mustard . Its seeds are used to produce edible oil suitable for consumption by humans and livestock. The oil is also suitable for use as biodiesel.Originally, Canola was bred naturally from rapeseed in Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur R...
, and sheep.
The Kaurna are the Indigenous Australians who lived on the Adelaide Plains of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, before European settlement.
The Adelaide Plains are crossed by a number of rivers and creeks, but most dry up during summer. The rivers include the Onkaparinga River
Onkaparinga River
The Onkaparinga River runs from its source between Mount Torrens and Charleston in the Mount Lofty Ranges, and flows south westerly to an estuary at Port Noarlunga. The catchment is over 500 km² in area, and is in part located in the Onkaparinga River National Park.The Onkaparinga River is the...
, River Torrens
River Torrens
The River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the city centre and empties...
, Little Para River
Little Para River
The Little Para River is a seasonal creek running across the Adelaide plains of South Australia, whose catchment fills reservoirs that supply some of the water needs of Adelaide’s northern suburbs...
, Gawler River
Gawler River
Gawler River, is a confluence of the North Para and South Para Rivers at the South Australian town of Gawler. It is also the name of a suburb, between Gawler and Angle Vale....
, Light River
Light River
The Light River is a river of Fiordland, New Zealand. It rises west of Lake Quill and flows westward into Sutherland Sound.-References:...
and Wakefield River
Wakefield River
The Wakefield River, is part of an estuary located in South Australia. It is an ephemeral river that usually flows only when there are significant rains. The town of Balaklava is located along the lower reaches of the river....
.
The local newspaper is the Plains Producer.