Balaklava, South Australia
Encyclopedia
The town of Balaklava is located in South Australia
, 92 kilometres north of Adelaide
in the Mid North
region. It is on the banks of the Wakefield River
, 25 kilometres east of Port Wakefield
.
to the port at Port Wakefield
, intending to encourage farmers to settle near the town.The first Hotel erected in the township of Balaklava was the Balaklava Hotel, later called the Royal. Thomas Saint borrowed the finances from Thomas James Manton and applied for the Hotel Keepers Licence on 17/11/1870 and was granted licence No.17 of 1871 on 04/04/1871.
Balaklava used to be on the railway line from Adelaide
to Gladstone
, with a junction to Port Wakefield
. The line north from Hamley Bridge
(connecting to Adelaide) opened in 1878 as a narrow (1,067 mm) gauge line. It was converted to broad gauge (1600mm) in 1927 and still exists as far as Balaklava.
The name of the town was originally spelled Balaclava.
Balaklava hosts the annual Balaklava Cup horse racing
carnival each August. This was attended in 2006 by famous Australian astronaut Dr. Andy Thomas
and Jenny (Elle) Price. It also has an agricultural show
in September each year. This major event showcases the regions many achievements, in agriculture, horse riding, baking, art and the local schools achievements as well as many fun things for the family to enjoy.
Balaklava is well known for its interest and support in the arts. The Balaklava Eisteddfod Society. holds its own music and speech/drama Eisteddfod every year in early August. It has been running since 1997 and is a very major event for the township.
The Balaklava Community Arts. group has been running since 1982 and has always been very supportive of the visual and performing arts. The Balaklava Courthouse Gallery began within the ranks of Balaklava Community Arts and now holds widely known exhibitions and competitions in visual arts. The Balaklava Community Arts group continues to nurture the local artistic talents and entertain the community with performing arts by both local and visiting artists, promoting the arts to the wider community.
Balaklava has many sporting facilities and clubs, such as the local basketball competitions and tennis in summer, the football and netball in winter and the squash courts open all year. The basketball, netball and tennis courts are all centralised onto the one ground with the football oval 20 metres away. Balaklava also has its own pool, open in November through to April.
The Balaklava Golf Club. offers an all year round fully watered 18 hole 5,987 metre championship golf course and has clubhouse facilities. The Balaklava Gliding Club. is nearby at Whitwarta, 10 km north-west of the township. Flying operations are normally on every weekend or by prior arrangement.Visitors are always welcome and can even enjoy an air experience flight.
The township of Balaklava has four education institutions - the Balaklava Community Children's Centre, Balaklava Primary School, Balaklava High School, and the Balaklava Horizon Christian School.
. Balaklava lies in the state electoral district of Goyder
and the federal electoral division of Wakefield
.
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...
, 92 kilometres north 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...
in the Mid North
Mid North
The Mid North is a region of South Australia, north of the Adelaide Plains, but not as far north as the Far North, or outback. It is generally accepted to extend from Spencer Gulf east to the Barrier Highway, including the coastal plain, the southern part of the Flinders Ranges, and the northern...
region. It is on the banks of the 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....
, 25 kilometres east of Port Wakefield
Port Wakefield, South Australia
Port Wakefield was the first government town to be established north of the capital, Adelaide, in South Australia.Port Wakefield is situated approximately 98.7 kilometres from Adelaide and lies on the Port Wakefield Road section of the A1 National Highway...
.
History
The first European settlers in the area were James and Mary Dunn who opened a hotel in 1850. The town was laid out by Charles Fisher in 1869 and named it after the Battle of Balaklava. He built large grain stores on the tramway from HoyletonHoyleton, South Australia
Hoyleton is a former railway town in South Australia, west of the Clare Valley, halfway between Leasingham and Halbury. At the 2006 census, Hoyleton had a population of 283....
to the port at Port Wakefield
Port Wakefield, South Australia
Port Wakefield was the first government town to be established north of the capital, Adelaide, in South Australia.Port Wakefield is situated approximately 98.7 kilometres from Adelaide and lies on the Port Wakefield Road section of the A1 National Highway...
, intending to encourage farmers to settle near the town.The first Hotel erected in the township of Balaklava was the Balaklava Hotel, later called the Royal. Thomas Saint borrowed the finances from Thomas James Manton and applied for the Hotel Keepers Licence on 17/11/1870 and was granted licence No.17 of 1871 on 04/04/1871.
Balaklava used to be on the railway line from 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...
to Gladstone
Gladstone, South Australia
Gladstone is a small rural town in the Mid North of South Australia in the approach to the lower Flinders Ranges. At the 2006 census, Gladstone had a population of 629....
, with a junction to Port Wakefield
Port Wakefield, South Australia
Port Wakefield was the first government town to be established north of the capital, Adelaide, in South Australia.Port Wakefield is situated approximately 98.7 kilometres from Adelaide and lies on the Port Wakefield Road section of the A1 National Highway...
. The line north from Hamley Bridge
Hamley Bridge, South Australia
Hamley Bridge is a community in South Australia located at the junction of the Gilbert and Light rivers, as well as the site of a former railway junction....
(connecting to Adelaide) opened in 1878 as a narrow (1,067 mm) gauge line. It was converted to broad gauge (1600mm) in 1927 and still exists as far as Balaklava.
The name of the town was originally spelled Balaclava.
The town today
The local newspaper is the Plains Producer.Balaklava hosts the annual Balaklava Cup horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
carnival each August. This was attended in 2006 by famous Australian astronaut Dr. Andy Thomas
Andy Thomas
Andrew "Andy" Sydney Withiel Thomas is an Australian-born American aerospace engineer and a NASA astronaut. He became a U.S. citizen in December 1986, hoping to gain entry to NASA's astronaut program...
and Jenny (Elle) Price. It also has an agricultural show
Agricultural show
An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...
in September each year. This major event showcases the regions many achievements, in agriculture, horse riding, baking, art and the local schools achievements as well as many fun things for the family to enjoy.
Balaklava is well known for its interest and support in the arts. The Balaklava Eisteddfod Society. holds its own music and speech/drama Eisteddfod every year in early August. It has been running since 1997 and is a very major event for the township.
The Balaklava Community Arts. group has been running since 1982 and has always been very supportive of the visual and performing arts. The Balaklava Courthouse Gallery began within the ranks of Balaklava Community Arts and now holds widely known exhibitions and competitions in visual arts. The Balaklava Community Arts group continues to nurture the local artistic talents and entertain the community with performing arts by both local and visiting artists, promoting the arts to the wider community.
Balaklava has many sporting facilities and clubs, such as the local basketball competitions and tennis in summer, the football and netball in winter and the squash courts open all year. The basketball, netball and tennis courts are all centralised onto the one ground with the football oval 20 metres away. Balaklava also has its own pool, open in November through to April.
The Balaklava Golf Club. offers an all year round fully watered 18 hole 5,987 metre championship golf course and has clubhouse facilities. The Balaklava Gliding Club. is nearby at Whitwarta, 10 km north-west of the township. Flying operations are normally on every weekend or by prior arrangement.Visitors are always welcome and can even enjoy an air experience flight.
The township of Balaklava has four education institutions - the Balaklava Community Children's Centre, Balaklava Primary School, Balaklava High School, and the Balaklava Horizon Christian School.
Geography
Neighbouring towns include:- AuburnAuburn, South AustraliaAuburn is the name of a small town in the southern edge of the Clare Valley, in the Mid North of South Australia.-History:Often considered the Gateway to the Clare Valley, Auburn was originally settled by William Tateham, who lived in a dugout along the Wakefield River and was first named...
- BlythBlyth, South AustraliaBlyth is a small town in the Mid North of South Australia, located west of the renowned Clare Valley. It has a population of 306, the farming community spanning the plains between the Clare Hills and the Barunga/Hummocks ranges...
- ClareClare, South AustraliaThe town of Clare is located in South Australia in the Mid North region, 136 km north of Adelaide. It gives its name to the Clare Valley wine and tourist region.-History:One of the first settlers in the area was John Horrocks, in 1839...
- HalburyHalbury, South AustraliaHalbury is a former railway town in South Australia, west of the Clare Valley, halfway between Balaklava and Auburn. At the 2006 census, Halbury had a population of 363.-Etymology:...
- MallalaMallala, South AustraliaMallala is a small town about 58 kilometres north of Adelaide in South Australia. The name Mallala is thought to be derived from the local Aboriginal word 'madlola' which supposedly meant 'place of the ground frog'. At the 2006 census, Mallala had a population of 737.In 1939 the Royal Australian...
- OwenOwen, South AustraliaOwen is a rural community in the heart of the Adelaide Plains. Owen is above sea-level and receives a reliable 416 mm of rain annually and was first settled in about 1865. It is about 80 km north of Adelaide in South Australia and is approximately 30 minutes by road to the nearest main...
- Port WakefieldPort Wakefield, South AustraliaPort Wakefield was the first government town to be established north of the capital, Adelaide, in South Australia.Port Wakefield is situated approximately 98.7 kilometres from Adelaide and lies on the Port Wakefield Road section of the A1 National Highway...
- SnowtownSnowtown, South AustraliaThe town of Snowtown is located in the Mid North of South Australia 145 km north of Adelaide and lies on the main route between Adelaide and Perth. The town's elevation is 103 metres and on average the town receives 389 mm of rainfall per annum.-History:...
- Hamley BridgeHamley Bridge, South AustraliaHamley Bridge is a community in South Australia located at the junction of the Gilbert and Light rivers, as well as the site of a former railway junction....
Government
Balaklava is the administrative centre for local government seat of Wakefield Regional CouncilWakefield Regional Council
Wakefield Regional Council is a local government administrative body in South Australia.-Towns and communities:The Wakefield Regional Council includes the following townships located in the area:*Alma*Avon*Balaklava*Barabba Hill*Barunga*Barunga Gap...
. Balaklava lies in the state electoral district of Goyder
Electoral district of Goyder
Goyder is an electoral district of the House of Assembly in the Australian state of South Australia. It is a 10,406.4 km² rural electorate based around the Yorke Peninsula and taking in the towns of Ardrossan, Bute, Corny Point, Edithburgh, Maitland, Minlaton, Moonta, Owen, Port Wakefield,...
and the federal electoral division of Wakefield
Division of Wakefield
The Division of Wakefield is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of South Australia. It is located north of Adelaide, incorporating the outer northern suburbs of Salisbury and Elizabeth, and extending north as far as Clare. It covers the east coast of the Gulf St Vincent north of...
.