Blyth, South Australia
Encyclopedia
Blyth is a small town in the Mid North
of South Australia
, located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) 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. Altitude is 189 metres (620.1 ft), and rainfall is approximately 400 millimetres (15.7 in) per annum.
Located approximately 132 kilometres (82 mi) north of Adelaide
, the district's climate and soils are well suited to wheat
, barley
, legumes, hay, sheep, cattle
and pig
s.
Blyth is recognised as being a strong small community with a big spirit. The town today boasts a General Store, Post Office, Pub and Gallery/Studio, as well as sporting facilities for football, netball, bowls, cricket and golf. Several businesses based in Blyth service the region. A recent addition is the Blyth Cinema housed in a renovated Masonic Hall.
The township was proclaimed in 1860 and named in honour of Sir Arthur Blyth
, who arrived in South Australia as a teenager with his parents in 1839 and went on to become a businessman and parliamentarian. The township of Blyth was founded in 1875.
. This line ultimately was extended to Gladstone
and converted to broad (1600 mm) gauge.
Adjacent stations were Brinkworth
to the north and Halbury
to the south.
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...
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...
, located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) west of the renowned Clare Valley
Clare Valley
The Clare Valley is one of Australia's oldest wine regions, best known for Riesling wines. It lies in the Mid North of South Australia, approximately 120 km north of Adelaide. The valley runs north-south, with Main North Road as the main thoroughfare....
. It has a population of 306, the farming community spanning the plains between the Clare Hills and the Barunga
Barunga Range
The Barunga Range is a range of hills starting near Clements Gap and Merriton in South Australia. Toward the range's southern end it merges with the Hummocks Range at Barunga Gap, approximately south west of Snowtown....
/Hummocks
Hummocks Range
The Hummocks Range is a range of hills starting just north of the apex of Gulf St Vincent in South Australia near the settlements of South Hummocks and Kulpara...
ranges. Altitude is 189 metres (620.1 ft), and rainfall is approximately 400 millimetres (15.7 in) per annum.
Located approximately 132 kilometres (82 mi) 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...
, the district's climate and soils are well suited to 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...
, legumes, hay, sheep, cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
and pig
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
s.
Blyth is recognised as being a strong small community with a big spirit. The town today boasts a General Store, Post Office, Pub and Gallery/Studio, as well as sporting facilities for football, netball, bowls, cricket and golf. Several businesses based in Blyth service the region. A recent addition is the Blyth Cinema housed in a renovated Masonic Hall.
The township was proclaimed in 1860 and named in honour of Sir Arthur Blyth
Arthur Blyth
Sir Arthur Blyth KCMG was premier of South Australia three times; 1864–1865, 1871–1872 and 1873-1875....
, who arrived in South Australia as a teenager with his parents in 1839 and went on to become a businessman and parliamentarian. The township of Blyth was founded in 1875.
Railway
In 1876, it was the terminus of the narrow gauge railway to Port WakefieldPort 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...
. This line ultimately was extended 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....
and converted to broad (1600 mm) gauge.
Adjacent stations were Brinkworth
Brinkworth, South Australia
Brinkworth is a town in the Mid North region of South Australia with a current population of 401. It is 32 km north of the regional centre of Clare.The Brinkworth area was first settled in the 1860s and the town laid out in 1892...
to the north and Halbury
Halbury, South Australia
Halbury 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:...
to the south.