Crystal Brook, South Australia
Encyclopedia
Crystal Brook is a town in South Australia
, named after the spring-fed creek next to which it was founded. It is 197 kilometres (122 mi) north of Adelaide
and in 2006 had a population of 1,185.
Crystal Brook is situated on Goyder's Line
near the border of two climate systems. While apparently cold semi-arid, the town benefits from a temperate mediterranean climate
zone near to the east, making possible slightly more intense farming in the region. To the west and north-west lies some marginal, semi-arid farmland. The local farming community is still able to support many small businesses in the town.
Crystal Brook
(or creek) supplied water to the town until 1890 when the Beetaloo Reservoir was completed, which at the time was the largest concrete dam in the southern hemisphere.
The Sydney-Perth and the Adelaide-Darwin railway
s meet in Crystal Brook at a triangular junction.
, a 1200 kilometres (746 mi)-long walking trail from Cape Jervis
to Parachilna
Gorge.
Close to the north-south midpoint of the trail, Crystal Brook marks a change in climate. Hot, dry summers and mild winters lie to the north, and more temperate conditions to the south.
In regional competitions the town colours are red and white, with most teams known as 'The Roosters'.
The Crystal Brook Football Club won the Northern Areas (Australian Rules
) Football Association premiership for a record 18th time in 2011 and the town has twice staged a round of the Australian motor-cross championships.
limiting subscriber speeds to ADSL
1 speeds.
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...
, named after the spring-fed creek next to which it was founded. It is 197 kilometres (122 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...
and in 2006 had a population of 1,185.
Crystal Brook is situated on Goyder's Line
Goyder's Line
Goyder's Line is a boundary line across South Australia corresponding to a rainfall boundary believed to indicate the edge of the area suitable for agriculture. North of Goyder's Line, the rainfall is not reliable enough, and the land is only suitable for grazing and not cropping. The line traces a...
near the border of two climate systems. While apparently cold semi-arid, the town benefits from a temperate mediterranean climate
Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
zone near to the east, making possible slightly more intense farming in the region. To the west and north-west lies some marginal, semi-arid farmland. The local farming community is still able to support many small businesses in the town.
Crystal Brook
Crystal Brook (creek)
The Crystal Brook was named by the explorer Edward John Eyre for its clear water. Eyre is recorded as saying that it "so forcibly reminded me of the beautiful bubbling brooks at home that I at once named it the Chrystal Brook"....
(or creek) supplied water to the town until 1890 when the Beetaloo Reservoir was completed, which at the time was the largest concrete dam in the southern hemisphere.
The Sydney-Perth and the Adelaide-Darwin railway
Adelaide-Darwin railway
The Adelaide–Darwin railway is a north-south transcontinental railway in Australia, between the cities of Adelaide, South Australia and Darwin, Northern Territory...
s meet in Crystal Brook at a triangular junction.
Notable people
- Arthur Percy SullivanArthur Percy SullivanArthur Percy Sullivan VC was a banker, soldier, and an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Early life:Arthur Percy Sullivan was born on 27 November 1896, at...
- recipient of the Victoria CrossVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... - Rob KerinRob KerinRobert Gerard Kerin was the Liberal Premier of South Australia from 22 October 2001 to 5 March 2002. He also served as Deputy Premier of South Australia to John Olsen from 7 July 1998 until he became premier upon Olsen's resignation....
- Premier of South Australia between 22 October 2001 and 5 March 2002
Heysen Trail
The town lies on the Heysen TrailHeysen Trail
The Heysen Trail is a long distance walking trail in South Australia. It runs from Parachilna Gorge, in the Flinders Ranges via the Adelaide Hills to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula and is approximately 1200 km in length....
, a 1200 kilometres (746 mi)-long walking trail from Cape Jervis
Cape Jervis, South Australia
Cape Jervis is a town at the southwestern tip of Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, approximately 108 km south of Adelaide. The population is approximately 300 people and growing rapidly, with a new estate situated behind the main town...
to Parachilna
Parachilna, South Australia
Parachilna was once a town in South Australia. The town was first surveyed in 1863 due to its closeness to a government water well. It is on the railway line and road between Port Augusta and Leigh Creek. Today, the Prairie Hotel, railway station, airstrip and a few buildings remain...
Gorge.
Close to the north-south midpoint of the trail, Crystal Brook marks a change in climate. Hot, dry summers and mild winters lie to the north, and more temperate conditions to the south.
Sport
Crystal Brook's sporting facilities cater for hockey, tennis, golf, lawn bowls, netball, basketball, swimming, gymnasium exercise, junior soccer, horse riding, motor-cross, football and cricket.In regional competitions the town colours are red and white, with most teams known as 'The Roosters'.
The Crystal Brook Football Club won the Northern Areas (Australian Rules
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
) Football Association premiership for a record 18th time in 2011 and the town has twice staged a round of the Australian motor-cross championships.
Broadband
Broadband became available at Crystal Brook on 16 April 2005 after lobbying from residents. Limited fibre backhaul capacity has resulted in TelstraTelstra
Telstra Corporation Limited is an Australian telecommunications and media company, building and operating telecommunications networks and marketing voice, mobile, internet access and pay television products and services....
limiting subscriber speeds to ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
Asymmetric digital subscriber line is a type of digital subscriber line technology, a data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines than a conventional voiceband modem can provide. It does this by utilizing frequencies that are not used by a voice...
1 speeds.
External links
- Crystal Brook (at GeoCities) for sporting and community group contacts, gardening tips, walking trails and photo gallery
- Crystal Brook Show (at GeoCities) has a comprehensive list of the show's judging program