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Murray River Towns
Renmark
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Brief History of Renmark

Although, there were other white settlers in the area prior to their arrival, the Chaffey brothers are honoured as founders of Renmark.

The Canadian born George and William Chaffey were invited to Australia to create an irrigation colony at Mildura. The project was delayed due to political disputes and in the meantime an agreement of the establishment of an irrigation colony at Renmark was signed on 14th February 1887.

30 000 acres from the Bookmark Station lease was granted to the Chaffey’s on which to build the new colony. Vineyards and fruit blocks slowly emerged throughout the district.

In 1893, the Renmark Irrigation Trust was established to supply water to the growers, and in the early years, it also played a role in the administration and governing of the settlement.

Initially, Renmark was almost a prohibition settlement but on 3rd March 1897, a liquor licence was granted to the Renmark Hotel and it became the first community owned hotel in the Commonwealth and was administered by a trust.

During its brief history, Renmark has witnessed many changes. Once it played a major role as a port for paddle steamers, until the introduction of the railway signaled the end of the river trade ear. The railway was, in turn, made redundant with the advent of prime movers to transport freight.

The township has survived memorable floods (such as 1956), droughts (as in 1914) storms and threat of bushfires. All of these in just over one hundred years.

Renmark takes its name from the Aboriginal word meaning “red mud”. The town was founded in 1887 following a joint agreement between the state government and Canadian engineers George and Ben Chaffey. The brothers were instrumental in helping to establish the system of irrigation still in use on the Murray today. Renmark is Australia’s oldest irrigation settlement.

In recent years the focus of the the area has once again returned to the river with a growth in tourism and usage of the river for recreational purposes. Future developments have considered the tourism potential in the area by including features such as accommodation and recreational facilities.

Things to do and See

River Cruising

Begin your stay in this friendly town with a cruise on boats old or new. The luxury houseboat-style Big River Rambler makes daily two-hour cruises from the wharf, while the historic paddle-steamer Industry fires up on the first Sunday of every month. It’s one of the few remaining paddle-steamers from the busy river trade days.

Houseboating

The riverfront is also the base for several houseboat fleets, including the Liba Liba and Cocktails & Dreams fleet.

Original proprietor Ian Showell conceived the idea of a floating house while in Egypt. The boats he saw along the Nile became the inspiration for what is now a multi-million dollar Murray River industry.

Olivewood Estate

The watershed in the town’s history was the development of the irrigation schemes in the late 1880s that turned this countryside into Australia’s food bowl. The Canadian-born Chaffey brothers are often called the founders of Renmark.

Their original home, Olivewood, is now a National Trust museum and gives an important insight into the history of the town.

McCormick Centre for the Environment

Three kilometres outside Renmark is the McCormick Centre. It includes an interpretive model that shows the enormity and importance – and workings – of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Wine and Dine

Sample the local drop at Renmano and Angove Winery cellar doors.

You can also get a taste of the region’s great food and wine at many of the restaurants, pubs and the community club. Renmark Hotel is a good dine with great river views.

Riverfront Walk

Take a stroll along the Renmark riverfront interpretive walk. This easy five kilometre walk (also suitable for bikes) interprets historical information about the town and river. An extension of the walk takes you to the nearby town of Paringa.

Backwater Expeditions

Discover the backwaters of the Murray on a backwater dinghy tour. You will see a very different side to this great river.

Learn to Ski

Don’t miss this great opportunity to walk on water. Learn to ski or wakeboard in Renmark (by appointment).

Wildlife Park

There’s adventure of a different kind at Bredl’s Wonder World of Wildlife: one of their informative guides will allow you to feed and hold a massive python!

Rose Garden

As well as ideal for horticulture, Renmark’s climate is perfect for roses and from September to July the main street is flushed with blooms. Ruston’s Rose Garden is the largest rose garden in the southern hemisphere and hosts a glorious mix of modern and heritage roses of all kinds and colours.

All things “rose” are celebrated in October in the town’s nine-day Rose Festival.

Chowilla Station and Reserve

Just 40 kilometres from Renmark, where the outback meets the river, are a wealth of natural, historic and cultural experiences. Go with a group and stay in the Shearers’ Quarters overlooking the Murray River, hire a canoe and explore this pristine natural bushland or discover this peaceful location on a houseboat. Camping and tours are available.

Visitor information
Renmark paringa visitor information centre

84 Murray Avenue, Renmark SA 5341
Phone: (08) 8586 6704
Open: Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm
Sat 9am – 4pm
Sun & pub. hols 10am – 4pm

Local Attractions, Accommodation or Touring

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Attractions & Tour options below

RENMARK

HOUSEBOATS
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ACCOMMODATION
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ATTRACTIONS & TOURS
Renmark River Cruises
Customs House
The Great Murray River Run

ANGOVES PTY LTD. WINEMAKERS AND DISTILLERS - Map (1 D13 - BOOKMARK AVE. RENMARK. PH (08) 8580 3100. A family owned company, the home of St

Agnes Brandy, Stones Ginger Wine and a fine range of table and fortified wines. The staff at cellar door sales invite you to sample their fine range of products.

Open 9 am - 5 pm Monday to Saturday.

OLIVEWOOD HISTORIC HOMESTEAD AND MUSEUM - Map (1 E1O - CNR RENMARK AVENUE & 21ST, RENMARK, PH (08) 8586 6175. The home of the Chaffey Bros, founders of Australia’s first irrigation settlement in Renmark in 1887. View pinelog home, early photos and memorabilia. Morning and afternoon tea available. Light luncheon by arrangement. Closed Wednesdays. Open Tues 2 pm - 4 pm, Thurs. to Mon. 10 am - 4 pm.

RENMANO WINES - CELLAR DOOR SALES - Map Ct) F12 - RENMARK AVENUE, RENMARK, PH (08) 8586 6771. Compliment your stay in Renmark with a visit to our

Cellar Door sales, where staff will be pleased to show you our range of award winning wines available for tasting. Open 9am - 5pm Mon to Fri. 9 am - 4 pm Sat.

10 am - 2 pm Public Holidays.

NUTS ABOUT FRUIT - 22 RENMARK AVENUE, RENMARK, PH (08) 8586 4090. Healthy dried fruit, nuts, slices and no-added sugar products. Indulge with chocolates, gourmet goodies, gift baskets and souvenir range. Open 9 am - 5.30 pm Mon to Fri. 9 am - 1pm Saturday, Sunday 10 - 1pm.

RUSTONS ROSE GARDEN - Map (T) J14 - MOORNA STREET, RENMARK, PH (08) 8586 6191. Enjoy 27 acres of flowering trees, shrubs, camellias, hibiscus amongst

50 000 rose bushes. The largest rose garden in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy the scenery from the lookout or just wander through the Garden. Open Daily 9 am to

6 pm (Closed during Winter)

GRAPE VINE BOOK AND GIFT SHOP - Map m E7 - RAL RAL AVE, RENMARK, PH (08) 8586 4340. A unique inspirational Christian Boutique selling gifts, books, cards, plaques and much more. All visitors welcome. Located next to the police station in the Institute Building.

PARINGA BRIDGE - Map (T) K4 - STURT HIGHWAY, PARINGA, PH 0408 839 494. The Paringa lifting-span bridge is one of 10 still spanning the River Murray. Opened in 1927, the lift span still opens to allow river cruisers and houseboats to ply the waters of the Murray. Opening times are at 9.30 am and 2.30 pm Mon. to Fri. depending on the river traffic.

Other lifting span bridges cross the river at Paringa, Abbotsford (at Curlwaa)
Robinvale, Tooleybuc, Nyah, Swan Hill, Murrabit, Koondrook, Tocumwal, Cobram

LOCK 5 - Map (T) K7 - LOCK FIVE ROAD, PARINGA, PH (08) 8595 5114. Situated in the township of Paringa, Lock 5 was built during the 19205 to regulate the flow of the River Murray. Open to the public between the hours of 9 am to 4 pm.

BREDL’S WONDER WORLD OF WILDLIFE - Map Ref - Come and see a unique collection of animals and reptiles. Australia’s largest snakes. Meet a kangaroo. Make friends with Abu the Monkey. Pat Xena the Dingo. Special animal shows 11am and 1pm school and public holidays, also weekends. Situated on the corner of Sturt Highway and 28th street Renmark. Open lOam - 5pm Saturday-Thursday, Closed Friday’s except long weekends and school holidays.

LOOKOUT - Map (T) K3 - LOOKOUT DRIVE, PARINGA. This lookout provides a very good platform for viewing the Renmark township and the Paringa Bridge.

- Map (D) No.7 - CHINO STREET, RENMARK. Renmark Rotary Club constructed the lookout in 1961 on the highest point in Renmark. When facing the river one can see the cliff top homes of Paringa on the right and to the left is the soldier settlement area of Cooltong.

- Map (D) No.9 - MURTHO ROAD, PARINGA. This spectacular setting is best at sunrise or sunset with a view of the river and the changing colours on the cliff. The site is 15 kms out from Paringa.

ART, CRAFT & ANTIQUES

CAMMIES COUNTRY LIVING - Map (T) L3 - STURT HW PARINGA, PH (08) 8595 5400. A wide range of antiques, furniture, china, books, homemade jams and sauces and other collectable items. Come in and browse through Cammies Country Living. Open 7 Days from 10 am.

CHAFFEY THEATRE - Map (T) E8 - 18TH ST (Enter via 17th St), RENMARK, PH (08) 8586 1800. The Riverland Mallees premier arts and entertainment venue. Live shows, concerts, theatre productions, conferences, meetings, church services and latest release films. Exhibitions in the foyer gallery.

FRANK HARDING GALLERY - Map (T) E7 - CNR 16TH ST/ MURTHO ST, RENMARK, PH (08) 8586 6972. View the mural of Australia’s bushrangers . 800 sq ft of history with audio commentary. Or savour They flew for the King, a collection of aviation paintings signed by the pilots. Open by appointment.

GOANNA HILL GALLERY- Map (1 M2 - STURT HWi, PARINGA, PH (08) 8595 5420. An art gallery with a difference. Steve Everingham is an experimental artist whose work covers a wide spectrum of subject matter from river scenes to stylised flora and fauna. There is also a range of sculptures, pottery and Australian opals on display. Open daily 10 am to 5.30 pm.

OZONE GALLERY - Map (T) E7 -The INSTITUTE BUILDING (Near the Police Station) RAL RAL AVE, RENMARK, PH (08) 8586 6368. This Gallery is full of wonderful locally produced art and craft. Browse in the Ozone and take home a memory of the Riverland. Open Mon - Fri 9.30 am to 5 pm. Sat 9.30 am to 4 pm. Sun 1 pm to 4 pm.

CINNAMAON GROVE- Map (1) ElO - 242 RENMARK AVENUE, RENMARK, PH/FAX (08) 8586 4265. Cinnamon Grove is a delightful treasure trove full of beautiful gifts and handicrafts. Found on the main highway into Renmark, Jenny welcomes you 7 days a week. Tea & Coffee is available and there’s an area for children to play. Recycled furniture, teddies, bear paintings & dolls are just a few of the delights you’ll find. •Fairy Parties also available Open Monday - Saturday lOam - 4pm, Sundays & Public holidays Noon - 3pm.

PITMAN’S FURNITURE - MAP (0) MAIN RD, COOLTONG, PH (08) 8595 7340. Custom made furniture, Specializing in native hardwoods including local Redgum. Furniture on display for sale and always something new in the workshop happeninhg. Come out and have a browse. Open most days or by appointment.

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

RENMARK PARINGA VISITOR CENTRE - Map (T) F 7 - MURRAY AVE, RENMARK, PH (08) 8586 6704, tourist( Choose from local, state and interstate information and browse through our extensive range of souvenirs and locally made art and craft. The enclosed interpretive disply is also very informative with access to the PS Industry moored at the private wharf. Open 7 days. Monday- Fnday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm, Sunday & Public Holidays lOam - 4pm, Closed Chnstmas day & Good Fnday.

See extended or more on-line clips at the Video Shop

Things to do and See

Visitor information Renmark paringa visitor information centre

ART, CRAFT & ANTIQUES

Visitor information
Renmark paringa visitor information centre