Grapepicking at Padthaway


Landrover on a Pole - Keith


Albino kangaroo - Bordertown

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THE TATIARA

The beautiful, grain producing area of South Australia known as the Tatiara is the first part of the state visitors along the Western Hwy from Victoria will encounter. It begins at the border and skirts the (now Dukes Hwy) for around 100km through Bordertown and Keith towards Tintinara, and south of the highway towards Naracoorte. The region takes its name from that used by the local aboriginals to describe their country which comprises some 6,500 square kilometres.
Predominantly a grain producing area it has much to offer the visitor including a major wine producing region, nearby World Heritage listed caves, thriving rural towns, a sanctuary for rare Albino Kangaroos, historic World War 11 relics, the boyhood home of former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, a large section of the Tolmer Gold Escort Route which kept South Australia solvent during the mid 1800s by escorting gold from the Victorian Goldfields overland, and historic buildings and museums to visit.
There are golf courses, sporting venues, good sized shopping centres in Keith and Bordertown, nature and art walks, bike and wine trails, and assorted accommodation throughout the region with motels in Keith, Bordertown and nearby Naracoorte, caravan parks, B&Bs and farm stays.
The southern reaches of the area, particularly along the Riddoch Hwy and Frances Rd are, to me, among the most typical scenery of Australia you will see. Large paddocks with healthy grain crops stretch as far as the eye can see. These are interspersed with healthy green paddocks filled with sheep grazing among some of the most spectacular red gums I have seen. The panorama is right out of a Tom Roberts or Hans Heysen painting and offers many opportunities to get beautiful rural photagraphs.
Bordertown and Keith have all the facilities you need and there are general stores and fuel available at Willalooka and Padthaway.
See individual town links below for more information on the towns of The Tatiara.

INFORMATION:
Bordertown Visitor Information Centre.
Tolmer Park. Bordertown. 5268 S.A.
(08) 8752 0700

Keith Visitor Information. Carrie's Cottage
Makin St. keith. 5267 S.A.
(08) 8755 3200

Naracoorte Visitor Information Centre.
36 McDonnell St. Naracoorte. 5671 S.A.
(08) 8762 1399

MAJOR AREA FEATURES:

  • Bool Lagoon Game Reserve: Naracoorte
  • Mt Monster Conservation Park: Keith
  • Naracoorte Caves Reserve: Naracoorte

    MAJOR TOWNS:
  • Bordertown
  • Keith
  • Padthaway
  • Mundulla
  • Wolseley

    ACCOMMODATION:
    Motels, hotels, caravan parks, B&Bs, houseboats and holiday homes and flats will all be found in the Tatiara. Use accommodation search opposite.