Clare, South Australia
Encyclopedia
The 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.
, in 1839. The town itself was established in 1842 by Edward Burton Gleeson
, and named after his ancestral home of County Clare
in Ireland
.
The town was first named Inchiquin, which this was later changed. Lake Inchiquin is now the name of a reservoir located to the north of the town, near the golf club.
A railway line was built from Riverton
to Clare in 1919 and on to Spalding
in 1922. It closed in 1974 and the tracks were removed in the 1980s after damage caused by the Ash Wednesday fires
of 1983. The alignment now carries the Riesling Trail
walking and cycling trail.
The layout of the town's road system was apparently designed by a draughtsman in Adelaide, without any knowledge of the local geography. There are several roads in Clare that end abruptly at a cliff face, only to continue again at the top of the cliff.
Clare today is a vibrant rural town and regional centre. A diverse local economy of grape-growing, wine production, broadacre farming (including wheat, barley, beans and canola), livestock rearing (merino sheep, cattle, pigs, chickens), light manufacturing and tourism drive a booming, resilient local economy.
The annual Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend, held each May for over 20 years, is a major event that attracts foodies and wine-lovers from afar.
The town boasts major chain stores, three hotels, several restaurants, and regular services such as Post Office, newsagent, a library and petrol stations.
A myriad of accommodation options are available from back-packing to caravan and motor-home parks, hotel, motel, bed & breakfast and holiday cottages. The local tourist office can provide details.
Clare has become recognised for its 'experiences', including the famed Riesling Trail walking and cycling route between Clare and Auburn (25km), on the former railway line.
. Clare lies in the state electoral district of Frome
and the federal electoral division of 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...
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, 136 km 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...
. It gives its name to the 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....
wine and tourist region.
History
One of the first settlers in the area was John HorrocksJohn Ainsworth Horrocks
John Ainsworth Horrocks was one of the first settlers in the Clare Valley in 1839. He established the town of Penwortham in South Australia. Horrocks is unfortunately known more for his death, when he was accidentally shot in a hunting accident...
, in 1839. The town itself was established in 1842 by Edward Burton Gleeson
Edward Burton Gleeson
Edward Burton Gleeson , also known as “Paddy” Gleeson, was a South Australian settler, farmer and founder of the town of Clare....
, and named after his ancestral home of County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
The town was first named Inchiquin, which this was later changed. Lake Inchiquin is now the name of a reservoir located to the north of the town, near the golf club.
A railway line was built from Riverton
Riverton, South Australia
Riverton is a small town of distinctive character and interest to travellers in the Mid North of South Australia, in the Gilbert Valley. It is situated on the Gilbert River, from which the town derives its name...
to Clare in 1919 and on to Spalding
Spalding, South Australia
Spalding is a town located north of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Australia at . At the 2006 census, Spalding had a population of 212.It is mainly a farming community and also is home to a slate quarry....
in 1922. It closed in 1974 and the tracks were removed in the 1980s after damage caused by the Ash Wednesday fires
Ash Wednesday fires
The Ash Wednesday bushfires, known in South Australia as Ash Wednesday II, were a series of bushfires that occurred in south-eastern Australia on 16 February 1983. Within twelve hours, more than 180 fires fanned by winds of up to 110 km per hour caused widespread destruction across the states...
of 1983. The alignment now carries the Riesling Trail
Riesling Trail
The Riesling Trail is a 35 kilometre walking and cycling track located in the Clare Valley, South Australia. It runs between Auburn and Clare, passing through several towns and villages along the way, including Leasingham, Watervale, Penwortham and Sevenhill. A recent extension now extends 8km...
walking and cycling trail.
The layout of the town's road system was apparently designed by a draughtsman in Adelaide, without any knowledge of the local geography. There are several roads in Clare that end abruptly at a cliff face, only to continue again at the top of the cliff.
Clare today is a vibrant rural town and regional centre. A diverse local economy of grape-growing, wine production, broadacre farming (including wheat, barley, beans and canola), livestock rearing (merino sheep, cattle, pigs, chickens), light manufacturing and tourism drive a booming, resilient local economy.
The annual Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend, held each May for over 20 years, is a major event that attracts foodies and wine-lovers from afar.
The town boasts major chain stores, three hotels, several restaurants, and regular services such as Post Office, newsagent, a library and petrol stations.
A myriad of accommodation options are available from back-packing to caravan and motor-home parks, hotel, motel, bed & breakfast and holiday cottages. The local tourist office can provide details.
Clare has become recognised for its 'experiences', including the famed Riesling Trail walking and cycling route between Clare and Auburn (25km), on the former railway line.
Governance
Clare is governed at the local level by the District Council of Clare and Gilbert ValleysDistrict Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys
The District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys is a local government administrative body located in the wine growing central south region of South Australia...
. Clare lies in the state electoral district of Frome
Electoral district of Frome
Frome is an electoral district of the House of Assembly in the Australian state of South Australia. It is named after Edward Charles Frome, the third surveyor-general of South Australia. The electorate is based around the industrial city of Port Pirie and the agriculture areas of Clare and Gilbert...
and the federal electoral division of 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...