Nuriootpa, South Australia
Encyclopedia
Nuriootpa is the major commercial centre in the Barossa Valley
in South Australia
, about an hour's drive north of the capital, Adelaide
, and 77 kilometres by rail. The name of the town is reputed to be the local Aboriginal word for "meeting place".
Nuriootpa is situated at the north end of the Barossa Valley
, near the Sturt Highway
and has a population of almost 4500 people, making it the largest town in the area. It is a picturesque town, with grape vines growing on some of the buildings in the main streets, and vineyards surrounding the town. This has led to some contention in recent years, as the town is growing, and new housing estates are being built on land formerly occupied by the vineyards which made the town attractive in the first place. It is also home to some very famous wineries including Penfolds
, Elderton, Kaesler Wines, and Wolf Blass
.
Since the 1930s, Nuriootpa has often been cited as a textbook example of inspired community development. The town's community owned and operated hotel has funded many important public facilities, including the Senior Citizens' Club, the swimming pool, the kindergarten and recreation areas. The short-lived progressive Adelaide movement Common Cause arranged a visit by future Prime Minister Ben Chifley
to Nuriootpa in 1944 which led him, inspired by its approach, to promote the town as a model for community co-operation. The prominent Adelaide architect Louis Laybourne-Smith prepared a plan for the town's recreation and education area, known as its 'War Memorial Community Centre', at this time. Much of this plan has been realised, including Laybourne-Smith's unusual 'fan-shaped' Olympic-sized pool.
Nuriootpa is in the Barossa Council
, although the northern outskirts are in the Light Regional Council
. It is in the state electoral district of Schubert
(and Light for the outskirts) and the federal Division of Barker
(and Division of Wakefield
for the outskirts in the Light Regional Council). The postcode is 5355.
, which was Australia’s premier motor race of that year, was held on a temporary course utilising roads in and around the town of Nuriootpa on 2 January 1950. The race was won by Doug Whiteford
driving a Ford V8
Special.
Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley is a major wine-producing region and tourist destination of South Australia, located 60 km northeast of Adelaide. It is the valley formed by the North Para River, and the Barossa Valley Way is the main road through the valley, connecting the main towns on the valley floor of...
in 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...
, about an hour's drive north of the capital, 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 77 kilometres by rail. The name of the town is reputed to be the local Aboriginal word for "meeting place".
Nuriootpa is situated at the north end of the Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley is a major wine-producing region and tourist destination of South Australia, located 60 km northeast of Adelaide. It is the valley formed by the North Para River, and the Barossa Valley Way is the main road through the valley, connecting the main towns on the valley floor of...
, near the Sturt Highway
Sturt Highway
The Sturt Highway is an Australian highway in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. It is part of the Auslink National network and is part of the main highway route between Sydney and Adelaide.-Route:...
and has a population of almost 4500 people, making it the largest town in the area. It is a picturesque town, with grape vines growing on some of the buildings in the main streets, and vineyards surrounding the town. This has led to some contention in recent years, as the town is growing, and new housing estates are being built on land formerly occupied by the vineyards which made the town attractive in the first place. It is also home to some very famous wineries including Penfolds
Penfolds
Penfolds is an Australian wine producer, founded in 1844 by Christopher Rawson Penfold, an English physician who emigrated to Australia, and his wife, Mary Penfold...
, Elderton, Kaesler Wines, and Wolf Blass
Wolf Blass
Wolf Blass is an Australian winery based in South Australia's Barossa Valley.It was established in 1966 by Wolfgang Blass, a German immigrant from who arrived in Australia in 1961 with little money and a diploma in winemaking. One of his first jobs was with Tolley, Scott and Tolley as a winemaker...
.
Since the 1930s, Nuriootpa has often been cited as a textbook example of inspired community development. The town's community owned and operated hotel has funded many important public facilities, including the Senior Citizens' Club, the swimming pool, the kindergarten and recreation areas. The short-lived progressive Adelaide movement Common Cause arranged a visit by future Prime Minister Ben Chifley
Ben Chifley
Joseph Benedict Chifley , Australian politician, was the 16th Prime Minister of Australia. He took over the Australian Labor Party leadership and Prime Ministership after the death of John Curtin in 1945, and went on to retain government at the 1946 election, before being defeated at the 1949...
to Nuriootpa in 1944 which led him, inspired by its approach, to promote the town as a model for community co-operation. The prominent Adelaide architect Louis Laybourne-Smith prepared a plan for the town's recreation and education area, known as its 'War Memorial Community Centre', at this time. Much of this plan has been realised, including Laybourne-Smith's unusual 'fan-shaped' Olympic-sized pool.
Nuriootpa is in the Barossa Council
Barossa Council
Barossa Council is a Local Government Area in the Barossa Valley in South Australia. It was proclaimed on 1 July 1996 through the amalgamation of several former councils:*District Council of Angaston*District Council of Barossa*District Council of Tanunda...
, although the northern outskirts are in the Light Regional Council
Light Regional Council
Light Regional Council is a Local Government Area north of Adelaide in South Australia. It is based in the town of Kapunda, and includes the towns of Freeling, Greenock, Hewett, Roseworthy and Wasleys.-External links:*...
. It is in the state electoral district of Schubert
Electoral district of Schubert
Schubert is an electoral district of the House of Assembly in the Australian state of South Australia. It is named after Max Schubert, the winemaker of Grange Hermitage...
(and Light for the outskirts) and the federal Division of Barker
Division of Barker
The Division of Barker is an Australian Electoral Division in the south-east of South Australia.The division was created in 1903 and is named for Collet Barker, an early explorer of the region at the mouth of the Murray River...
(and 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...
for the outskirts in the Light Regional Council). The postcode is 5355.
Motor sport
The 1950 Australian Grand Prix1950 Australian Grand Prix
The 1950 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula Libre motor race held at a street circuit in Nuriootpa, South Australia on January 2, 1950. The race was held over 34 laps of the 7.0 kilometre circuit for a race distance of 164 kilometres....
, which was Australia’s premier motor race of that year, was held on a temporary course utilising roads in and around the town of Nuriootpa on 2 January 1950. The race was won by Doug Whiteford
Doug Whiteford
Doug Whiteford was an Australian racing driver.Whiteford was best known as a competitor in the Australian Grand Prix which he won three times in four years. He was fondly remember for his Talbot-Lago T26 Formula One car which he used to win his second and third Grands Prix. His third win was at the...
driving a Ford V8
Ford Flathead engine
The Ford flathead V8 was a V8 engine of the flathead type, designed by the Ford Motor Company and built by Ford and various licensees...
Special.
Community Organisations
Nuriootpa has a number of community organisations (including):- Nuriootpa Rover Football Club http://www.nrfctigers.org/
- Nuriootpa Tennis Club
- Nuriootpa Cricket Club
- Tigers Basketball Club
- Nuriootpa Town Band http://www.nuriootpatownband.com
- Nuriootpa CFS
See also
- Barossa Valley (wine)Barossa Valley (wine)The Barossa Valley is one of Australia's oldest wine regions. Located in South Australia, the Barossa Valley is about 56km northeast of the city of Adelaide...