Poochera, South Australia
Encyclopedia
Poochera is a small grain
belt town
located 60 km North West of Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula
, South Australia
. At the 2006 census
, Poochera had a population of 185.
The township
of Poochera was not surveyed until 1920, and its name is thought to be taken from the name of King Poojeri, a local aboriginal
who died in 1917. A nearby hill is also named Poochera, possibly stemming from the same origin.
The town had a school
which opened in 1920, but closed its doors in 1976.
Poochera is the centrepoint of a large agricultural area, the town itself being a strategic grain exchange
point for the region's farmers, who specialise in cereal crops and sheep.
The town is 53 km away from the Gawler Ranges
, and is commonly used as a stop off by tourists, who have access to a hotel
and caravan park.
Poochera, however, is probably best noted for its nearby colonies of Dinosaur Ant (Nothomyrmecia macrops), a rare, primitive species of ant
that has attracted entomologists and evolutionary biologists from around the world. Only one other colony near Penong
, 180 km away is known to exist.
Apart from the Poochera Hotel and Caravan Park, the town is served by a roadhouse
where most general supplies can be purchased.
GRAIN
GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...
belt town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
located 60 km North West of Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula is a triangular peninsula in South Australia. It is bounded on the east by Spencer Gulf, the west by the Great Australian Bight, and the north by the Gawler Ranges. It is named after explorer Edward John Eyre who explored some of it in 1839-1841. The coastline was first explored by...
, 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...
. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Poochera had a population of 185.
The township
Township
The word township is used to refer to different kinds of settlements in different countries. Township is generally associated with an urban area. However there are many exceptions to this rule. In Australia, the United States, and Canada, they may be settlements too small to be considered urban...
of Poochera was not surveyed until 1920, and its name is thought to be taken from the name of King Poojeri, a local aboriginal
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
who died in 1917. A nearby hill is also named Poochera, possibly stemming from the same origin.
The town had a school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
which opened in 1920, but closed its doors in 1976.
Poochera is the centrepoint of a large agricultural area, the town itself being a strategic grain exchange
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
point for the region's farmers, who specialise in cereal crops and sheep.
The town is 53 km away from the Gawler Ranges
Gawler Ranges
The Gawler Ranges are a range of stoney hills in South Australia to the north of Eyre Peninsula. The Eyre Highway skirts the south of the ranges. The Gawler Ranges National Park and Gawler Ranges Conservation Reserve are in the ranges north of Wudinna...
, and is commonly used as a stop off by tourists, who have access to a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
and caravan park.
Poochera, however, is probably best noted for its nearby colonies of Dinosaur Ant (Nothomyrmecia macrops), a rare, primitive species of ant
Ant
Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than...
that has attracted entomologists and evolutionary biologists from around the world. Only one other colony near Penong
Penong, South Australia
Penong is a small South Australian town, located on the Nullarbor Plain. Its location on the Eyre Highway makes it a popular rest-stop for travellers....
, 180 km away is known to exist.
Apart from the Poochera Hotel and Caravan Park, the town is served by a roadhouse
Roadhouse
Roadhouse may refer to:* Roadhouse * Texas Roadhouse, a western theme restaurant chain* Logan's Roadhouse, western theme steakhouse* Receiving house, a type of theatre venue- Film :* Road House ,...
where most general supplies can be purchased.