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Mount Remarkable, South Australia

Melrose
South Australia
20100228-Town-Melrose-South-Australia.jpg
Melrose Township with Mount Remarkable in background
Melrose is located in South Australia
Melrose
Melrose
Coordinates 32°49′S 138°11′E / 32.817°S 138.183°E / -32.817; 138.183Coordinates: 32°49′S 138°11′E / 32.817°S 138.183°E / -32.817; 138.183
Population 406 (2011 census)
Established 1840
Postcode(s) 5483
Location 265 km (165 mi) N of Adelaide city centre
LGA(s) District Council of Mount Remarkable
State electorate(s) Stuart
Federal Division(s) Grey
Website Melrose
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
 ? ? 550 mm
21.7 in
Localities around Melrose:
Wilmington Wilmington Willowie
Wilmington
Baroota
Melrose Booleroo Centre
Baroota Bangor
Murray Town
Murray Town
Footnotes Adjoining localities

Melrose is the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges. It is in the shadow of Mount Remarkable, 265 km north of Adelaide, and the town was once named "Mount Remarkable". At the 2011 census, Melrose had a population of 406.

The first European explorer in the area was Edward John Eyre in 1840, closely followed by settlers coming to farm the area. Copper was discovered and mining started in 1846, but it was not economic, and ceased in 1851. The mine was opened again three more times, the latest closure was in 1917.

In 1893 at a time of high unemployment, Wilton Hack founded a communal settlement in the area. At its peak, some 130 settlers were working 1,000 acres of land. By the end of 1895 after a succession of poor seasons around half the settlers had left, and in 1896 the village was closed by the Government.

Today, Melrose is the base for visitors to the Mount Remarkable National Park and centre for the local farmers.

When it was opened in 1848, the police station in Melrose was the base of the largest police district in the world. A constable, two troopers and an Aboriginal tracker were responsible for an area extending to the Timor Sea.

In June, Melrose is home to the Fat Tyre Festival, an off-road bike celebration exploring local bike trails and crowding parades of freak bikes.

In August, Melrose is also home to the King of the Mount trail race. This is a race to the summit of Mt Remarkable during which runners and walkers will ascend over 600M along a 7.7KM trail.

Melrose is home to a caravan park held by 100,000 tourists every year.

The Wilmington railway line from Gladstone opened near Melrose in 1915 and closed in 1969. The station was almost two kilometres north of the town. Melrose is also on the Horrocks Highway, formerly known as Main North Road.

Melrose has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:


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Wikipedia

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