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Nuriootpa

Nuriootpa
South Australia
NuriootpaMemorialHall.JPG
Memorial hall
Nuriootpa is located in South Australia
Nuriootpa
Nuriootpa
Coordinates 34°28′0″S 138°59′0″E / 34.46667°S 138.98333°E / -34.46667; 138.98333Coordinates: 34°28′0″S 138°59′0″E / 34.46667°S 138.98333°E / -34.46667; 138.98333
Population 5,704 (2006 census)
Established 1854
Postcode(s) 5355
Location 74 km (46 mi) North East of Adelaide via Australian National Route A20.svg
LGA(s) Barossa Council, Light Regional Council
State electorate(s) Schubert
Federal Division(s) Barker, Wakefield
Localities around Nuriootpa:
Moppa Koonunga Ebenezer,
Greenock Nuriootpa Light Pass, Penrice
Marananga, Seppeltsfield Stone Well, Tanunda, Vine Vale Angaston

Nuriootpa (nyoo-ree-oot-pa, although frequently mispronounced nyoo-ree-oop-ta) 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".

The first recorded Europeans to visit the locality, on 3 March 1838, were the exploration party of John Hill, John Oakden, William Wood, and Charles Willis, en route to the Murray River from Adelaide.

Nuriootpa is situated at the north end of the Barossa Valley, near the Sturt Highway and has a population of over 5704 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 retail businesses have 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.


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