River Murray Towns: Blanchetown

• Blanchetown is located approximately 135 kilometres north-east of Adelaide.
• The first European settlement in the area was Moorundie (also spelt Moorunde, Moorundi or Murrundi), the first River Murray settlement in South Australia, in 1841. This settlement was named after the local Aboriginal tribe and also means 'sand' or 'sandy'. It was established by the explorer and Protector of Aborigines, Edward John Eyre, who monitored and attempted to allay the conflicts between the indigenous inhabitants and the overlanders who passed through the area.
• Moorundie became an important rations point, police outpost and port.
• Blanchetown was established in 1855 on the cliffs above the river after flooding had plagued Moorundie. The town was named after Lady Blanche, the wife of Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, South Australia's sixth governor.
• Blanchetown became an important stop-over for stage coaches on the Adelaide-Sydney road.
• In 1922 the first lock and weir on the River Murray was opened at Blanchetown.
• Several historic buildings remain from the mid 19th century when Blanchetown played an important role in transportation with a punt to cross the river, and a Customs House for goods being sent to eastern colonies.

Further reading

Visitors guide to Blanchetown, Morgan, Cadell and Waikerie in SA's beautiful Riverland, [Waikerie, SA?, 1995]

Links

RiverMurray.com - Blanchetown