Barmera and surrounds South Australia Australia

Barmera was named after the Barmera Aboriginal people that lived on the shores of Lake Bonney. The lake itself was named after Charles Bonney who saw it on the first Sydney to Adelaide overland trek in 1838. Throughout the year the town comes alive for many festivals and events. The Barmera Mainstreet Market held once a month from October to April is no exception. Here you can try and buy local produce, arts and crafts.

Barmera, with its ideal location on the shores of Lake Bonney, is one of the state’s most popular aquatic playgrounds.

Things to do and see

On the Lake
In summer there are boats everywhere. The Yacht Club runs weekly races, which are a great spectacle to watch from the shore. Canoeists and other boaters enjoy great fishing and sightseeing on the lake and adjoining wetlands abound with wildlife. It’s a freshwater lake and is popular with water-skiers, windsurfers and jet ski enthusiasts, and has excellent safe swimming areas. Call into Barmera Disposals and Auto Mart for all your fishing and outdoor needs.

Country Music Hall of Fame
A family-oriented town, it boasts a Country Music Hall of Fame, which includes extensive memorabilia. The town hosts an important annual country music festival attended by people from all over Australia.

Wine, Dine and Produce
Dine overlooking the lake, golf course or vineyards, the choice is yours. Barmera offers diverse dining experiences and boutique wine tasting.

Lakeside Drive-In
Take the family out for the night to one of the few remaining drive-ins in South Australia. Current releases screen each weekend.

Napper’s Ruins
Located on the north side of Lake Bonney, Napper’s Ruins once stood strong as a hotel built for former workers of the Cobdogla Station. It was originally called the Lake Bonney Hotel and consisted of 11 rooms that included a well stocked bar and an eating room that could cater for 12 people. This room was occasionally used as a dance room. The hotel is now nothing more than ruins and includes interpretive information around the site.

Historic Overland Corner Hotel and Walk
The historic Overland Corner Hotel, 18 kilometres north of Barmera, (off the Morgan road B64) is now both pub and museum. John Chambers commissioned the hotel in the 1850s and it was a refreshment point for weary travellers and locals. It’s still as popular today, so stop by, soak up the atmosphere – with a cool drink as a bonus. You might even see the resident ghost!

Explore the many different river environments, from the floodplain and billabongs to the limestone cliffs on the Overland Corner Walking Trail. This trail explores the European and indigenous heritage of the area and features an ochre quarry with fossils.

Heritage Tours
Discover the history of the town and its charming between-war architecture on the Barmera Heritage Walk.

Another part of the area’s twentieth century history is exposed at Loveday, site of a World War Two Prisoner Of War internment camp. While few original buildings remain, the roads and properties still mark the location. A map is available from local visitor information centres and guided tours can be booked to view the ruins.

Accommodation
Barmera has a range of accommodation options, including hotel, motels, country club, lakeside caravan parks, a backpacker hostel, bed and breakfast, self-contained cottages and numerous lakeside camping sites.