Big Bend, South Australia

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Big Bend
South Australia
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Big Bend
Coordinates 34°38′06″S139°36′54″E / 34.635°S 139.615°E / -34.635; 139.615
Population4 (SAL 2016) [1] [2]
Postcode(s) 5238
Time zone ACST (UTC+9:30)
 • Summer (DST) ACDT (UTC+10:30)
LGA(s) Mid Murray Council
State electorate(s) Chaffey
Federal division(s) Barker
Localities around Big Bend:
Swan Reach
Big Bend
Sunnydale
Footnotes [3]

Big Bend in South Australia is the longest single bend in the Murray River. The area is known for its spectacular riverside cliffs, which are the tallest along the Murray River. The limestone cliffs are rich with millions of ocean fossils and are home to colonies of bats. Caves in the area have been continuously occupied for at least 8,000 years[ citation needed ] and are sacred to the local aboriginal community. There is a collection of holiday shacks located on the banks.

The gazetted locality of Big Bend is on the left bank of the Murray River, upstream of the actual big bend in the river. The opposite bank is in the locality of Sunnydale. The locality is named for the row of shacks on some low ground near river level downstream of the town of Swan Reach. Views of the bend in the river are observed from near the road between Swan Reach and Nildottie which runs along the top of the cliffs. [4]

The river turns northwest just past the southeastern end of the row of shacks, passes a lagoon, then makes the sweeping Big Bend to the right through approximately 180 degrees. Then after an almost straight section, continues the right turn through another 90 degrees before the left turn round Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park. [3]

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Swan Reach is a river port in South Australia 127 km north-east of Adelaide on the Murray River between Blanchetown and Mannum in South Australia. It is on the left bank of the river. The Swan Reach Ferry is a cable ferry crossing operated by the state government as part of the state's road network. Swan Reach, with all parts below Lock #1, is also one of the lowest parts of the river. In 2009–2010 the river was about 1.5 metres below its normal level. In late 2022 and early 2023 the town experienced a flood with river levels not seen since the devastating flood of 1956. Homes and businesses on Victoria street were inundated, along with most of the holiday homes at Marks Landing. Widespread damage was caused. At the 2016 census, Swan Reach had a population of 283.

Punyelroo is a town located on the Murray River in South Australia, Australia, approximately 5 kilometres downstream from Swan Reach, but on the opposite side of riverbank. The town is named after a local homestead. It accessible by sealed bitumen road most conveniently off the Sedan Swan Reach Road or by well made dirt road from Mannum. At the 2006 census, Punyelroo had a population of 256.

Nildottie is a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located on the east side of the Murray River about 99 kilometres (62 mi) east of the state capital of Adelaide and about 40 kilometres (25 mi) north-east of the municipal seat in Mannum.

Jervois is a town in South Australia, on the right (western) bank of the lower Murray River. Jervois is predominantly a farming community, especially dairy farming on the floodplain and gently rising ground behind it.

Lowbank is a locality in South Australia's riverland. It is between the Sturt Highway and the left (south) bank of the Murray River east of Waikerie.

Bowhill is a locality in South Australia. A settlement is located inside a bend on the left (eastern/southern) bank of the Murray River between Mannum and Swan Reach. It is predominantly shacks built facing the river bank. The settlement is in the Mid Murray Council area, but most of the locality is located away from the river and within the District Council of Karoonda East Murray, including the Lowan Conservation Park.

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References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Big Bend (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2016.  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Big Bend (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2016 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  3. 1 2 "Placename Details: Big Bend (LOCB)". Property Location Browser Report. Government of South Australia. 8 May 2008. SA0065586. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  4. "Visit the Majestic Big Bend Cliffs". Mid Murray Council . Retrieved 5 March 2018.