Jamestown
Town
Population 1408
Jamestown survived the demise of wheat crops in the late 1800s to become an important service town to the thriving agricultural farmlands of the Clare Valley. John Bristow Hughes took up the first pastoral lease in 1841 and the strength of stud sheep and cattle farms, cereals, dairy produce and timber grew rapidly. A look at the names of towns in South Australia will reveal that the governors, politicians and surveyors of the day were bent on commemorating themselves or people they liked. Jamestown followed this trend, named after Sir James Fergusson, then state governor.
Visitor Information
Country Retreat Caravan Park, 103 Ayr St; (08) 8664 0077
Nearby national parks
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Mount Remarkable National Park
Mount Remarkable National Park, in the southern reaches of the Flinders Ranges, is a beautiful bushland park with pretty creeks, steep...more -
Lake Torrens National Park
The 250-kilometre-long ephemeral Lake Torrens is timeless, wild and starkly photogenic. Protected within Lake Torrens National Park, this is...more -
Flinders Ranges National Park
Flinders Ranges National Park covers a vast ancient landscape of rippled outback terrain and exposed ridges, culminating in the striking...more
Nearby towns
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Peterborough
Peterborough is a town obsessed with the railway. Its very existence and growth can be claimed by that industry. In 1881 the line to...more -
Crystal Brook - Introduction
Crystal Brook serves the sheep and wheat country at the southern point of the Flinders Ranges. It once formed part of a vast sheep...more -
Port Pirie
Industry in its splendour greets the visitor at this major industrial and commercial centre. The oil tanks, grain silos and 250-metre-high...more
In Town
Railway Station Museum: a National Trust museum detailing local rail and Bundaleer Forest history and featuring the Both-designed iron lung (invented at Caltowie); Mannanarie Rd; (08) 8664 0522. Heritage murals: on town buildings. Belalie Creek: parks for picnics along the banks; floodlit at night. Town and cemetery walks: self-guide tours; brochure available from caravan park.
Nearby
Bundaleer Forest Reserve This plantation forest, established in 1876, was the first in the world. Walking tracks start from the Arboretum, Georgetown Rd and the picnic area, and range from botanic walks to historic trails past building ruins and extensive dry-stone walls. The longer Mawson (cycling) and Heysen (walking) trails also travel through the reserve, as does a scenic drive from Jamestown, which then continues towards New Campbell Hill, Mt Remarkable and The Bluff. Each Easter Sunday the Bilby Easter Egg Hunt is held in the reserve. Spalding Rd; 9 km S.Appila Springs: scenic picnic and camping spot; 31 km NW via Appila. Spalding: a town in the Broughton River valley. Picnic areas and excellent trout fishing; 34 km S.
Fishing spots near town
Port Broughton 76 km
Port Broughton is a favourite destination for anglers wanting to fish from charter boats. The boat ramp in the sheltered harbour is next to a small pier complex and is popular for small fish including salmon, Tommy ruff,... Find out morePoint Lowly 80 km
The Point Lowly lighthouse marks the southern extremity of Fitzgerald Bay. Near the lighthouse is a small community of shacks. These lighthouse cottages are cared for by the Uniting Church, and are available for hire. It... Find out moreFitzgerald Bay 83 km
Snapper fishing has a language all of its own. In Queensland and NSW, anglers talk about small snapper as ‘squire’. In Victoria, small snapper are ‘pinkies’; in SA, they are known as... Find out moreWhyalla 96 km
Whyalla is snapper central for anglers. Every Easter the Australian Snapper Championships are based here and the top ten snapper weighed in are always over 10 kg. As you would expect with a destination where fishing is... Find out moreWallaroo 121 km
The small SA seaport of Wallaroo, north of Moonta, offers an excellent base for anglers wanting to catch big snapper, King George whiting, Australian salmon and yellowtail kingfish. Many of the reef systems are close to... Find out moreArdrossan 149 km
Located on the east side of the Yorke Peninsula, Ardrossan is bountiful water just 150 km west of Adelaide, so is a popular weekend fishing destination. Looking out on the long pier at Ardrossan, it’s striking how... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Diving with cuttlefish, off Whyalla 99 km
Every year between May and September, thousands of Australian giant cuttlefish converge on the rocky coastline between Fitzgerald Bay and False Bay at Whyalla (on the Eyre Peninsula’s north-east coast) to breed and... Find out moreAustralian Arid Lands Botanic Garden 111 km
Located at Port Augusta West (at the head of Spencer Gulf) and spread over 200 hectares, this centre showcases the Australian arid landscapes and their vegetation. There are 12 kilometres of walking tracks, guided tours... Find out moreWine-tasting - Nuriootpa and Angaston 145 km
Elderton Wines near Nuriootpa is a carbonneutral winery. Its cellar door is partially solar-powered and the vineyard is using biodynamic methods of production. Yalumba in Angaston has three organic wines and an... Find out moreCycling in the Barossa 150 km
In the Barossa, you can hire bikes from the visitor centre in Tanunda and take the paved 7-kilometre cycle path to Nuriootpa. For a guided, multi-day supported bike tour, sampling the best of the region’s cuisine... Find out moreHeysen Trail 186 km
Some 1200 kilometres long, this renowned walking track stretches from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula all the way to Parachilna Gorge in the northern Flinders. It covers a vast range of scenery from coastal cliffs... Find out moreAdelaide Zoo 190 km
With its catchphrase ‘We exist to save animals from extinction’, this is another of Australia’s excellent zoos. The sea-lion display and walkthrough rainforest aviary are particularly recommended.... Find out moreAboriginal gallery, Adelaide 190 km
The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum holds the largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the world. Some 3000 are on display at any one time.... Find out moreMorialta Conservation Park 191 km
One of the most stunning parks in the region and located only 10 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, this has waterfalls and deep gorges, woodlands, koalas, echidnas and southern brown bandicoots. The pick of the walks is... Find out moreBanrock Station, Kingston-on-Murray 196 km
A world leader in sustainable wine-making and tourism, Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre should be high on any ecotourist’s South Australian wish list. Sample the inexpensive wines at the centre, which is 40... Find out moreSwimming with dolphins off Glenelg 197 km
Since 2002, the eco-accredited Temptation Sailing has offered a ‘swim with the dolphins sail’ on a 17-metre catamaran out of Glenelg, in which the bottlenose and common dolphins reputedly come to the vessel... Find out moreGolf courses around town
The Grange Golf Club (East Course) 187 km
Vern Morcom was working on the final changes to The Grange’s West course redesign when the club announced plans for a second course. Morcom was asked to design it, on 150 acres of adjoining land, and the East... Find out moreThe Grange Golf Club (West Course) 187 km
Melbourne’s sandbelt wasn’t the only region in which golf course construction was booming during the 1920s. Various sites in Adelaide’s western suburbs – Kooyonga in 1922, Glenelg in 1926... Find out moreRoyal Adelaide Golf Club 188 km
In the city of churches, Royal Adelaide is the golfing equivalent of the Vatican. Every visiting golfer should make a pilgrimage to this Dr Alister MacKenzie-designed layout, one of Australia’s top 10 courses,... Find out moreKooyonga Golf Club 191 km
Kooyonga is a thinking player’s golf course. One of the game’s greatest strategists, Peter Thomson, gave an insight into what is required to play well at Kooyonga after winning the 1972 Australian Open... Find out moreGlenelg Golf Club 195 km
Glenelg is to Adelaide what Bondi is to Sydney – the city’s most popular beach suburb. The terminus for the City to Bay tram, a Glenelg icon, can be found where Jetty Rd meets the beach, where you will... Find out moreNearby eco-friendly places to eat
Goodlife 197 km
This innovative restaurant and takeaway not only makes carbon-neutral pizzas, but also places an emphasis on sourcing produce that is organic and local. Takeaway pizzas here even come tied up with string.... Find out moreThe Organic Market and Cafe 200 km
This bustling cafe and organic produce outlet in Stirling was the national winner of the best organic retailer award. Something of an institution in the area, it has delicious antipasto platters and great coffee. About... Find out moreThe Locavore 200 km
The Locavore (‘local eater’) at Stirling in the Adelaide Hills sticks to the ‘100-mile’ philosophy of sourcing food, which in its case includes the Barossa, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and the... Find out moreNearby breweries
Knappstein Enterprise Brewery 69 km
History has turned full circle for the Clare Valley’s Enterprise Brewery, which ceased beer-making operations in 1916, but was revived for its original purpose in 2006. In between time, this gorgeous sandstone... Find out moreCoopers Brewery 185 km
More than any other Australian brewery, Coopers has grown significant market share over the past two decades on the back of increased demand for alternative beer styles. It was established in 1862 by Yorkshireman Thomas... Find out moreBrewboys 185 km
One of the country’s newest craft beermaking enterprises, Brewboys is a partnership between Stephen Nelsen and Simon Sellick, who also operate the contract brewing company Fresh Cellars. At present they utilise a... Find out moreSouth Australian Brewing Company 189 km
Established in 1888, the South Australian Brewing Company became the state’s dominant beer-maker by steadily acquiring competitors like the Kent Town Brewery, West End Brewery and the Walkerville Co-operative... Find out moreAdelaide Hills Craft Brewing 190 km
Located in the former Onkaparinga woollen mill complex at Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills, this brewery/bar is run by Alistair Turnbull and Phil Jones. The pair turned their backs on careers in banking to study brewing in... Find out moreCampsites around town
Curnow’s Hut camping area 16 km
This restored 3-roomed stone hut is in the south of the forest, 15 km south of Jamestown off Bundaleer Gardens Rd. You need to book, as access to the camping area is padlocked. Bring along water and preferably a gas/fuel... Find out moreAppila Springs camping area 26 km
A time-honoured traveller’s stop 8 km north-east of Appila, this camping area is in the rolling farm country of the mid-north. Though on one of the region’s backroads, it’s central to several historic... Find out moreIppinitchie Campground 38 km
Shady, creek-side camping is offered close to the appealing mid-north town of Wirrabara, with its local forest, bush gardens and views from The Bluff. The campsite is just off Forest Rd, 8 km south-west of... Find out moreBunyip Park camping area 47 km
Off the beaten track, Koolunga is a quiet farming town north of Clare. It’s a handy overnight stop for north-bound travellers, and as the site’s name suggests, the town is also renowned for historic sightings... Find out moreWhite Cliffs Reserve 47 km
Come to White Cliffs for pleasant camping beside the Broughton River with its reed-fringed waterholes and stately river gums. You’ll find it on Yacka Rd, 6 km east of Koolunga. Come with firewood and water, and... Find out moreTelowie camping area (walk-in bush camping) 48 km
Remote areas of the park are available for experienced, self-sufficient bushwalkers to use as walk-in campsites. A permit is required.... Find out moreTelowie Gorge camping area 48 km
Basic facilities are provided at this camping area, 27 km north of Port Pirie from the Princes Hwy. Come equipped with wood, water and a permit.... Find out moreRedhill Recreation Ground 51 km
This overnight highway stop on the outskirts of the small farming town of Redhill is 50 km south of Port Pirie. It’s just off the Princes Hwy along an access road to the west of the train line.... Find out moreMelrose Showgrounds camping area 57 km
Creekside camping is permitted on the outskirts of the delightful Flinders Ranges town of Melrose, the oldest town in the region. With sites among mighty river gums, this is a convenient base for enjoying the town or... Find out moreSummit Camp (bush camping) 60 km
In an atmospheric bush setting on the high crest of Mt Remarkable, bush camping is permitted 6 km north-west of Melrose on the Mt Remarkable Summit Hike, which is also part of the Heysen Trail. The site is gas/fuel stove... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Peterborough Caravan Park 33 km
This is a tidy park located off the main road in a quiet part of town, adjacent to the town’s swimming pool. The park has modern amenities and is conveniently positioned for an overnight stop between Broken Hill... Find out moreCrystal Brook Caravan Park 41 km
This is a small, neat council-owned park just on the edge of town. It is a very pretty park with large red gums, a creek alongside, and lawn sites. We find it good value.... Find out morePort Pirie Beach Caravan Park 54 km
This beachfront caravan park is just 1.5 km from the town centre and offers a range of facilities to suit most travellers. Nicely angled drive-through sites, clean amenities and friendly staff make this our pick of the... Find out moreBurra Caravan and Camping Park 61 km
This picturesque park is situated alongside a creek just two minutes walk from the centre of Burra, a historic mining town. The park has good basic facilities and plenty of large shady trees. It is an excellent base from... Find out morePort Broughton Caravan Park 77 km
A large park on the waterfront at the small town of Port Broughton, this is ideal for a quiet break or for fishing and crabbing. Bookings are required in peak periods, and a minimum-length stay period applies at Easter... Find out moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Whyalla Foreshore 97 km
Now part of the Beston Group, this large park close to town has most amenities for tourists. Bookings are required at Easter.... Find out moreShoreline Caravan Park 113 km
This park has good facilities in a quiet, offthe- highway location. It has sea frontage and views of the Flinders Ranges. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out morePort Augusta Big4 Holiday Park 113 km
With very good facilities, this place is strategically based at the junction of the Eyre, Princes and Stuart highways. It can get quite busy here, even in the low season. The park is about 1.5 km from the town centre.... Find out moreNuttbush Retreat Caravan Park 127 km
This park adjoins the huge Pandurra sheep and cattle station, 40 km south-west of Port Augusta on the Eyre Highway. The park has very good facilities, including a licensed bar and restaurant.... Find out moreBarossa Valley SA Tourist Park 145 km
This good quality Barossa Valley caravan park has a large number of sites, a choice of accommodation and a range of facilities including tennis courts. It is within walking distance of the town centre and close to... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Eco-friendly places to stay around town
Rawnsley Park Station 172 km
Eight modern strawbale eco-villas with grand views perch on this sheep station, on the southern slopes of Wilpena Pound. Tourism is now the main industry on the property, and the one- and two-bedroom eco-villas are the... Find out moreClarion Hotel Soho 191 km
Completed at the end of 2008, this five-star boutique hotel was designed with many hidden environmental features, such as water-recycling systems, sustainable building materials and airflow and passive cooling to reduce... Find out moreWillow Springs Station, near Wilpena Pound 195 km
Another working sheep station, Willow Springs on the edge of the national park is home to the legendary six-hour 4WD route Skytrek, passing through Bunkers Conservation Reserve and culminating at the 921-metre-high... Find out moreRest areas around town
Gladstone Park Area 25 km
West side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway near the caravan park. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 16.119 E138 20.999... Find out moreGeorgetown Park Area 26 km
South side of town Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S33 21.634 E138 23.632... Find out moreLaura Park Area 29 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 10.870 E138 18.000 ... Find out moreSpalding Park Area 33 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S33 29.990 E138 36.435... Find out moreIppinitchie Camp Area 38 km
T/O at Wirrabara Small campground located 8 kilometres west of Wirrabara in a natural bush setting in Wirrabara Forest Reserve. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S33 03.996 E138... Find out moreMurray Town Rest Area 45 km
Middle of town Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 56.149 E138 14.447... Find out moreWarnertown Park Area 45 km
Near the hotel Small parking area just off the highway. GPS: S33 14.085 E138 07.106... Find out moreMount Bryan Rest Area 47 km
Middle of town Town park opposite the hotel. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 33.007 E138 53.532... Find out moreOodla Wirra South Rest Area 53 km
3 km S of Oodla Wirra (R) or 31 km N of Terowie (L) Small area among trees. Reasonable shade. GPS: S32 53.957 E139 02.663 ... Find out morePort Germein South Rest Area 56 km
72 km S of Port Augusta (R) or 23 km N of Warnertown (L) Large area well off the road. Limited shade. GPS: S33 02.738 E138 01.822... Find out moreGoyders Line Rest Area 58 km
17 km S of Wilmington (R) or 4 km N of Melrose (L) Large area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S32 48.06 E138 12.30... Find out moreMambray Creek Camp Area 67 km
T/O 48 km S of Port Augusta (L) or 47 km N of Warnertown (R) Large campground located in a natural bush setting 5 kilometres east of the highway at the base of the ranges in Mount Remarkable National Park. Good... Find out moreSnowtown North Rest Area 71 km
62 km S of Warnertown (L) or 53 km N of Port Wakefield (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 44.870 E138 12.577 ... Find out moreMambray Creek Rest Area 71 km
T/O 48 km S of Port Augusta (L) or 47 km N of Warnertown (L) Large areas just off the highway (on both sides) among the trees. Good shade. GPS: S32 50.765 E137 58.937... Find out moreWilmington Park Area 77 km
South side of town Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 39.11 E138 06.06... Find out moreHancocks Lookout Rest Area 77 km
T/O 18 km SE of Princes Hwy (R) or 4 km W of Wilmington (L) Large area 7 kilometres south of the highway at the lookout. Excellent views over the surrounding countryside. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S32 42.20... Find out moreBurra East Rest Area 78 km
21 km SE of Burra (L) or 64 km NW of Morgan (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S33 45.801 E139 07.059... Find out morePoint Lowly Camp Area 80 km
T/O 36 km S of Eyre Hwy (L) or 11 km N of Whyalla (R) Small camp area near the foreshore, 23 kilometres east of the highway. GPS: S32 59.590 E137 46.860... Find out moreBurra Creek Gorge Camp Area 81 km
T/O 16 km SE of Burra (R) or 69 km NW of Morgan (L) Large secluded campground located 11 kilometres south-east of the highway in a natural bush setting on the banks of the creek. Good facilities and shade. GPS:... Find out moreFitzgerald Bay Camp Area 86 km
T/O 36 km S of Eyre Hwy (L) or 11 km N of Whyalla (R) Small camp area located on the foreshore, 24 kilometres east of the highway. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S32 55.296 E137 44.951... Find out moreLake Lochiel Rest Area 89 km
82 km S of Warnertown (L) or 33 km N of Port Wakefield (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 54.807 E138 09.791 ... Find out moreHanson Rest Area 95 km
13 km S of Burra (L) or 28 km N of Manoora (R) Large area among numerous large pine trees. Good shade. GPS: S33 45.158 E138 50.405 ... Find out moreWinkler Park Area 100 km
2 km S of Saddleworth (L) or 7 km N of Riverton (R) Very small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S34 05.892 E138 46.465... Find out moreRiverton South Rest Area 108 km
South side of town Large area among trees. Good shade. GPS: S34 10.287 E138 44.769... Find out moreYunta Rest Area 113 km
Middle of town Town park opposite the hotel. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 34.908 E139 33.749... Find out moreMount Whyalla Rest Area 115 km
11 km S of Eyre Hwy (L) or 36 km N Whyalla (R) Large area just off the highway among the trees. Limited shade. GPS: S32 43.512 E137 30.577... Find out moreInformation Bay Rest Area 117 km
130 km NE of Kimba (R) or 26 km SW of Port Augusta (L) Large area adjacent to the highway at the information bay. Limited shade. GPS: S32 36.974 E137 34.424 ... Find out moreTarlee Park Area 120 km
Middle of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 16.471 E138 46.258... Find out moreTank Hill Rest Area 120 km
126 km NE of Kimba (R) or 30 km SW of Port Augusta (L) Large secluded area just off the highway in the scrub. Limited shade. GPS: S32 37.048 E137 31.647 ... Find out morePort Wakefield South Rest Area No.1 122 km
12 km S of Port Wakefield (L) southbound only Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S34 15.327 E138 13.381... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Producers Market: 1st Sun each month.
Bundaleer Forest Weekend: fine music, food and wine in the autumn; Mar.
Jamestown Show: largest 1-day show in SA; Oct.
Christmas Pageant: Dec.