A day in Bordertown
While Bordertown is a popular refuelling and refreshment stop between Adelaide and Melbourne, it’s also a nice place to spend the day.
This small town on the Dukes Highway, 271km from Adelaide, is the centre of the Tatiara District and the birthplace of Australia’s 23rd Prime Minister, Bob Hawke.
Bordertown’s name provides a clue about its location, although the Victorian border is a further 18km to the east. Whether you’re spending an hour, a day or longer in the area, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy.
See
West of town, Poocher Swamp is a large patch of land so prone to flooding it’s never been cleared for farming. The result is a bird-rich forest of ancient eucalypts.
Located in the Tatiara Civic Centre, Walkway Gallery displays works by artists from the local district and Limestone Coast, as well as hosting state and national touring exhibitions. Upstairs, the Bob Hawke Gallery pays tribute to the former PM, whose childhood home still stands on Farquhar Street.
At the Bordertown Wildlife Park, a mob of white kangaroos is the star attraction among a mixed menagerie of wallabies, peacocks, ducks and emus (main photo).
Eat and drink
For a quick snack, grab a pie and vanilla slice from Bordertown Bakery and enjoy an impromptu picnic among the trees in Tolmer Park, or across the Dukes Highway at the recreation lake.
Soul Café and Wine Bar serves a variety of food, including avocado on toast, pancakes, and even pork dumplings in a chilli oil broth.
Shop
If you’re looking to do a bit of shopping or you’ve forgotten a birthday, head for Ruby Tuesday Gifts and Accessories at Morning Loaf Bakery. And while you’re there, stop and relax with a coffee.
Stay
Overnighters can book a room at Bordertown Motel, just beside the highway. Caravanners can pull their rigs into Bordertown Caravan Park, and there’s a handful of sites 7km north at the golf club.