Echunga
Echunga is a quiet, attractive little township in the midst of fertile acres with cattle and horses grazing. In January 1839 John Barton Hack, a prosperous English Quaker took up a large area of land known as the Echunga Survey. He established an English style estate - Echunga gardens - with dairy herds, fields of wheat, orchards and 12 acres of grapes from which to make his own wine. While Echunga was becoming an organised village community, gold was discovered in Victoria and so the Government of the day offered a reward of 1,000 pounds for the discovery of payable gold in South Australia. Echunga Goldfields have become South Australia’s most productive goldfields.
Today Echunga is a vibrant can do community featuring local shops and businesses, a primary school, a highly visited golf course and a number of community and sporting groups. Echunga has more recently established itself as one of the key equestrian destinations for the Adelaide Hills with many riding schools and stabling facilities surrounding the town. The town also hosts major events such as the All British Day (a classic car show) and frequently hosts stages of the Tour Down Under.
| Places of interest | Recreation areas |
|---|---|
| Jupiter Creek Goldfields Historic mining reserve, with 80 metre tunnel and old shafts open to the public for fossicking. | Echunga Recreation Grounds Echunga Road, Echunga Includes 2 ovals, tennis courts, netball courts, public toilets, BMX track, playground |
| Echunga Golf Course Popular rural 18 hole golf course. | Kidman Trail Head Strathalbyn Road, Echunga |
| Hagen Arms Hotel Historically significant hotel in the centre of the town. | Woodgate Reserve 1A Woodgate Street, Echunga Includes playground and mini urban forest |
| RSL Garden of Remembrance Currently features RSL memorial and WWII Leopard army tank. | The Kidman Trail A trail head for the Kidman Trail is located at the corner of Strathalbyn and Echunga Road, Echunga. The trail is a 269 km multi-use trail for walkers, mountain biking and horse riding. |
| Kangowirrinilla Trail 40km walking and cycling trail that forms a loop with the Heysen Trail click here to view map |
To find out how to connect with and get involved in this community, including sporting and community groups, visit SAcommunity, South Australia's community information directory.
