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Clare
	Clare; South Australia
Population:	3063 (2006 Census)
Established:	1842
Postcode:	5453
Mayor:	Allan Aughey
Location:	136 km (85 mi) north of Adelaide; 92 km (57 mi) north of Gawler;
LGA:	District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys
Region:	Mid North
State District:	Frome
Federal Division:	Wakefield

The town of Clare (postcode 5453) is located in South Australia in the Mid North region, 136 km north of Adelaide. It gives its name to the Clare Valley wine and tourist region.

[edit] History

One of the first settlers in the area was John Horrocks, in 1839. The town itself was established in 1842 by Edward Burton Gleeson, and named after his ancestral home of County Clare in Ireland^[2].

The town was first named Inchiquin, which this was later changed. Lake Inchiquin is now the name of a reservior located to the north of the town, near the golf club.

A railway line was built from Riverton to Clare in 1919 and on to Spalding in 1922. It closed in 1974 and the tracks were removed in the 1980s after damage caused by the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983. The alignment now carries the Riesling Trail walking and cycling trail.

The layout of the town's road system was apparently designed by a draftsman in Adelaide, without any knowledge of the local geography.^{[citation needed]} There are several roads in Clare that end abruptly at a cliff face, only to continue again at the top of the cliff.

Clare today is a vibrant rural town and Regional centre. A diverse local economy of Grape -growing, Wine Production, Broadacre farming (incl. wheat, barley, beans, canola), Livestock rearing (merino sheep, cattle, pigs, chickens) Light Manufacturing and Tourism drive a booming, resilient local economy. The annual Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend, held each May for over 20 years, is a major event that attracts foodies and wine-lovers from afar. The town boasts 3 Hotels, major chain stores, several restaurants, in addition to regular services such as Post Office, Newsagent, Library, Petrol stations, etc. A myriad of accommodation options are available from back-packer, Caravan & Motor-home Parks, hotel, motel, Bed & Breakfast and Holiday cottages. Check out the local tourist office for details. Clare has become recognised for its 'experiences', including the famed Riesling Trail walking and cycling route between Clare and Auburn (25km), on the former railway line.

[edit] Governance

Clare is governed at the local level by the District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys. Clare lies in the state electoral district of Frome and the federal electoral division of Wakefield.

[edit] See also

Clare Valley

[edit] References

^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Clare (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=SSC43326&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
^ Rodney Cockburn (1908, revised 1984). What's in a name? Nomenclature of South Australia. Fergusson Publications.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 33°50′S 138°36′E / 33.833°S 138.6°E / -33.833; 138.6

This South Australia geography article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[0] Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Clare (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=SSC43326&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2008-05-17.

[1] Rodney Cockburn (1908, revised 1984). What's in a name? Nomenclature of South Australia. Fergusson Publications.

[1]

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Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Governance

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links