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Accommodation in Blanchetown >> Portee Station Blanchetown is a town that, throughout its history, has always been destined for bigger things. Developing as a port on the Murray River from the 1850s, Blanchetown's progress ground to a halt when it was bypassed by the railway. Plans to improve the reliability of the Murray as a river trade route by constructing a series of locks and weirs were going to be the town’s next saving grace, but disagreements between the New South Wales, Victorian and South Australian authorities saw this plan postponed. When it finally did eventuate, the days of the river trade were all but over. Blanchetown is today a quiet township perched on cliffs overlooking the Murray River, 132km from Adelaide. A self-guided historical walk around the town is a great way to learn more about its fascinating history. |
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Town Features >>
Post Office ¦ Egerton Street Constructed around 1860, it is said that the Post Office was actually going to be the town’s railway station but the plans for the building were changed when it was decided not to construct a railway line to Blanchetown. Listed on the Register of the National Estate. Lock Number One ¦ Murray River Blanchetown’s major landmark, the foundation stone for Lock Number One was laid in 1915 and the structure was completed in 1922. Through the construction of the series of locks and weirs along the Murray came to late for the river trade, the successful completion of the scheme provided a dependable water supply for the irrigation of agricultural regions and vineyards along the river. |
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Accommodation >>Portee Station Portee Station HistoryPortee Station’s original European settlers would be envious of the luxurious accommodation guests enjoy in the homestead here today. But while a stay here now comes complete with all the modern comforts, it’s some of the simple pleasures the indigenous Ngaiawang Aboriginal people could have enjoyed that are still some of the best on offer here. Enjoy a sunset over the River Murray or spot some of the 133 species of birds identified on the property. Originally part of the Moorunde Station granted to John Eyre in 1841, Portee Station is named from a French word meaning “to carry’, a reference to the fact that vessels and freight needed to be unloaded and carried over the sand bar here during times of low river flow. Today, the ruins of the original station homestead remain on the western bank of the river, despite being destroyed by a flood in 1870. Three years later a new homestead was constructed on the floodplain. Rebuilt in 1995, it is comprised of local lime rock and features wide verandahs, a splendid central hallway and high ceilings that characterise the design of early Australian homesteads. The Clark family welcomes you to some and stay at Portee Station, the ideal place to gain a truly authentic experience of Australian station life in the accessible outback. What we offer
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