Mannum river ferry

Mannum SA 5238 (Pop 2 600)

Mannum is one of the Murray River’s oldest towns located 108 km east of Adelaide. Original inhabitants were the Naralte Aborigines with European settlement beginning  from 1850s with the advent of paddle steamers along the river. The 1870s & 80s saw many Germans settle in the area and in 1894 Australia’s first steam car was built by a local, David Shearer. Today Mannum attracts holidaymakers seeking watersports, fishing, bird watching and peace & quiet. Mannum Big River Fishing Competition (Feb), Houseboat Hirers’ Open Days (May).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Mannum Dock Museum, Randell St excellent indigenous and European settlement displays, photographs and memorabilia. Outside in Randell’s Dry Dock, the PS Marion (1897) is moored. Mary Ann Reserve (riverbank) picturesque recreational reserve with a charming rotunda, original PS Mary Anne pump and whaleboat replica. Scenic Lookout, Crawford Cres beautiful town and river vistas.

Nearby:
Mannum Falls (6 km s-e) pretty recreation area with stunning falls after rains. Lowan Conservation Park (28 km east) mallee scrub reserve rich in wildlife particularly the mallee fowl.

Accommodation:
Mannum has a motel, a couple of hotels, a B&B, a farm stay, 2 caravan parks with cabins and houseboats for hire. Visitor Information Centre: 6 Randell St. Tel (08) 8569 1303.   

Airport:
Adelaide Airport (ADL), 1 James Schofield Dr, Adelaide Airport. Tel (08) 8308 9211. 113 km west).

Hospital:
Mannum District Hospital, Parker St. Tel (08) 8569 0200.