Melrose SA 5483 (Pop 480)

Melrose is an attractive historic town in the lower Flinders Ranges 275 km north of Adelaide. Proudly known as the ‘oldest town in the Flinders Ranges’, original inhabitants were the Doora Aborigines with European settlement beginning in 1840s. The discovery of copper (1846) although shortlived, substantially helped establish the struggling settlement.

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Melrose includes Mount Remarkable Hotel (1857), Melrose Inn (1857), post office (1865), public school (1878), North Star Hotel (1881). National Trust Musem, Stuart St (1862) comprises the old police station, courthouse, cells and stables. Open (2pm-5pm). Closed Wed. War Memorial & Lookout expansive views and several interesting walks.

Nearby:
Mount Remarkable NP (2 km west) 18 000 ha park within the Southern Flinders Ranges offering, stunning scenery, diverse flora and excellent camping and bushwalking including the Summit Hike (12.5 km, 5 hours, 960 m, medium difficulty). A highlight is stunningly beautiful Alligator Gorge. Cathedral Rock (west) spectacular rock formation. Murray Town (14 km south) attractive rural town with panoramic lookouts, winery and starting point for Port Germein Gorge scenic drive.

Accommodation:
Melrose has a hotel/motel, apartments and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: Melrose Tourist Park. Tel (08) 8666 2060. 

Airports:
Port Pirie Aerodrome (PPI), off Port Pirie Rd. Tel (08) 8632 2261 (67 km south); Port Augusta Airport (PUG), off Eyre Hwy. (71 km n-w).

Hospital:
Port Pirie Regional Health Service, Cnr The Terrace & Alexander St. Tel (08) 8638 4500. (67 km south).