Adelaide, South Australia

Echunga

Echunga is a small town in the Adelaide Hills. The area was initially settled in 1839, with the town laid out in 1849. The town reputedly takes its name from a Kaurna word 'eechungga' which may mean either 'a short distance' or 'close by'. For a brief time Echunga prospered and it has been estimated that at its peak it had grown to a population in excess of 1,200.

Where is it?: Adelaide Hills. 34 km south-east of Adelaide.

Echunga is located in the Battunga region, which encompasses the towns of Meadows, Macclesfield, Echunga, Flaxley, Prospect Hill, Paris Creek, Kuitpo and Jupiter Creek. A rich tapestry of histories from the hustle of the gold rush era to agricultural pursuits on some of the most productive land in South Australia all combine to make a fascinating road of discovery as you tour the region.

Whether it be bicycling, fossicking for gold, visiting our weekly markets and events, enjoying the wineries, bakeries, cafes and village pubs, or simply relaxing in the tranquil atmosphere there is something for everyone.



Hagen Arms: The facade of the Hagen Arms - one of the oldest pubs in South Australia - is remarkably uncluttered compared to some in rural South Australia. The pub is named after the town's founder, Joseph Hagen, and has a commanding view down the main street. The crest on the front says "by appointment to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh - 1867". In 1867, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh dined at the hotel on his way to Lake Alexandrina. This increased the status of the hotel and enabled it to display a coat of arms.



St Mary's Anglican Church and Cemetery: This is one of South Australia s most picturesque churches and cemeteries and the 7th oldest surviving Anglican churches in the state. It is also the oldest surviving building in the town of Echunga. The building was constructed on the chosen site on a hill overlooking the town - a hill which is now known as 'Church Hill' and is traversed by Church Hill Road. The church was not completed until 1853 when the porch was roofed and detailing completed. It has continued to serve as a local church and serve an important role in the lives of the community for over 150 years.

Other historic buildings of note in the town include the former school house and teacher's house (1862), 19 Church Hill Road; Police Station, cells, stables and walls, 6 Church Street (1874-1880); 1870s house, 1 Marianna St,;Echunga Cemetery, Strathalbyn Rd (1882); abandoned Hayward Farm complex, off Braendler Rd (1840s);

Jupiter Creek Goldfields

After the discovery of gold in Victoria, many South Australians left the colony in search of the elusive 'lucky strike'. In an effort to stem this mass exodus, the South Australian Government offered a 1,000 pound reward for the discovery of a payable goldfield. The first claim for this reward was made by Messrs. Chapman, Hampton and Hardimann in August 1852, three months after William Chapman had discovered gold at Echunga.

Gold was discovered in 1852 and Echunga became the first proclaimed goldfield in South Australia. This led to a gold rush; however, it did not last long with the diggings exhausted and all but abandoned within a year. Subsequent discoveries in 1853 and 1854 led to smaller and equally short-lived rushes. In 1868 more gold was discovered at nearby Jupiter Creek, which proved to be a much larger and long-lived field.

Visit the old diggings at Chapel Hill and follow the sign-posted path to find some of these relics then on to Jupiter Creek to follow the Heritage Trail which interprets successive phases of mining at that site. It includes the 1869 chimney associated with the Beatrice Gold Mining Company, sluicing dam (1906) and the Fossicking is permitted at both sites but mechanical implements are not allowed and holes must be backfilled.