Settlement history

European settlement of Campbelltown dates from the 1830s when land was first surveyed. Settlement began on the banks of the Torrens River in the early 1840s, with a portion of this land subdivided in 1849. Small townships developed at Athelstone, Campbelltown, Magill and Paradise, influenced by the routes of the horse-drawn and electric tramways. Many market gardens were established in the area during the late 1800s. Significant development did not occur until the post-war years of the 1950s, with many Italian migrants moving into the area. The population in 1960 was about 15,000 people. Residential development and population exploded in the 1960s, then began to slow in the 1970s. During the 1980s the population stabilised, with slight growth from the early 1990s. The population increased from about 43,000 in 1991 to nearly 48,000 in 2011, with the majority of this new dwelling construction occurring in Magill, Paradise, Rostrevor and Tranmere, and more recently in Campbelltown. Newer development has often been of an infill character, with many two storey dwellings.

Land use

The City of Campbelltown is predominantly a residential area, with parklands, reserves and retail/commercial areas. The City encompasses a total land area of about 24 square kilometres.

Major features

• Major features of the City include the University of South Australia (Magill Campus),
• North Eastern Community Hospital,
• Newton Gardens Shopping Centre,
• part of Black Hill Conservation Park,
• Migrant Monument,
• Geoff Heath Golf Course,
• Campbelltown Leisure Centre,
• Lochend House,
• River Torrens Linear Park,
• Thorndon Park and Lochiel Parklands.

Included areas