Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Rural City of Murray Bridge were the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from the 1830s, with land used mainly for pastoral purposes. Population was minimal until 1879 when a road bridge was constructed over the Murray River. The township of Murray Bridge was laid out in 1883, developing as a port along the Murray River. Growth took place during the 1880s and 1890s, spurred by the opening of the Adelaide-Melbourne railway line in 1886, growth in farming and industry, and the development of irrigation. Population growth continued into the 1930s, aided by land reclamation and irrigation. Expansion occurred during the 1970s and 1980s, mainly within the urban centre of Murray Bridge, with the population of the City rising from under 9,000 in 1961 to over 15,000 in 1986. The population gradually increased from the mid 1990s, rising from under 16,000 in 1996 to about 19,500 in 2011, with most of this growth occurring in the township of Murray Bridge. Growth is expected in the future, largely from the mixed use development south of the township at Gifford Hill.

Land use

The Rural City of Murray Bridge is a rural and rural-residential area, with growing township areas. Most of the population live in the urban area of Murray Bridge, with the remaining population living in the smaller towns and villages of Callington, Jervois, Mypolonga, Wellington, Woodlane and Woods Point, and the sparsely settled hinterland. Rural land is used largely for dairy farming and sheep grazing, with some vegetable and crop growing. The City encompasses a total land area of about 1,800 square kilometres.

Transport

The Rural City of Murray Bridge is served by the South Eastern Freeway and the Princes Highway.

Major features

• Major features of the Rural City include the Murray River,
• Lake Alexandrina,
• Ferries-McDonald Conservation Park,
• Kinchina Conservation Park,
• Monarto Conservation Park,
• Monarto Woodlands Conservation Park,
• The Murray Bridge Town Centre,
• Murray Bridge Marketplace,
• Monarto Zoo,
• Murray Bridge Speedway,
• Monarto Moto X Track,
• Murray Bridge Regional Gallery,
• Mulga’s Wildlife Sanctuary & Park,
• Captain’s Cottage Museum,
• The Bunyip,
• Sturt Reserve,
• TAFE SA (Murray Bridge Campus),
• Lavender Federation Walking Trail,
• various river cruises and the Great Southern Rail (The Overland Train).

Included areas