Big Bend, South Australia

Big Bend in South Australia is the longest single bend[dubiousdiscuss] in the Murray River. The area is known for its spectacular riverside cliffs, which are the tallest along the Murray River. The limestone cliffs are rich with millions of ocean fossils and are home to colonies of bats. Caves in the area have been continuously occupied for at least 8,000 years[citation needed] and are sacred to the local aboriginal community. There is a collection of holiday shacks located on the banks.

Big Bend
South Australia
Big Bend is located in South Australia
Big Bend
Big Bend
Coordinates34°38′06″S 139°36′54″E / 34.635°S 139.615°E / -34.635; 139.615
Population4 (SAL 2016)[1][2]
Postcode(s)5238
Time zoneACST (UTC+9:30)
 • Summer (DST)ACDT (UTC+10:30)
LGA(s)Mid Murray Council
State electorate(s)Chaffey
Federal division(s)Barker
Localities around Big Bend:
Swan Reach
Big Bend
Sunnydale
Footnotes[3]

The gazetted locality of Big Bend is on the left bank of the Murray River, upstream of the actual big bend in the river. The opposite bank is in the locality of Sunnydale. The locality is named for the row of shacks on some low ground near river level downstream of the town of Swan Reach. Views of the bend in the river are observed from near the road between Swan Reach and Nildottie which runs along the top of the cliffs.[4]

The river turns northwest just past the southeastern end of the row of shacks, passes a lagoon, then makes the sweeping Big Bend to the right through approximately 180 degrees. Then after an almost straight section, continues the right turn through another 90 degrees before the left turn round Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Big Bend (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2016.  
  2. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Big Bend (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2016 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.  
  3. ^ a b "Placename Details: Big Bend (LOCB)". Property Location Browser Report. Government of South Australia. 8 May 2008. SA0065586. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  4. ^ "Visit the Majestic Big Bend Cliffs". Mid Murray Council. Retrieved 5 March 2018.