Bird aviaries in Pinnaroo

Red-winged Parrot in aviary, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Red-winged Parrot in aviary, Pinnaroo, South Australia

I have recently written a series of articles on my birding blog (Trevor’s Birding) about the aviaries at the Pinnaroo Caravan Park. Instead of repeating all that information here, I will just link to the relevant articles below. Click on the link to read the article and see the photos I took of the beautiful birds seen there.

While you are there, have a good look around. You will find over a thousand articles, most with photos, about Australian birds.

More scenes of Pinnaroo, South Australia

Institute building, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Institute building, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Pinnaroo in eastern South Australia is a rural centre for the farming community in that part of our state.  There are many fine old buildings in the town, including the Institute hall shown above.

This is a thriving town with many great facilities. The town is obviously well loved as the parks buildings are well cared for and maintained.

School grounds, Pinnaroo, South Australia

School grounds, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Scenes of Pinnaroo, South Australia

Hotel in Pinnaroo, South Australia

Hotel in Pinnaroo, South Australia

When I visited Pinnaroo in eastern South Australia recently I realised I had never actually driven into the the town, nor had a good look around. Normally we have just driven past without stopping; the main road by-passes most of the town. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised.

Pinnaroo appears to be a vibrant rural town with many fine facilities and a good feel about it. I did stop for a morning tea treat from the local bakery. Outlets like this in country towns in Australia are always worth checking out. I was not disappointed; my chocolate coated donut was delicious.

Just like so many country towns in Australia, Pinnaroo boasts several beautiful buildings, including the two pubs shown on this post. I didn’t have the time nor the inclination to test out what they were like inside. Knowing the kind of hospitality such towns exude in abundance, I’m sure I would have been made most welcome.

Hotel in Pinnaroo, South Australia

Hotel in Pinnaroo, South Australia

Pinnaroo wheat silos, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Pinnaroo is a rural centre in the eastern border districts of South Australia. It is a thriving small town with many fine facilities.

As you approach the town on the way to Ouyen in north western Victoria, or going the other way towards Adelaide, the most prominent feature of the town would have to be the towering wheat silos. This is a very productive wheat and other cereal grain growing district. During the summer months the area around the wheat silos are abuzz with activity as the farmers truck in the grain from their crops, ready for storage in the silos. Later it will be trucked interstate for sale or put on to trains heading to Port Adelaide on route for export to many markets overseas, or to local flour mills.

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Pinnaroo in the mallee of South Australia

Mallee scrubland in Pinnaroo, South Australia

Mallee scrubland in Pinnaroo, South Australia

I recently had occasion to visit the township of Pinnaroo in the mallee region of eastern South Australia. The main road by-passes most of the town, so visitors just passing through rarely get a chance to see much of this charming and thriving country town. On this occasion I had to deliver a parcel in the main street. It was the first time I could ever recall seeing more than just the outskirts of the town while driving through.

Pinnaroo is situated in the mallee regions of the state. Mallee is the generic name given to a wide range of eucalyptus trees common in the area. They are also found in other parts of SA, as well as large parts of Western Australia, Victoria and western NSW. Typical of the mallee tree are the multiple trunks stemming from a large root called a lignotuber. This is more commonly called a stump, and can range from the size of a football through to a wheelbarrow or even bigger in older trees. These stumps, when dry, are prized as fire wood for their dense wood and long burning qualities. Sadly, large areas of mallee scrub have been cleared and burnt over the last 175 years and only remnant patches still exist.

In the photo above is one such remnant patch of scrub – right in the heart of town which is unusual but commendable. Most of the surrounding district has been cleared for farming. A typical settler farmer’s cottage can be seen in the photo below. Click on the photo to enlarge the image, and to see the old farm equipment left to rust near the farmhouse.

Further reading:

Old farmhouse near Pinnaroo, South Australia

Old farmhouse near Pinnaroo, South Australia