About

Our Town

À propos de notre ville

Auburn is one destination in the Clare Valley that you cannot go past. The town of Auburn, has its historic past on proud display. As you travel around the town, its sense of a quaint village with so much to offer will embrace you, and you will have the opportunity to enjoy the well preserved buildings, the Wakefield River walk, Riesling and Rattler Trails, local restaurants and local vineyards.

Auburn has a strong and diverse community with varied services, facilities, activities and places for all to use and enjoy. With many local businesses offering a wide range of services from agricultural services to hairdressing, the local IGA, Post Office and well-being services including a doctors surgery, pharmacy, physio and massage.

Auburn is an Arts centre, with galleries and musical entertainment centre stage of the activities on offer. It also the birthplace of the well-known poet, CJ DENNIS. The biennial Auburn Frenchfest is a significant cultural and arts festival staged all over the village in September.

The food and wine offerings in Auburn are world class and you have a choice of wineries, restaurants and cafes to enjoy. You will also find sports clubs, the CFS and other groups to join.

Auburn is a natural cross road to all the Clare Valley and the greater Mid North has to offer. As the southern starting point of the Riesling Trail and the northern starting point of the Rattler Trail it is the perfect destination to explore the region from. With a rich Bed and Breakfast industry, coupled with rolling hills of vines and farmland, Auburn is the perfect country destination. Clean air, wild-life and thousands of stars are more reasons to stay.

Auburn offers visitors an attractive variety of accommodation, many heritage buildings of architectural and historic merit, craft shops and wineries, all within easy walking distance.

Be careful… you may never want to leave, and you may find yourself staying right here in Auburn!

Auburn History

Auburn, the southern gateway to the Clare Valley, is rich in history and built heritage. As early as 1839, in South Australia’s infancy as a colony, pioneers grazed sheep and cattle in the district. When established in 1849, the township was named Tateham’s Waterhole, after the first settler, William ‘Billy’ Tateham, who, reputedly, lived in a dugout on the side of the River Wakefield. In 1856, it was renamed after the Irish town of Auburn.

Discovery of copper at Burra

With the discovery of copper at Burra to the north-east, Auburn flourished as a resting place for the ‘bullockies’ and ‘muleteers’, the men responsible for carting copper ore from the mines at Burra to the gulf at Port Henry (now Port Wakefield).

Original stone buildings

The township retains much of its charm as well as its original stone buildings, many of which are listed on the National Trust, State Heritage and National Estate Registers. A number of these buildings have been converted into heritage-style accommodation and outlets catering for locals and visitors alike.

C.J. Dennis

One of Australia’s greatest poets, C.J. Dennis, was born in Auburn in 1876. He is best known for the immensely popular ‘The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke’, published in 1915. An annual festival is held in Auburn to celebrate his life and work.