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Melrose South Australia
- Wander * Explore * Discover
- Jul 6, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Melrose South Australia
Melrose is a charming, historic town in the foothills of the spectacular Mount Remarkable, offering a perfect mix of heritage, nature, and small-town hospitality. It is the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges, and it was officially proclaimed in 1853.
Melrose is located 276 kilometres north of Adelaide in the Southern Flinders Ranges, and the town is surrounded by rugged landscapes, native wildlife, and scenic walking trails, making it a must-visit stop for anyone exploring this iconic region of South Australia.
Melrose Town Centre
Melrose has two great country pubs, several cafes, a mini supermarket and fuel supplier, a post office, a caravan park, a mountain bike store and Jacka Brothers Brewery.
A stroll through Melrose is like stepping back in time. The town’s compact streets are lined with beautifully preserved heritage buildings, many dating back to the 19th century, each with its own story to tell. The Melrose Historical Walk is the perfect way to explore these treasures at your own pace, guiding you past charming cottages, former businesses, and public buildings that showcase the town’s rich past. Along the way, you can pause in the town’s lovely parks, perfect for a quiet break under shady trees, and soak in the relaxed country atmosphere.
Melrose Museum
One of the best ways to dive into Melrose’s rich and colourful past is a visit to the Melrose Heritage Museum, a fascinating complex of historic buildings right in the heart of town. Run by dedicated local volunteers, the museum brings more than 160 years of regional history to life through interpretive displays, artefacts and audiovisual exhibits that explore everything from early Aboriginal culture and pioneering settlement to law and order on the frontier and the tough realities of rural life in the 19th century. The museum is housed in original stone structures, including the old police station, courthouse, stables and lock‑up. The museum also doubles as a valuable research hub, with archives full of photographs, documents and local material dating back to the earliest days of Melrose and its surrounding districts.
Jacka Brothers Brewery
Jacka Brothers Brewery is housed in a restored 19th‑century stone structures that once served as a flour mill and later a brewery. This iconic venue has been thoughtfully revived to capture its original charm while adding contemporary comforts and flavours.
In the Taphouse, you can sip boutique beers, ciders, local wines and spirits, including their own Remarkable Ale and Melrose Bitter, that go well with their wood‑oven pizzas. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with outdoor seating under towering gums, panoramic views of the Southern Flinders Ranges, and plenty of space to linger over a long lunch or an afternoon drink.
If you’re making a weekend of it, there’s accommodation onsite too, from a cosy two‑bedroom Brewer’s Cottage to a stylish four‑bedroom Brewery Guesthouse — all just a short stroll from Melrose’s main street.
Mt Remarkable
Mount Remarkable is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails that cater to all levels of experience. From gentle walks that wind through native bush and wildflowers to more challenging climbs that reward you with panoramic views, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
One of the highlights is the historic War Memorial, perched on a hilltop near the town. From this vantage point, you can take in sweeping views over Melrose, the surrounding farmlands, and the rugged peaks of the Southern Flinders Ranges — especially stunning at sunrise or late afternoon when the landscape glows in warm tones. Along the trails, keep an eye out for native wildlife, including kangaroos, emus, and a variety of bird species.
Things to do near Melrose
Alligator Gorge is a spectacular natural destination in the Mount Remarkable National Park in South Australia. Despite the name, there are no crocodiles or alligators here — the gorge gets its name from early local history and perhaps the rugged, tooth-like feel of its quartzite walls. Over millions of years, Alligator Creek has carved this dramatic chasm into ancient rock, creating a dramatic series of walls, terraces, narrow creek beds and lookouts that invite exploration.
It is located approximately 25 kilometres from Melrose, and it's a great place to hike, picnic and relax.
Hancock's Lookout
Perched atop Horrocks Pass, Hancock’s Lookout offers one of the most spectacular vantage points in the Southern Flinders Ranges. From here, you can soak in sweeping panoramas across Spencer Gulf, with glimpses of Port Augusta, Port Bonython, and the rugged contours of Mount Laura and the Middleback Ranges stretching into the distance. The lookout is especially stunning at sunrise or sunset, when the gulf shimmers in golden light and the surrounding hills are bathed in warm tones.
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