Hindmarsh Island is steeped in Aboriginal & European culture

History of Hindmarsh Island

17,000 years ago - during the ice age the sea level was 150 metures below where it is today. The Murray Mouth was further south of where it is now.

8,000 years ago - sea levels rose to about today's levels.

1830 - Captain Charles Sturt was the first recorded European to set foot on Hindmarsh Island. Sturt used Hindmarsh Island as a viewing point and it was from here that he first sighted the Mouth.

1831 - Captain John William Dundas Blenkinsop led a party from Victor Harbor. On receiving permission from South Australian's first Governor, Sir John Hindmarsh, the island was named 'Hindmarsh Island'.

1849 - The first grazier on the island, Dr. Rankine, was granted an occupational licence.

1850's - A flour mill was constructed.

1854 - Charles Price purchased a large portion of land on the island.

1857 - The first signal mast was constructed at Barker Knoll. The mast conveyed messages regarding the conditions for the safe passage of vessels through the Murray Mouth.

1858 - The first recorded public ferry began operating between Goolwa and Hindmarsh Island.

1858 - The first inter colonial telegraph line passed through Hindmarsh Island, linking Adelaide with Melbourne.

1861 - The Hindmarsh Island cemetery was surveyed for 600 grave sites.

1868 - Charles Price was the first person to introduce Hereford Cattle and Shropshire Sheep into South Australia. Through his Hindmarsh Island property.

1900 - A cheese factory was established.

1914 - An experimental barrage was constructed between Hindmarsh Island and Mundoo Island

1935 - Construction of the Goolwa and Coorong Barrages was commenced.

1940 - Construction of the Goolwa and Coorong Barrages was completed.

1965 - Mains electricity was connected to the island.

1985 - In November, a site covering approximately 140,500 hectares was designed by the Australian Government for inclusion on the list of wetlands of international importance. This list is established under the convention on wetlands. The international treaty signed in RAMSAR, Iran, in 1971, to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wetland areas worldwide.

For more information please contact the Coorong and Lower Lakes Ramsar Implementation Taskforce on 08 8555 0296.

2001 - Hindmarsh Island Bridge was officially opened on 4th March.