Loveday Internment Camps
There were a number of Internment camps located in the Riverland District of South Australia near Barmera. There were three main camps and three wood camps. More information and images for this and other Australian internment camps can be found here.
The camps housed German, Italian and Japanese internees from around Australia, prisoners of war from the Middle East, Pacific Islands and Netherlands East Indies and internees from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Pacific Islands. The first internees arrived at Loveday on 11 June 1941. In May 1943 the complex held its largest number of internees and prisoners of war, 5382.
The last internees were released from Loveday in late February 1946.
Very little if anything remains of the internment camps today as the land on which the camps were located was sold and are now all on private property.
Loveday Internment Camp 9
Loveday Internment Camp 9 comprised a Camp HQ and 40 buildings and a compound rectangular in shape, including a hospital. The compound was able to hold 1000 persons. It commenced operating on the 12th August 1940. The first Italian prisoner arrived on 11 June 1941.
Loveday Internment Camp 10
Loveday Internment Camp 10 also comprised a Camp HQ and 40 buildings and a compound of rectangular in shape, including a hospital the compound was able to hold 1000 persons first Italian prisoner arrived 12th August 1941.
Loveday Internment Camp 14
Loveday Internment Camp 14 was divided into four compounds 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D. It opened on the 7th June 1942. Compound 14A's first Italian prisoners arrived on 28th February 1942. Compound 14B's first Japanese prisoners arrived 5th January 1942. Compound 14C's first Japanese prisoners arrived on 30th January 1942. Compound 14D's first German and Italian prisoners arrived on 29th January 1942.
Wood Camps
Katarapko wood camp was a tented camp site with wire compound established on Katarapko Island. The first Italian prisoners arrived there on 3rd May 1942.
Moorook West wood camp held Japanese Prisoners. The camp closed on 21st February 1943.
Woolenook wood camp held Japanese internees. The camp closed on 6th May 1945.
Group Headquarters
Lt. Col. Dean was Group Commandant, while each camp was administered by a Camp Commandant. Lt. Col. Dean was a man of vision, and under his guidance the camp became self sufficient and prospered to become the only camp in Australia which was profitable.
The ruins of Group Headquarters are all that remain to identify that this area is of significant historical interest.
The Berri and Barmera Visitor Information Centres have a brochure which I recommend you collect which provides a brief history on the Loveday Internment Camps. You will need to ask for it as it is photocopied on demand.
For a more comprehensive history of the Loveday Internment Camps you can follow this link to the State Library of South Australia for digitalised images of an original 1946 publication.
The Cache
The cache container only has room for the log book, BYO pen. You DO NOT need to walk around the building. The cache IS NOT inside the building.