Strathalbyn is a town in the Alexandrina district and is 60 km southeast of Adelaide on the banks of the River Angas, at the southeastern edge of the Adelaide Hills and beginning of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The town was founded in 1839, the first landholders being Dr. Rankine, followed by Donald McLean, and in 1846, the cadastral division, the Hundred of Strathalbyn, was proclaimed including the township of Strathalbyn at the south-western corner of the division.
Strathalbyn was once a major stop on the route from Adelaide to Melbourne.
The streets were laid out in a broad and liberal manner, with a large area reserved on either side of the River Angas for recreation purposes, plus a site for a Presbyterian Church and cemetery.
The community was soon the centre for a large pastoral and farming population, many of Scottish origin. Mining later became important in the area.
Strathalbyn was connected by broad gauge horse tram to Goolwa and Victor Harbor from 1869. With the Victor Harbor railway line extended to Mount Barker and Adelaide the line was then upgraded for steam engines from 1884.
The town was isolated again in 1995 when the Adelaide-Melbourne railway line was converted to standard gauge, however the SteamRanger historic tourist train runs on the isolated broad-gauge line, including stops at Strathalbyn.
The Victoria Hotel, (16 Albyn Terrace Strathalbyn) located conveniently in the heart of Strathalbyn will be the venue on this occasion.
Beyond the restored exterior of this historic 1865 bluestone building, the Victoria Hotel in Strathalbyn is a country hotel with a difference, offering all the luxuries you’d expect
This delightful pub has unique surroundings with open fires and great country hospitality.
A copy of the menu is available here
I have booked for 15 and the cutoff for responses will be Friday 12th June at 12 Noon.
Note:
All are welcome. You can stay the entire time or just pop in ...and of course there are a plethora of caches located in the surrounding area.
Eating and drinking is optional (however please consider supporting local business!)