One of the truly Australian attractions in Naracoorte is the Sheep’s Back Museum.
The Museum houses galleries showcasing the history of the Australian wool industry in the higher rainfall areas of south-eastern Australia.
The old stone mill building houses galleries telling the story of the Australian wool industry in the ‘inside country’.
The focus is on the wool shed and the skills and trades of the workers in the industry. It includes the lifestyle of the wool growers over time, and the impact the industry has had on the environment.
The wool industry focus continues in the ‘Big Shed’, where the unique Robotic Shearer is housed. This piece of technology was developed in South Australia. It is displayed as the climax of slowly-evolving technology of hand pieces that have served the industry for 200 years.
A quaint old slab-construction wool shed, that began life as a settler’s home, is a museum piece in its own right.
Address: Corner of MacDonnell and Cameron Streets, Naracoorte SA
Phone: (08) 8762 1399
Other attractions in Naracoorte include The Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery, the oldest regional gallery in South Australia.
The museum is housed in a historic Georgian home once owned by a local doctor. The Gallery is now a showcase of traditional and contemporary visual arts.
The permanent collection of Australian Art includes more than 60 etchings by famous engraver John Goodchild. It also contains Australian Contemporary works on paper, Aboriginal prints, paintings and ceramics.
The Naracoorte National Trust Furniture and Social History Collection are also on view.
The Gallery provides quality exhibitions featuring local and non local artists. It has a retail shop with hand made items in all types of mediums, regular art workshops, and venue hire.
The exhibition programme includes:
Address: 91 Ormerod Street, Naracoorte SA
Phone: (08) 8762 3390