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Ghost Towns in Australia - Terowie

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by Dave Walsh (subscribe)
I enjoy writing about Adelaide and its many attractions. If you think Adelaide is boring, the problem is not with Adelaide. Please click the link to Like my articles, and subscribe to see more. adelaideunearthed.blogspot.com.au
Published March 23rd 2015
Explore the haunting stories of the past
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Abandoned Places in South Australia - Terowie Main Street


Ghost Towns in Australia are mostly found in the outback. Think old South Australian railway towns like Farina and Beltana, or a cattle station killed by drought such as Kanyaka Station.

Driving to the Terowie turn off in South Australia's dry mid north, I had to navigate through a crowd of road crews busily re-sealing the main highway. The Terowie Roadhouse was quiet, but the friendly folk were happy to sell me petrol cheaper than I could buy it in Adelaide. Things went downhill quickly from there.

It soon became clear I'd stumbled across one of the newest South Australian ghost towns.

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Once Terowie Coffee Palace, Near the Terowie Hotel


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Terowie Coffee Palace 1910 (Courtesy State Library SA B32961)


After turning down the road to the town centre, I parked where it met the Terowie main street to look at an old building on the corner. Weeds sprouted randomly through the footpath and the building was run down but seemed solid enough. I was later to learn that this was once the Terowie Coffee Palace built some time before 1910.

As I wandered the main street in the late afternoon sun I realised that the only sound was my footsteps. No traffic passed. There was not a person in sight. An eerie calm pervaded the dusty buildings lining the main street.

Tubs of geraniums flourished outside the Terowie Hotel but there was no laughter, chinking of glasses, or smell of a beer soaked carpet. It was closed.

The driveway of Nourse's Lubritorium was empty. Modern Car Service was not doing any better, and the ES&A Bank building looked much as it did when the bank merged with ANZ Bank 45 years ago.

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Former ES&A Bank in Terowie SA


Returning to my car I hear a loud thud and a rattling noise behind me. On turning I saw a young boy scoot down Terowie Main Street, gazing curiously at me as he disappeared around a corner. No words were spoken.

As I slowly cruised to the edge of town voices came from around a corner. After doing a u-turn two men could be seen sitting on a verandah, waving at me in a scarily friendly gesture. I quickly returned to the town centre. After visiting other abandoned places in South Australia, Terowie was giving me a creepier feeling than most.

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Derelict and Abandoned Places in South Australia


The Terowie Hotel was probably the first building in town, established in 1874. Terowie rapidly became a busy place with around 700 residents when the railway arrived in 1880. A broad gauge railway ran to Adelaide and a narrow gauge track led to Petersburg (later known as Peterborough), Quorn and Broken Hill.

As Broken Hill prospered with increased mining, Terowie railway station became a massive hub for trans-shipping goods. At one time its goods yards, workshops and storage facilities stretched for more than 3 kilometres. Because all goods had to be trans-shipped from broad to narrow gauge trains and back, there was always work available and the Terowie population peaked at over 2,000.

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The Remains of Terowie Railway Station


During the Second World War a large military camp was established near Terowie railway station to expedite transport of men and materials to the north. There were ammunition factories in Adelaide's north west and an explosives factory in Salisbury all producing vital materials for the war effort which were transported by rail through Terowie.

While changing trains in Terowie on 20 March 1942, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur made his famous speech regarding the Battle of the Philippines in which he said: "I came out of Bataan and I shall return". He subsequently repeated the line "I shall return" in a number of other speeches, in a number of other places. The event is commemorated by a plaque on the now abandoned Terowie railway station platform.

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Interpretive Signage at Terowie Railway Station


By 1970 the line to Peterborough had become broad gauge and the trans-shipping role of Terowie railway station vanished. With a massive reduction in employment opportunities Terowie began its inexorable journey to become just another of the many Australian ghost towns. The population dwindled to just 150 by the late 1970's and the Terowie railway station was closed and tracks removed in the 1990's.

Terowie had joined the ranks of abandoned places in South Australia.

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Terowie Railway Station Platform & Goods Yard


The residents fought back valiantly. A heritage trail was created, interpretive signs installed at the site of the derelict railway station, the old Country Womens Association rooms became the Terowie tourist information office, and a Terowie 4WD Park allowed gery nomads and other visitors to stay free of charge. The children's playground and Terowie Arid Lands Botanic Garden are other attractions to tempt travellers to pause their journey.

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Tourist Information Office Near Terowie 4WD Park


The town's population stabilised at around 200, and a few businesses remained to service visitors seeking South Australian ghost towns. The old Terowie Hospital became a bed and breakfast, The Terowie town website proudly shows the photos of the 50th Christmas pageant in 2012.

But in its 140th year, the town Terowie seems to have passed away. It seems that the roadhouse and motel are the only businesses left in Terowie to keep the name alive. Perhaps the Terowie 4WD Park can attract enough passing travellers to stay and revive the town. Perhaps not.


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Why? Terowie has joined the exclusive ranks of ghost towns in South Australia
Where: Terowie, SA
Cost: Free
Your Comment
Ghost Town Terowie is not, it may be not in it's former glory, but there are few places in Australia (especially those who don't have government funding as some towns in other states do) that still have that lovely feeling of raw history - so many places have had so many new buildings mixed with the old so they loose that majesty, the viewfinder into the past, that Terowie has.
Couldn't tell you the number of tourists that have gone out of their way to comment on the loveliness of the free camp/caravan site that is the old railway station, the friendliness and professionslity of the local postmistress and general store owner (Leanne, of Murray's Corner Store), the kindness and promptness of the sweet family running the Terowie Roadhouse.
So quiet, yes. But there's something to be said for the open views of rolling hills, the unparalleled veiw of the stars and milky way, the step away from the continual fast pace of a city.
Come to Terowie, and take a walk, it feels, back in time. And if you lament the loss of what was at all, or simply would like to help, contact the Terowie Citizens'Association (or for quick contact, Leanne at Murray's Corner store as she is one of those that constantly helps - is a continued member of the commitee) - help the TCA maintain the buildings, the museums, it's special and unique past
by benga (score: 1|21) 2692 days ago
Great story Dave. Ironically I was in Manila last week, and I did a tour, and the guide talked about MacArthur and made the comment that "when MacArthur reached Terowie in Australia he said the words ....". Perhaps the tour guide may inspire a bunch on new tourists to descend upon Terowie in the near future ?
by Steve Hudson (score: 3|1251) 3000 days ago
Hi there,
I am a Terowie resident born and bred, and I'm the owner of Murray's corner store, and the manager of the post office which is located in the main street here in Terowie SA. The post office is open 5days a week, and the general store 5 and half days.
The town may seem like a ghost town from time to time, but I can assure you that it does get quite busy as well.
we rely on not only the locals to keep businesses open but tourist as well...
by leann (score: 0|9) 2999 days ago
Best points of contact for anyone wanting more information regarding the town, museums, attractions, hiring buildings, or events are as follows:

Terowie Information Centre: 8659 1039 (If nobody answers please leave a message!)

Terowie Citizens Association Secretary: 0467 537 248

Terowie Post Office / Murray's Corner Store 8659 1002
by benga (score: 1|21) 2593 days ago
Fab article Dave, congrats on the Gold award. I love Terowie, it's a great spot for photographers!
by Paula McManus (score: 3|3796) 3000 days ago
It was great reading your article Dave. My grandparents moved to Terowie when I was 10 years old so your photos are all familiar sights from my childhood. As the population was so small and everyone knew everyone my young uncle, brother and I were allowed to spend our days roaming the whole town exploring & having adventures. It did seem like a ghost town most of the time, and yes a little creepy at times but amazingly there always seemed to be someone out and about to catch us if we were up to mischief.
by nmohring (score: 1|10) 2831 days ago
Was its downfall the result of the railways closing the line.
That has impacted on a lot of towns which railway staff lost their employment
by r.eng (score: 3|1015) 2435 days ago
Possibly a show of a new (recovered) from 1928! film of Terowie's own Hollywood figure, J.P. McGowan, in Melbourne in February 2017. Keep watching this site for news.
by daviddon (score: 2|230) 2454 days ago
We would like to visit the town again as we did in the past but sadly the whole town was closed , we wanted to see the museum etc maybe talk to locals about haunted locations as we are a paranormal group , My question is if we come back who do we talk to regarding the museum please ?
by paula (score: 0|7) 2596 days ago
The pictures are amazing , those blue skies , I need a new car my little bomb is not reliable enough to get to these places .
by sylvi (score: 2|297) 3000 days ago
We found it creepy when we stayed 2013, eerie quietness except for the hag who came screaming that she was going to bash us up as we walked past her shop front causing her dogs to bark. Then there was the garage with a worker fixing a lawnmower. My partner said it was like Psycho meets The Mechanic. Eerie but fascinating, and loved how well preserved some of the buildings were. Quite beautiful.
by emjan (score: 0|6) 2110 days ago