I know a bird who travelled 10 000km to visit Milang!
Welcome to Milang
I'm glad my journey didn't take that long. I didn't time my travels. One thing you don't need in Milang is a watch.
It's easy to get into a rhythm based on the sun and the wildlife.
Time to get up! (Image © TP Prior)
Hear the birds - wake up. Stretch, morning cuppa, brekkie. Stroll, swim, sangas. Read, swim, play frisbee, bbq. Such is the pace of life at Milang, you'll wish you never had to leave.
If you would like to be a little more active, there are quite a lot of options hidden behind the sleepy façade of Milang. Several years removed from the drought, Lake Alexandrina now has lots of calm water perfect for jet skiing, canoeing, water skiing, kayaking, fishing, and windsurfing.
Lake Alexandrina provides the perfect location for water sports (Image © TP Prior)
Don't want to get wet? There are beautiful grassed areas ideal for cricket, football, frisbee, playing ball with the dogs, lazing with a book or having a picnic. Picnickers are well catered for with both open air tables and benches or the clever multi-direction shelters that enable you to escape the bothersome wind, beating sun or rain by choosing which side you have open to the elements.
Milang Foreshore and Picnic Shelters
More sporting options are provided by the local BMX track, tennis courts and bowling green.
Walks can take you through the wetlands (listen for frogs and mind the snakes), past bygone businesses, parks and playgrounds, the Railway Station, churches, the Milang cemetery, the pretty holiday shacks and along the foreshore.
Milang Wetlands
It is fascinating to peek into the history of Milang at the Port Milang Railway Museum, open Sundays. This museum is inside the train carriages and rebuilt station and features displays, photographs, local craft and a dining carriage that was once open for Devonshire teas.
Milang Railway Station
Milang Railway Station (Image © Jenny Rossiter)
Port Milang Historic Railway Museum
Track to nowhere. Last train left in June 1970.
If it is the last Sunday of the month, you can visit the Milang and District Historical Society's Museum at the oval. This museum focuses on farming, fishing and fire appliances. The MOSH Community Centre (Milang Old School House) run an amazing array of short courses and also screen movies on Mondays.
Anzac Park is a peaceful place to visit. The path, shaded by Manchurian Pears, leads you past the playground to a canon, rose arbour and views of the tennis courts and bowling green.
Anzac Park
The Manchurian Pears are a recent addition that replace the original avenue of WWI Canary Island Pines that once guarded the memorial obelisk.
The bright red Milang Jetty Hand Crane stands sentinel at the end of the jetty and is the oldest in South Australia. It was erected in 1859 to assist with the unloading of boats.
The Milang Jetty Hand Crane
It is possible to wade out to
almost the end of the jetty. The safe shallow swimming for children is one of Milang's key attractions for families.
Lake Alexandrina is the perfect safe swimming place for children
The Milang Jetty Hand Crane at Dawn (Image © Jenny Rossiter)
The first Milang holiday shack was built in 1947. These rows of small houses are a colourful example of the simple holiday shack lifestyle dating back to the 1950's.
Milang Historic Shacks from the Railway Carriages
(Image © Jenny Rossiter)
The Pier Hotel cooks a tasty Barramundi Kilpatrick and provides 'free entertainment'. The locals don't mind a bit of an impromptu sing-along. Other take-away meals are available at the Milang Bakery or Port Milang Cafe.
The Pier Hotel
Milang Shacks at Dawn (Image © Jenny Rossiter)
If you are not fortunate enough to have a Historic Milang Shack in the family, the Milang Lakeside Caravan Park and Milang Lakes Motel provide accommodation.
The Milang Lakeside Caravan Park has lots of space
There are two weekends a year when Milang would not be described as a quiet country town. Both annual events occur in January.
Yesterday's Power Rally showcases motorbikes, vintage and classic cars, tractors and fire engines. The
Milang Goolwa Freshwater Classic features up to 800 sailors and 250 boats competing. Join the excitement as they leave Milang, race across Lake Alexandrina, and follow the River Murray to Goolwa. There are many festivities surrounding these community events.
And that bird that travelled 10 000 km to get to Milang? She's a Latham's Snipe. You might spot her in the Milang wetlands enjoying our Australian summer climate in preference to her Japanese home.
Latham's Snipe
