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Tailem Bend

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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 February 23rd 2013
Does Tailem bend?
tailem bend, tourist information for, the railway museum, tailem old town, railway steam engines
The River Murray at Tailem Bend

[ADVERT]Tailem Bend is probably seen more often as a transit town for travellers than a tourist destination. That is a pity really as the town does have attractions of its own.

There is the fascinating Old Tailem Town that I reviewed recently nearby, and two walking trails.

The town walking trail is quite short, while the River Bend walking trail is around 21 kilometres, but can be shortened. Leaflets for both are available in the attractive Visitor Information Centre at the Tailem Bend Railway Station.

tailem bend, tourist information for, the railway museum, tailem old town, railway steam engines
Railway Terrace, Tailem Bend's Main Street

And if you're into Big Things, then the The Big Olive is just down the road too.

Tailem Bend is on the River Murray about 20 minutes drive from Murray Bridge and Monarto Zoo.

tailem bend, tourist information for, the railway museum, tailem old town, railway steam engines
Tailem Bend's Railway Heritage

It is also on the route from Adelaide to Melbourne both by train and by road, and can be found at the end of the South Eastern Freeway, about an hour from Adelaide.

tailem bend, tourist information for, the railway museum, tailem old town, railway steam engines
Tailem Bend Town Centre Playground

Historically Tailem Bend has had a very strong connection with the railways, and this becomes evident as soon as you arrive in town. Tourist information for the area is available from the old Tailem Bend Railway Station, while you can find items of railways heritage scattered all around.

tailem bend, tourist information for, the railway museum, tailem old town, railway steam engines
Play Equipment @ Tailem Bend

Nearby there is a well kept reserve and fenced children's playground. There are several pieces of modern play equipment, and the piece de resistance - a 1913 steam locomotive which kids can climb and explore.

tailem bend, tourist information for, the railway museum, tailem old town, railway steam engines
RX 201 Steam Engine Built in 1913

It is a pleasant spot to settle down for lunch, with a bakery across the road. Alternatively the clean and well maintained Tailem Bend Hotel is a short walk down the road.

tailem bend, tourist information for, the railway museum, tailem old town, railway steam engines
Tailem Bend Hotel

If you would rather eat with a view of the river, check out the Riverside Hotel on the Princes Highway.

Whatever you do, Tailem Bend makes a scenic stop before taking the next leg of your journey.
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Why? Because it's on the way
Where: Tailem Bend, SA
Your Comment
Has the Big Olive re-opened? It closed within the last 5 years
by r.eng (score: 2|948) 13 days ago
It is a shame the railway station etc. has closed. It created a lot of employment for many years. Some many railway stations have closed on the Melbourne Express line. It has lead to a lot of businesses closing as there is less employees to make shops financially viable have to go to large towns to do the grocery shopping. Farmers used to go to Railway Stations to collect their mail including parcels in small towns where there was no Post Office. We had relatives who lived on farms in the early to mid 1900s who collected all their mail, parcels etc.
by r.eng (score: 2|948) 13 days ago
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