Nestled between Hamley Bridge and Balaklava is the picturesque town of Owen on the Adelaide Plains. With a town population of around 300 and a regional population of around 650, Owen is a diverse community built up over many years, and still going strong today. Owen was named after local landowner, John Owen, and has a town layout similar to that of Colonel Light's Adelaide, with parklands surrounding the urban centre square.
Historical Gate - Steve Hudson
Founded in 1865 and 150 years young this year, Owen's heritage is based on farming on the Adelaide Plains and the provision of high quality grain for local consumption and overseas markets. In recent times, olive growers have purchased several large lots of land and have used the almost perfect climate to create some great products.
Horse and Carriage at the Town Oval - Steve Hudson
Easter sees the small-horse carriage driving championships on the town's oval, which is always a delight for this mid-north community. Aside from this annual event, there are many more regular things to see when visiting Owen, and I have listed the top 7 below.
Grain Silos and Water Tower
The most prominent landmark in Owen, the grain silos have a capacity of 32,000 tonnes. Nestled in the former broad gauge railyards which last operated in 2005, the silos are a hive of activity at harvest time.
Grain Silos
Almost as tall is the Owen Water Tower (known as Cyril Owen) which can also be seen for some considerable distance across the plains. The tower is used as storage and pressure booster for the mains water supply.
Water Tower - Steve Hudson
Located on the side wall of the Red Cross shop, the large mural depicts Owen's early history, and was created and painted by Adelaide artist, Graeme Bambridge. The mural creates a colourful feature depicting Owen, the Armagh Hills, the railway line and the farming community during harvest in the early 1900s.
Red Cross Mural - Steve Hudson
Traversing the outskirts of the town, the walking trail passes through parklands, golf course, wetlands, rail yards and the natural scrubland. The trail is a 4km sign-posted loop, and is a relatively easy walk for the whole family and offers great views of the town and the rural surrounds.
Walking Trail - Steve Hudson
Built in 1905, the Owen Arms Hotel, formerly the Wooroora Hotel is a friendly place to relax with friends and family over a good old fashioned pub meal. Various snacks, groceries, bread, coffees and newspapers are also available from the Pub which doubles as the General Store.
Owen Arms Hotel - Steve Hudson
Like most towns, Owen has its fair share of buildings from yesteryear, some of which have been restored and are in use today, while some remain in a derelict state. A short tour of the main streets, and the major buildings come in to view, and one can't help but imagine what they may have been in their heyday.
(Former) Tooheys Drapery - Steve Hudson
Institute and Town Hall - Steve Hudson
The DB 'Silky' Pratt Lions Park is located opposite the Hotel, and is a great place to rest and transition between towns in the mid-North. A small picnic area, grassed lawns and numerous information boards provide a fascinating insight in to the history of Owen over the last 150 years.
Lions Park - Steve Hudson
Lindsay Park is located on the corner of Main and Third Streets, and has good size shelter, playground, lawned area and a basketball backboard, and is within walking distance to the bathroom facilities.
Lindsay Park - Steve Hudson
Owen is located 83km north of Adelaide on the road between Hamley Bridge and Balaklava. A steady trend towards rural / country living and the growth of jobs around Gawler and the Barossa has seen a number of families relocate to Owen, and experience country living at its finest, all year round.
