Bordertown

• Summary
• Weather for Bordertown

Bordertown, renowned as the birthplace of former prime minister Bob Hawke,is the entry point from Victoria for visitors to the Limestone Coast. Situated on the Dukes Highway between Adelaide and Melbourne, it is surrounded by fertile land planted with cereal crops, pasture seeds, vegetables and wine grapes.

The town boasts the only known colony of white kangaroos in Australia, and is the southern gateway to the desert parks of Ngarkat and Big Desert, which exhibit a colourful carpet of wildflowers during spring.

The nearby Poocher Swamp is a wetlands reserve set amongst magnificent red gums several centuries old, and is ideal for picnicking and yabbying. If visitors are lucky enough to visit in late spring or summer, they will witness the Red Gums in full bloom, with clusters of spectacular pink-red flowers. During the winter months, when the swamp is flooded, you may see water swirling down a large runaway hole into vast underground tunnels.

A drive past more majestic red gums takes visitors to Clayton Farm - a property frozen in time, which features original thatched buildings classified by the National Trust, and vintage farm machinery.

Bob Hawke is honoured with a bronze bust on Woolshed Street, in the heart of town, and his childhood home, “Hawke House” is open for tours to the public.