Historical Australian Towns: Farina, SA: Lake Eyre Basin Ghost Town

The ghost town of Farina is approximately 650km north of Adelaide, on the edge of the desert, in South Australia.

Farina was settled in 1878, reaching its peak in the late 1880s when it was a transport, mining and agriculture hub on the alignment of the Great Northern Railway, later known as the Ghan Railway.

Aboriginal People

Dieri, Arabana, and Kokatha Uwankara people lived around the Lake Eyre Basin.

The Lake Eyre Basin has 71 Aboriginal language groups and many songlines and historical trade routes (ochre). Songlines are believed by the Aboriginal people to be the journeys of creation ancestors which shaped the land and environment.

Song cycles, dance rituals and stories describe landmarks, water sources, and natural features created by the ancestral begins from the Dreaming. Some Songlines traverse hundreds of kilometres.

The Dreaming is the time when the land was inhabited by ancestral beings.

Dreaming Spirits "also deposited the spirits of unborn children and determined the forms of human society", thereby establishing tribal law and totemic paradigms (Molyneaux, Brian Leigh; Vitebsky, Piers (2001).

Performance of tritichinna ceremony of snake totem, Urabunna Tribe, Lake Eyre (pub. in The commonwealth of Australia; federal handbook, prepared in connection with the eighty-fourth meeting of the British association for the advancement of science, held in Australia, August, 1914[, by George Handley Knibbs

The Lake Eyre Basin has natural extremes of drought and flood, and many Aboriginal groups have lived scattered across a vast area.

During the rainy season, there existed plentiful food sources, but the Aboriginal people stayed camped around waterholes and springs during the dry periods.

1850s

A pastoral lease was taken up in the area along the Leigh Creek, known as Government Gums, in 1859 by George Davenport and William Fowler.

1870s

A site for a town was surveyed in 1876 near the water reserve, with 432 town blocks, 88 suburban blocks and small acreages inspired by Colonel Light's planned grid of Adelaide. The area was proclaimed a town on 21/03/1878 and called, “Government Gums”.

Governor Jervois named the town "Farina" from the Latin word for flour.

The Finke River Mission was established in 1877 by German missionaries.

In 1878 construction commenced on the Port Augusta and Government Gums (Farina) Railway.

The foundation stone of the Transcontinental Hotel was laid by a local Aboriginal woman on 5 June 1878.

The hotel was licensed in 1879, at the same time as the second hotel in town, the Exchange Hotel. There were also breweries within the two hotels.

South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881), Saturday 22 June 1878

The Telegraph Office opened on 28 September 1878. Charles Todd also partly established a meteorological station at Farina.

The narrow-gauge railway line from Port Augusta, through the Pichi Richi Pass, to Quorn opened in 1879 and extended north to Government Gums (Farina) in 1882.

OLD WITCHELINA STATION in 1879, showing the well and homestead. The station, 400 miles north of Adelaide, was established by Ragless Bros., and used to carry 35,000 sheep on 400 square miles of country. It is now part of the Kidman estate Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 7 November 1935

1880s

100 adults and 50 children living in Farina in 1880.

Farina boomed from 1882 to 1884.

"John Opie joined the mounted
police in 1882, and a year later, with others, was
stationed at the Government Gums, now known as Farina.

A canvas tent was their dwelling
place, and their lock-up a post, to which prisoners were chained." (1.)

Storekeeper's premises, (J.W. Manfield) at Farina. Farina was a railhead at the edge of the desert near Marree. It was settled in 1878 and grew to its peak in the late 1880s when it sported an underground bakery, two hotels, bank, two breweries, store, church, five blacksmiths, school and brothel. It is now a ghost town. The photograph shows theowners and workers outside the saddlers and the General Store of Mr JW Manfield. The saddlers are holding their tools of trade and large leather saddle bags. The store is also an agency for forwarding and receiving goods. 1882, SLSA

The government school of galvanised iron opened by 1882.

Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), Monday 12 August 1889

South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1881 - 1889), Saturday 20 May 1882

The government gave a free travel pass to Farina to increase settlement.

In 1886, the population was 300, with 2 butchers, storekeepers, hotels, fruiterers, colt breakers, 3 blacksmiths, 4 saddlers, 8 teamsters, 2 debt-free churches and 1 accountant.

Afghan cameleers lived in tents before purchasing land outside the township, and building corrugated iron huts. Remains of an Afghan village have been found outside of Farina (Parkes 1997).

Street scene at Farina between 1897 and 1898. This town was settled in 1878 as a railhead before the railway was extended to Maree. It was originally called "The Gums" or "Government Gums". The town reached a peak population in the late 1800's. It had two hotels,underground bakery, bank, two breweries, store, church, five blacksmiths, school and brothel. A sign on one of the building suggests it was owned by J Napier and Company General Merchants. Agents, Saddlers. About 1897, SLSA

1900s

FARINA: Premises of the police station at Farina, South Australia. 1900, SLSA

FARINA: Premises of the Transcontinental Hotel at Farina, South Australia., About 1900, SLSA

FARINA: Premises of the post office at Farina where local children play by a post and rail fence. About 1900, SLSA

FARINA: Premises of the school at Farina, with a partial view of the schoolmaster's residence. About 1900, SLSA

Exchange Hotel, Farina, SA, 1900, SLSA

FARINA: A group of four Aboriginal people sitting with a dog outside their dwelling at Farina; left to right: Lizzie; Lucy; Cramner; Jimmie Tart. 1900, SLSA

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Wednesday 12 October 1904

Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 2 January 1904

Empire Day at Farina, SA, Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 16 June 1906

Donkey teams at Innamincka en route to Farina with Nappa Merrie wool, SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 14 August 1909

Farina, SA : Camel drawn wagons outside Manfield building, Approximately 1890-1910. SLSA

Farina : Interior timber church (Anglican). View of alter, organ and lectern, Approximately 1890-1910. SLSA

BLUEY' COOK, Al LINE REPAIRER,Who had just completed a bike ride from Farina (S.A.) to Inna-Jmincka, thence to Broken Hill, Menindie, and Tolarno. Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wednesday 16 November 1910

ABORIGINAL MUSTERERS. Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wednesday 16 November 1910

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 5 February 1910

A BLACKFELLOW'S WURLIE E AT FARINA. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 14 January 1911 (Wurley- Aboriginal shelter)

THE FARINA RESERVOIR, FROM WHICH THE RESIDENTS OBTAIN THEIR WATER SUPPLY. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 14 January 1911

This scientific expedition, which was organised by the authorities of the Adelaide Museum, left by the far northern train early in September. It is comprised of the Curator of the Museum (Mr. Edgar R.Waite, F.L.S.), Capt. S. A. White (who has given his service gratuitously to act as guide of the party and to assist in research activities), and Mr. Rau, the taxidermist. Striking out from Farina they proposed to travel north-east... Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 7 October 1916

WWII

Mr. and Mrs. H. Stanford, of Farina, have been notified that their eldest son, Private Henry Max Stanford, was killed in France on April 24. He was born at Farina nearly 24 years ago. He was educated at the Farina public school, and prior to enlisting he was employed on the East- West railway. Before he was accepted for service he offered himself three times. He went into camp in December, 1915, and sailed on June 9 last. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 2 June 1917

1920s

FARINA, SA: Group of men standing on the platform of the Farina railway station. 1920, SLSA

Exchange Hotel, located in Farina, South Australia, on the right when Frederick J. Rodley was the publican (1921-1922), with three other smaller buildings to the left. About 1921, SLSA

WOOL-CARRYING IN THE BORDER COUNTRY. In the outback country most of the carrying is done by camels, though gradually the motor is making its appearance. This photograph was taken at Trinity Wells, over 400 miles from Adelaide, and shows an Afghan camp. The wool being carried was brought from over the Queensland border, and is en route to Farina. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 11 October 1924

This mnn is starting out on a run of 300 miles, between Farina and Innamincka, 700 miles north of the city, with mails for outback stations. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 20 December 1924

The aeroplane, Wattle Bird, recently landed on the racecourse at Farina on the way to Oodnadatta. SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 18 February 1928,

ACROSS BARREN WASTES TO FARINA. — A 30-donkey power waggon, .bringing in a load of wool to Farina. Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), Friday 13 July 1928

FARINA, SA: Two Aboriginal ladies - Polly and Fanny. 1920, SLSA

1930s

Premises of Bell Bros. general store in Farina, South Australia. About 1930, SLSA

Farina, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 28 June 1934

WEALTH FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA. New season's wool baled ready for transport to the railway. Scene on Mt. Lyndhurst Station, about thirty miles from Farina. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 5 September 1935

Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), Saturday 14 September 1935

Ancient and modern transport at Farina. The plane is being re-fuelled with petrol brought out by camel team drawing a lorry with rubber tyred wheels. News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Tuesday 27 August 1935

News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Thursday 25 June 1936

SAND IS RELENTLESSLY CREEPING ON FARINA and slowly burying the once
prosperous town in the Far North, 400 miles from Adelaide. a back view of Mrs. Chapman's home with sand right up to the kitchen window; the stable walls, once 12 ft. high, are now easily surmounted. News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Thursday 25 June 1936

SAND IS RELENTLESSLY CREEPING ON FARINA and slowly burying the once prosperous town in the Far North, 400 miles from Adelaide. News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Thursday 25 June 1936

IF YOU WANT TO SEE HOW a 3 1/2-ton load of wood cm sink into the sand of a water course, go to Farina. Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), Saturday 16 October 1937

Our friend Wally Millard.' Frank adds, 'is busy pulling down the Farina hotel, and says it is the poorest house he has ever seen — only 7 4 under the bar-room floor, and five empty Tennent's beer bottles under a bedroom floor, been there for at least 52 years.Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Wednesday 31 March 1937

"Farina, once the head
of the railway line, is now a mere
street of houses in the sand."
'The Big Walkabout', Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1887 - 1953), 9 December, 1938

FARINA: Railway accident involving a locomotive at Farina, SA. 1939, SLSA

1940s and WWII

During World War II, 35 men born in Farina enlisted.

Private Casualty Advices Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Bell, of Farina, Far North, have received
advice that their second son. Cpl. Alfred Napier Bell. AIF. was killed in action in New Guinea on January 20. He was seven months in Tobruk (one of the "Rats"), and also fought in Syria. After his re-turn he was in the first battle of Milne Bay. New Guinea. He volunteered for paratroop training which he had to abandon because of malaria. His elder brother, John Bell, RAAF. was reported missing, believed killed, in 1941, after he had been sent from England on a special mission to France on the day the Germans marched into Paris.Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Saturday 5 February 1944

RESIDENTS LEFT THIS FARINAHOUSE WHEN SAND MOVED IN. DECREPIT WALLS OF HOTEL THAT ONCE TOOK £100 BEFORE 10am. The Dead Heart-Truth and Fallacy. Few of Us Know Where This Region Really Is', And Why It Is So Named. Written and Illustrated by J. D. Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 24 August 1946

1950s

Toas are small composite and painted artifacts made by members of the Diyari people, collected by Lutheran Missionary Johann Reuther at the Killalpaninna Mission in South Australia beginning in 1904. Toas combined Aboriginal and European technologies.

Three aboriginal markers in a special museum collection depicting topographical features in the Lake Eyre basin are displayed as the Museum Oddity this week. They were known as toas by the aborigines, who left them in camps when they moved on to fresh sites so their friends would know where they had gone. News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Thursday 23 November 1950

News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Thursday 23 November 1950

1950s

Benno (Ben) Murray (1893–1994), stockman, cameleer, linguist, and storyteller who assisted the ethnologist Norman Tindale , settled in the deserted town of Farina in 1959, soon becoming its sole resident.

The old police station was his home, and the rail link enabled him to "jump on the rattler" and visit friends and family in Marree, to the north. (4.) (son of Bejah Dervish, Afghan cameleer, and Annie Murray, an Arabana-Thirari woman whose European name derived from the family for whom she worked as a maid).

The school closed in 1957.

1960s

By 1967, all residents had left the town because of the drought and the re-routing of the original Ghan train line. (3.)

1980s

In 1980, when the railway line moved west of Lake Torrens, through Tarcoola, Farina rail was no longer in use.

2000s

At the 2006 census, Farina had a population of 55.

Tom Harding and a group of grey nomads begin restoring the town around 2008.

The outback bakery oopened in 2013, operating from late April through to May.

Around Farina

Farina, SA

Farina, SA, ruins, rail precinct

Exchange Hotel, Farina, SA, ruins

Transcontinetal Hotel, Farina, SA, ruins. The building was the Transcontinental Hotel from 1878 to 1928. It was the Bush Nursing Hospital from 1928 to 1945. From 1945 to 1955 it was a boarding house.