Old Noarlunga, South Australia
History
History
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In the early years of settlement, the surrounding area was cleared for wheat farming, and a flour mill was built in the town in 1843 along with wharves used to transport produce down the [Onkaparinga River](/wiki/Onkaparinga_River "Onkaparinga River") to [Port Noarlunga](/wiki/Port_Noarlunga%2C_South_Australia "Port Noarlunga, South Australia") via barge. The town still has a stone bridge across the Onkaparinga, making the town a focal point for travel further down the coast.

In 1846, the [Hundred of Noarlunga](/wiki/Hundred_of_Noarlunga "Hundred of Noarlunga") land division was proclaimed, extending along the coast from the [Sturt River](/wiki/Sturt_River "Sturt River") to Onkaparinga, but named after the indigenous term *nurlo* (curve) for the horse\-shoe bend of the Onkaparinga.

In 1850 the [South Australia Company](/wiki/South_Australia_Company "South Australia Company") laid out the 'No\-orlunga Township' at the 'Horseshoe', Onkaparinga River. 1856 saw the formation of the [District Council of Noarlunga](/wiki/District_Council_of_Noarlunga "District Council of Noarlunga") following residents on either side of the Onkaparinga. The new council was formed by excision of parts of both the [District of Morphett Vale](/wiki/District_of_Morphett_Vale "District of Morphett Vale") on the north bank and [District Council of Willunga](/wiki/District_Council_of_Willunga "District Council of Willunga") on the south bank.

By the 1860s the town had a post office, a council chamber, two churches, a public pound, two hotels, a mill, a brewery and a brickworks.

Old Noarlunga became a well known sporting venue, visited by cycling clubs and throughout the 20th century the town was a popular stopping point for tourists on the way to beaches in the region.

1972 saw [Main South Road](/wiki/South_Road%2C_Adelaide "South Road, Adelaide") bypass the town and in 1978, by council resolution it became Old Noarlunga. Many local residents at the time were not in favour of the townships name change.


What was the name given to the horse-shoe bend of the Onkaparinga River?