Towns in Australia

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Mount Barker SA

Mount Barker

Postcode: 5251

Mount Barker is a rapidly growing town, 40 kilometres from Adelaide, in South Australia. It was founded in 1834 by Captain Charles Sturt, and is now home to more than 9,000 people. It lies at the base of Mount Barker, called The Mount Barker Summit by locals. It is the focus of the District Council of Mount Barker, and is the largest town in the Adelaide Hills.

Mount Barker was originally home to the Peramangk Aboriginal people. The Narrinyeri people from the east also used the Summit for ceremonial and burial sites.

Mount Barker was first sighted by Captain Charles Sturt in 1830, although he thought he was looking at the previously discovered Mount Lofty. Captain Collet Barker fixed this error when he surveyed the area in 1831. Sturt named the mountain in honor of Captain Barker after he was killed later that year by Aborigines.

Mount Barker has since developed into a large urban center, which is developing very rapidly. New subdivisions are being developed, as well as additional malls and shopping centres. There in an increasing problem with the infastructure of the town, with the District Council of Mount Barker attempting to convince the State Government to fund a new Freeway exit on the South Eastern Freeway.