# Robertstown, South Australia

Robertstown is a town in the Mid North region of South Australia, situated 125 km north of Adelaide, in the Regional Council of Goyder. At the 2021 census, Robertstown had a population of 223 people.

## Etymology

Robertstown derives its name from John Roberts, the first postmaster in the region, who established the town layout in 1871. Previously, it was referred to as Emu Flats.

## History

The Robertstown area is the traditional lands of the Ngadjuri people. The Ngadjuri have been largely overlooked in the histories of colonisation and their subsequent dispossession from their traditional lands.
In the early days of colonisation, the land in the district was primarily leased to stations like Anlaby and Koonoona. However, from 1850 onwards, the area was surveyed into smaller blocks, attracting European settlers to the region. The first settlers were likely stock overlanders from New South Wales.
As the settlement grew, a wine shanty operated by Mr. O'Dea became the first shop in the area. John Roberts, a Koonunga storekeeper, later catered to the community with his traveling shop and eventually settled in the town, opening a general store and post office. Later, Roberts' son constructed a new store, which was renamed Lehmann's Store after being acquired by a long-serving employee. As of 2023, Lehmann's Store continues to operate, preserving a piece of the town's history.
The S.A. Asbestos & Mining Co. Ltd operated a mine from 1894 that was 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) northeast of the town. The Blue Hole Mine was operated as an open-cut quarry from 1940 to 1951, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) northwest of the town.
On 4 August 2024, the Robertstown General Store closed after 75 years of service.
Robertstown was previously the terminus of the Robertstown railway line from Eudunda and Adelaide, which operated between 1914 and 1990. Over time, the population of Robertstown gradually increased, reaching a peak of approximately 2,100 residents in 1936, before declining.

## Demographics

According to the 2021 Census, Robertstown has a population of 223 people, with males accounting for 49.8% and females making up the remaining 50.2%. The median age of residents in Robertstown is 59. Approximately 1.3% of the population identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Robertstown has 58 families and 143 private dwellings, with an average of 1.9 people per household. The town has a substantial Lutheran community, with 27.4% of its residents practicing this religion, a figure considerably higher than the state average of 2.4%. This strong affiliation with Lutheranism can be attributed to the area's notable Lutheran heritage. The top three countries of birth for residents are Australia, England, and New Zealand.
The top three occupations in the town are managers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers. The dominant industries in Robertstown include grain-sheep or grain-beef cattle farming, road freight transport, bakery product manufacturing, and supermarket and grocery stores. The median weekly household income in Robertstown is $748, lower than the state average.
Median monthly mortgage repayments in Robertstown are $433, lower than the state average. The median weekly rent in the town is $193, also lower than the state average. Robertstown has an average of 2.3 motor vehicles per dwelling, highlighting the importance of private transportation in the area.

## Education

Robertstown has a public primary school, which as of 2022 had 9 enrolled students.

## Sports and recreation

Robertstown's sporting facilities include an oval; basketball, netball, and tennis courts; and a bowling green. Robertstown has several sports clubs catering to various interests including:
* Eudunda & Robertstown Cricket Club - Barossa & Light Cricket Association
* Eudunda Robertstown Football Club - North Eastern Football League
* Eudunda Robertstown Netball Club - North Eastern Netball Association
* Robertstown Basketball Club
* Robertstown Bowling Club
* Robertstown Tennis Club - Julia & Light Tennis Association
Robertstown has a history of hosting motorcycle events, including the South Australian Reliability Trials Championship (SART). One of the rounds is held in Robertstown and is known as the Lew Job 2 Day event, organised by the Velocette Motorcycle Club.
Robertstown also has two children's playgrounds.

## Nature and trails

* The Lavender Federation Trail is a long-distance hiking trail that includes the 7.5 km spur trail to Robertstown.
* The Heysen Trail is a long-distance hiking trail that passes approximately 10 km west of Robertstown, with a walk-in campsite called Webbs Gap nearby.
* The World's End Driving Trail is a car trail that passes through Robertstown from Eudunda to Burra, showcasing rural landscapes of hills, valleys, gorges, and lagoons.
Robertstown Oval hosts a free campground with a public dump point.