🔍

Barmera

SA 5345 • Rest of SA

2,884
Population (2021)
$30,056
Median Income
77.52 km²
Area
$200/wk
Median Rent
RuralLakesideRetiree-HavenTourist HubAffordable

About Barmera

Barmera is a rural township located on the shores of Lake Bonney in South Australia's Riverland region, approximately 230 kilometres east of Adelaide within the Berri and Barmera District Council area. With a population of 2,884 spread across 77.5 square kilometres, the suburb has a well-established, older demographic with a median age of 49. Median household incomes are below the state average, reflecting Barmera's character as a working rural community centred on agriculture, tourism, and the region's renowned wine industry.

Lake Bonney is the suburb's defining feature — a large freshwater lake that draws water sports enthusiasts, swimmers, and caravanners, and is historically famous for hosting Donald Campbell's world water speed record attempt in 1964. The broader Riverland region is renowned for its citrus orchards, wineries, and Murray River scenery, making Barmera a popular destination for tourists and grey nomads. Residents enjoy a relaxed rural lifestyle with access to local shops, a caravan park, community sports, and the natural amenity of the lake, though most services require travel to nearby Berri or Renmark.

Barmera falls under postcode 5345 and is governed by Berri and Barmera Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Chaffey electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5345
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Berri and Barmera
Federal Electorate
Barker
State Electorate
Chaffey
Type
Rural
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-34.23°, 140.47°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
77.52 km²
Elevation
20m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • SeaLink Riverland Coach Service — Adelaide CBD Approx. 3 hours

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
230 km
By Train
No direct train service; coach services available from Barmera to Adelaide
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 2 hrs 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 2 hrs 20 min

🛣️ Accessible via Sturt Highway (A20); coach services run to Adelaide; Berri (10km) is the nearest regional service centre

Walkability Car-Dependent

A car is essential for most travel; the town centre and Lake Bonney foreshore are walkable locally, but all regional services require driving

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$200
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,028
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
49 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.6%

75 state housing + 7 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,954
Census 2021
2,884
▼ 2.4% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$25,116
Income 2021
$30,056
▲ 19.7% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,333
Born Overseas 379

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 90
  • 2. Greece 64
  • 3. India 49
  • 4. Philippines 41
  • 5. Italy 20
  • 6. New Zealand 20
  • 7. Scotland 17
  • 8. Netherlands 12
  • 9. United States 10
  • 10. South Africa 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,189
Australian 1,109
German 310
Scottish 192
Greek 178
Irish 161
Australian Aboriginal 159
Italian 87
Filipino 53
Dutch 47

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,961
Both parents born in Australia
520
Both parents born overseas
245
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.1%
Christianity
41.8%
Sikhism
1.2%
Hinduism
0.6%
Buddhism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
119 (4.1%)
5-14 years
327 (11.3%)
15-19 years
152 (5.3%)
20-24 years
118 (4.1%)
25-34 years
315 (10.9%)
35-44 years
279 (9.7%)
45-54 years
338 (11.7%)
55-64 years
381 (13.2%)
65-74 years
450 (15.6%)
75-84 years
267 (9.3%)
85+ years
149 (5.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barmera known for? +

Barmera is best known for Lake Bonney, a large freshwater lake popular for water skiing, swimming, and camping. The suburb is also famous as the site of Donald Campbell's 1964 world water speed record attempt, and sits at the heart of South Australia's Riverland wine and citrus growing region.

How far is Barmera from Adelaide? +

Barmera is approximately 230 kilometres east of Adelaide CBD, making it around a 2.5 hour drive via the Sturt Highway (A20).

Does Barmera have public transport? +

Barmera has limited public transport. Coach services operate between the Riverland region and Adelaide, but there is no local bus network or rail service. A car is the primary means of transport for residents.

What is the population of Barmera? +

According to the 2021 Census, Barmera has a population of 2,884 residents, with a median age of 49 — reflecting an established, older community typical of many Riverland towns.

Is Barmera a good place to live? +

Barmera offers a relaxed, affordable lifestyle in a beautiful Riverland setting, ideal for retirees, families seeking rural living, and outdoor enthusiasts. The lake, wine country, and Murray River surroundings provide excellent natural amenity, though residents need to travel to Berri or Renmark for a wider range of services.

What is the postcode for Barmera? +

Barmera's postcode is 5345.