Gulnare
SA 5471 • South Australia
About Gulnare
Gulnare is a small agricultural locality in South Australia's Mid North region, situated approximately 188 kilometres north of Adelaide near the intersection of the Goyder Highway and the former Hamley Bridge–Gladstone railway corridor. The locality falls under the Northern Areas Council and lies about a kilometre east of the Horrocks Highway, which links Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges. With a 2021 Census population of 80 residents — a slight decline from 88 in 2016 — Gulnare is a quiet rural community spread across approximately 128 square kilometres of predominantly farming country.
The name Gulnare traces back to 1841, when explorer John Horrocks named the surrounding Gulnare Plains after his dog, whose resourcefulness in catching emus saved the expedition from hunger during its journey through the region. The locality developed around a small private township subdivision that served the Gulnare Plains farming community, and the former narrow-gauge railway — built in 1894 and converted to broad gauge in 1927 before closing in 1993 — left a lasting imprint on the local landscape. Today, Gulnare is surrounded by grain and sheep farming properties, with the nearby town of Georgetown (approximately 8 kilometres north) providing essential services, while Port Pirie (around 60 kilometres west) and Clare (around 60 kilometres south) offer broader shopping and health facilities.
Gulnare falls under postcode 5471 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Frome electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Regional coach services (limited) — Adelaide Central Bus Station Approx. 3 hrs 15 min (twice weekly, Mon and Fri)
Commute to Adelaide CBD
🛣️ Horrocks Highway (Main North Road) provides the main route south to Adelaide; twice-weekly coach services available
Gulnare has no local shops or services; a car is required for all daily errands, with Georgetown or Port Pirie the nearest service centres
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
No schools listed for this postcode.