Lochiel
SA 5510 • South Australia
About Lochiel
Lochiel is a small town in the Mid North of South Australia, located approximately 125 kilometres north of Adelaide on the Augusta Highway. With a population of 104 at the 2021 Census and covering 128 square kilometres, it sits on the western edge of Lake Bumbunga at the eastern foot of the Hummocks Range. The town was surveyed in 1869 and named after Lochiel Forest near Inverness in Scotland.
Lochiel is best known for Lake Bumbunga, a striking pink salt lake that has become one of South Australia's most photographed natural attractions. The lake's vivid pink hues are caused by salt-loving algae that shift in colour with the light, weather, and seasons, and salt has been commercially harvested from the lake bed since 1881. A quirky local landmark is the 'Loch Eel', a tyre-and-plastic sculpture created in 1972 as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Loch Ness Monster. The Augusta Highway provides easy road access, and Stateliner bus services connect the town to Adelaide, making it a popular stop for travellers heading through the Mid North.
Lochiel falls under postcode 5510 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Narungga electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Stateliner Mid North service — Adelaide 2 hours 10 min
Commute to Adelaide CBD
🛣️ Direct access via the Augusta Highway (Highway 1); Stateliner bus runs 3 times daily
A small rural town with very limited amenities; a car is needed for most errands and services
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
No schools listed for this postcode.