Sandalwood
SA 5309 • South Australia
About Sandalwood
Sandalwood is a small rural locality in South Australia, located approximately 139 kilometres east of Adelaide along the Karoonda Highway in the District Council of Karoonda East Murray. The community developed as a railway siding when the Loxton railway line opened in 1913, with its post office established the following year and a school in 1919 — all of which have since closed. With a 2021 Census population of 62, Sandalwood remains a quiet agricultural locality set within the Murray Mallee, characterised by red sandy soils and mallee scrub.
Sandalwood's sparse population is sustained by dryland farming and pastoralism typical of the Murray Mallee region. Residents rely on the nearby town of Karoonda for essential services, including schools, shops, and medical facilities. The landscape around Sandalwood is part of a broader agricultural zone, with properties typically large in scale to accommodate the region's low-rainfall farming systems. The area appeals to those seeking an extremely quiet, self-sufficient rural lifestyle far from urban pressures.
Sandalwood falls under postcode 5309 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Chaffey electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Commute to Adelaide CBD
🛣️ Car travel via the Karoonda Highway is the only practical transport option
Extremely rural — a car is essential for all daily needs
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Government Road