| Blyth South Australia |
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Main street of Blyth, looking north |
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Blyth
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| Population: | 306 (2006 Census) [1] | ||||||||||||
| Established: | 1875 | ||||||||||||
| Location: | 132 km (82 mi) north of Adelaide | ||||||||||||
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Blyth is a small town in the Mid North of South Australia, located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) west of the renowned Clare Valley. It has a population of 306, the farming community spanning the plains between the Clare Hills and the Barunga/Hummocks ranges. Altitude is 189 metres (620 ft), and rainfall is approximately 400 millimetres (16 in) per annum.
Located approximately 132 kilometres (82 mi) north of Adelaide, the district's climate and soils are well suited to wheat, barley, legumes, hay, sheep, cattle and pigs.
Blyth is recognised as being a strong small community with a big spirit. The town today boasts a General Store, Post Office, Pub and Gallery/Studio, as well as sporting facilities for football, netball, bowls, cricket and golf. Several businesses based in Blyth service the region. A recent addition is the Blyth Cinema housed in a renovated Masonic Hall.[2][3]
The township was proclaimed in 1860 and named in honour of Sir Arthur Blyth, who arrived in South Australia as a teenager with his parents in 1839 and went on to become a businessman and parliamentarian. The township of Blyth was founded in 1875.
In 1876, it was the terminus of the narrow gauge railway to Port Wakefield. This line ultimately was extended to Gladstone and converted to broad (1600 mm) gauge.[4]
Adjacent stations were Brinkworth to the north and Halbury to the south.