| Melrose South Australia |
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Melrose Township with Mount Remarkable |
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Melrose
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| Population: | 431 (2006 Census)[1] |
| Established: | 1840 |
| Postcode: | 5483 |
| Location: | 265 km (165 mi) north of Adelaide |
| LGA: | District Council of Mount Remarkable |
| State District: | Stuart |
| Federal Division: | Grey |
Melrose () is the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges. It is in the shadow of Mount Remarkable, 265 km north of Adelaide. At the 2006 census, Melrose had a population of 431.[1]
The first European explorer in the area was Edward John Eyre in 1840, closely followed by settlers coming to farm the area. Copper was discovered and mining started in 1846, but it was not economic, and ceased in 1851. The mine was opened again three more times, the latest closure was in 1917.
Today, Melrose is the base for visitors to the Mount Remarkable National Park and centre for the local farmers.
When it was opened in 1848, the police station in Melrose was the base of the largest police district in the world. A constable, two troopers and an Aboriginal tracker were responsible for an area extending to the Timor Sea.
In June Melrose is home to the Fat Tyre Festival, an off road bike celebration exploring local bike trails and crowding parades of freak bikes.