The Morgan area was originally known to the early Europeans as the Great South Bend or North-West Bend owing to its location at a great elbow on the Murray River. The town was established in 1878 to coincide with the opening of the railway line from Adelaide and became one of the busiest ports in South Australia at the time, second only to Port Adelaide. Although the railway closed in 1969, Morgan’s wharf measured an impressive 160 metres in length but now, only around 30 metres remain. The historic wharf precinct still captures the spirit of the early river and rail trading days when it handled nearly all the wool and wheat from a vast area upstream from here. Today

Morgan is a popular holiday spot, known for its houseboats, fishing and watersports.

FAST FACTS!

• The area was the boundary of several traditional owners – including the Ngarrindjeri to the south and Riverland peoples to the east
• Morgan is 315 kilometres upstream from the Murray Mouth at Goolwa
• The ‘Disappearance of Henry Bryan’ is a mystery that’s unsolved to this day. Grab a brochure from the Morgan Museum and follow the trail that tells the story
• Young children love to take the helm of the replica paddle-steamer at the Morgan Rail to River Adventure Park
• The 360 kilometre pipeline that supplies the City of Whyalla with water starts here