Tailem Bend was once a railway town, developed on the river cliffs in 1886 to service the farmers of the surrounding Mallee country. Though the railways have had their day, the riverside location is as lovely as ever.

You’re standing beside Australia’s longest river, which winds 2,500 kilometres through the continent before emptying into Lake Alexandrina just 10km downstream. Enjoy the tranquillity down by the ferry landing as you watch the pelicans or throw in a line. If you’ve got some spare time, cross on the free ferry and walk the idyllic riverside trail to Wellington.

FAST FACTS!

• Tailem Bend has two possible meanings: the Aboriginal word ‘thelum’ referring to the bend in the river; or the farming expression ‘tail ‘em’ which is short for tailing lambs
• Tailem Bend Railway Museum is housed in the original railway station
• Old Tailem Town is Australia’s largest pioneer village and hosts a notorious ghost tour
• The Bend Motorsport Park, just minutes out of town, is the second longest permanent race circuit in the world, behind Germany’s Nürburgring track