Balaklava, SA

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The town of Balaklava (34°08′S 138°25′E, population 1365, postcode 5461) is located in South Australia, 92 kilometres north of Adelaide in the Mid North region. It is on the banks of the Wakefield River, 25 kilometres east of Port Wakefield.

==History==

The first settlers in the area were James and Mary Dunn who opened a hotel in 1847. The town was laid out by Charles Fisher in 1869 and named it after the Battle of Balaklava. He built large grain stores on the tramway from Hoyleton, South Australia to the port at Port Wakefield, intending to encourage farmers to settle near the town.

Balaklava used to be on the railway line from Adelaide to Gladstone, with a junction to Port Wakefield. The line north from Hamley Bridge (connecting to Adelaide) opened in 1878 and still exists as far as Balaklava.

==The 21st century Balaklava==

The local newspaper is the Plains Producer.

Balaklava hosts the annual Balaklava Cup horse racing carnival each August. This was attended in 2006 by famous Australian astronaut Dr. Andy Thomas and Jenny (Elle) Price. It also has an agricultural show in September each year.

==Governance==
Balaklava is the administrative centre for local government seat of Wakefield Regional Council. Balaklava lies in the state electoral district of Goyder and the federal electoral division of Wakefield.