Not a Clare in the world

The nbn™ project | Published on 16 August 2019
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From the world-famous to the almost unknown, and little moments through to big events, we explore what puts nbn™ ready-to-connect towns, suburbs and cities on the map…

At the heart of South Australia’s riesling region sits the town of Clare, gateway to the celebrated vineyards of Clare Valley.

Found a couple of hours drive north of Adelaide, Clare may be a fraction of the size of the SA capital, but what it lacks in population, it more than makes up for in easy access to idyllic countryside.

The 3000+ residents of Clare live, work and play in an area rich with history, just one of the other non-wine-related reasons why it’s a popular destination for visitors.

Clare, get connected

Clare is now ready to connect to the nbn™ broadband access network.

Did you know? By 2021, up to 5570 additional businesses in South Australia will be attributable to the nbn™ access network. That’s according to our recent Connecting Australia research. 

Clare according to Blue Goanna Digital

Stuart Nankivell, Blue Goanna Design

Based in Clare, Blue Goanna Digital helps customers with their digital needs including video production, digital art and character design, and animation.

Says Co-Founder Stuart Nankivell, “Delivering files with ADSL2 was so uncertain. I had days where I would try and upload files upwards of 1GB and that would take an entire day, only to fail at 99 per cent.”

To get the files delivered on time, Nankivell resorted to saving the files on a USB drive and sending it by post. And, for another project, he hopped in the car to hand deliver files to Adelaide.

Today, connected to services over the nbn™ access network, it’s a different story.

“Even though now I’m still producing enormous files, it’s been so much easier to deliver them.*

“I don’t have to go get the USB and take it to the post office. I don’t have to jump in the car with a hard drive. I can use any kind of cloud service and just dispatch this stuff. So, it’s taken all that waiting and hoping out of my file delivery.”

This connectivity lets Nankivell focus on what he does best.

“[It] has really taken the anxiety out of my day-to-day business operations. I can just enjoy creating content now.”

The region according to nbn™ local’s Jill

Jill Bottrall is Manager for nbn™ local South Australia and the Northern Territory, and is no stranger to the charms of Clare Valley. We asked her how services over the nbn™ access network are helping the region’s connectivity needs…

“The nbn™ access network rolled out through beautiful Clare Valley nearly three years ago.

“The availability of fast broadband, along with the valley’s easy access to Adelaide, has created the perfect circumstances for plenty of city folk to choose Clare Valley as their ‘sea-change’ location of choice, without the sea!

“What attracts them is the easy lifestyle of the Clare Valley with its fabulous wineries, great restaurants, rolling hill landscapes and a vibrant community.

“The nbn™ access network has helped enable workers and businesses to base themselves in the Clare region and make the hour-and-a-half road trip to Adelaide as and when necessary.”

Clare by the numbers

33 – The length in kilometres of the Clare Valley Riesling Trail.
145 – The distance in kilometres from Adelaide to Clare.
155 – The number of times the Clare Show has been celebrated before 2019.
178 – The number of years of history on display at Bungaree Station.
500 – The size in acres of Inchiquin, the home of Clare’s contemporary founder Edward Gleeson.
605 – The cost in pounds of Clare’s first public school (approximately $68,000 today).
1000 – The (still-growing) length in metres of the rideable railway track made by the Clare Valley Model Engineers.
1846 – The year, after multiple name changes, Clare received its name.
1926 – The year Clare Town Hall was opened.
1954 – The year passenger rail services ceased in Clare.
1983 – The year all rail to and from Clare stopped because of track damage caused by the Ash Wednesday bushfires.
3160 – The population of Clare as at the 2016 Census.
18,000 – The number of years ago the region was in an ice age.

Source: Aussie Towns (unless otherwise referenced).

Three things to do in Clare

Ride the railway at Clare Valley Model Engineers

Clare’s passenger railway may have ceased, but there’s still a miniature train to ride. Head over to Melrose Park to visit the Clare Valley Model Engineers. There you’ll find more than a kilometre of track, including three bridges and a tunnel, all of which you ride atop a miniature train. The Melrose Park views are worth the visit, too, with 10 hectares of greenery and a two-hectare lake. Melrose Park also boasts a playground for the kids, a BMX track for off-road biking and scenic walking paths.

Walk or cycle the Riesling Trail

This converted railway line was originally established in 1860 but was reopened in 1994 as the Riesling Trail, and it’s a day well spent. The trail starts in Auburn and, as you head north, you’ll find Clare towards the end of the trek. If you fancy a pedal, Clare Valley Cycle Hire can deliver a bicycle to almost anywhere in the Clare Valley. The constantly changing scenery of the 33-kilometre trail offers lashings of iconic history, beautiful art and, of course, the ever-popular cellar doors.

Visit the Clare Show

Visit Clare in October and you can partake in the long-running Clare Show. This year marks its 156th anniversary, with attractions for all ages. Marvel at the high-speed skill of wood chopping. Animal lovers can be entertained by dog jumping, or catch a camel or pony ride. Gearheads can appreciate a different kind of beast with the vintage and classic car display. Or, if that’s all too low to the ground for you, take in the sights from above with a helicopter ride.
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*nbn is very happy with Blue Goanna Digital’s experiences with the nbn™ broadband access network. Of course, end user experiences may vary. An end user’s experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ broadband access network, depends on the configuration over which services are delivered to their premises, whether they are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like their equipment quality, software and signal reception). Satellite end users may also experience latency.