Oakbank Travel Guide

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How Oakbank became a Steeplechase course

One day, when on examining the track, they found a large Gum tree had fallen across the course, so rather than removing it, they made it a steeplechase track, and this tree log became the "fallen log Jump," the symbol of the Oakbank races.

In latter years it has rotted away and has had to be replaced. The steeplechase hurdles are not as high as ones I have seen in England.

If you wish to see the fallen log, then take a drive along Shillabeer Road, and you will find it on the RH side of the road. Stop and have a look at the racecourse from here, the view is wonderful.

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The Oakbank Races are held every Easter Saturday and Sunday.

Oakbank is well known in South Australia because of its Easter Horse Racing Carnival.
Racing here began in the 1860's, and in 1875, the Onkaparinga racing club was formed.

I have on many occasions been amongst the 100,000 + people that attend the two Race days, Easter Saturday, and Easter Monday.

The club used to hold only two meetings a year, but now they have a meeting on St. Patricks Day which has plenty of Irish entertainment as well as the Racing. A week before Christmas, they hold a twilight meeting "Christmas in the HIlls."

There are Stands to sit in, and on the "Flat" are Bookies, Tote, and Side shows including a Ferris wheel.
Even if you are not a race goer, Oakbank is an Easter tradition for many families, its like a Carnival, with racing thrown in!

People arrive very early in the day for champagne breakfast and to park their car in the best possible position. Tables and chairs are set up, the champagne cork is popped, smells of Bacon & eggs waft accross the course, announcing the beginning of another wonderful day at the picnic races.
Families come back year after year.

Buses galore ferry people from Adelaide to the track, which is situated about a half hour from the city. Tours are also available.
Whether you win or lose, it is the atmosphere that is different to at other race courses, and I think that this makes it a much more enjoyable day's outing.

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Pikes Brewery came about when an Englishman named Henry Pike, emigrated to South Australia in 1878 aboard the HMS Oakland, and settled in the small town of Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills.

In 1886, he established the family brewing business called H. Pike & Co. This name became well known throughout South Australia for its quality beer, soft drink and tonic ale, and the company used the English Pike fish on the label, which remains to this day a symbol of Pikes’ long heritage.

The Brewery is heritage listed, and has since closed, but if you want to buy Pikes Beer, brothers Andrew and Neil Pike, of Pikes Winery in Clare are now producing the Beer.
In 1996 they decided to re-launch the beer again, to celebrate 100 years since the first brew, contracting a boutique brewer to recreate the classic brew from all those years ago.

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I picked up the Oakbank Heritage walk brochure from the Oakbank General Store [1890]- last photo.

Oakbank is only small, really easy to walk around. Most of the old places are side by side.
As I walked along the street, I found each had an identification plaque. Nearly all could only be viewed from the outside as they are private properties.

So, I will tell you and show you some of the old homes I saw.

The first is along main street and is near the Oakbank Hotel. Now used as a real estate office, this is a lovely old home named "Longfleet,' built in 1867, later the home of Henry Pike and families of "Pikes Brewery."

A few steps away on the same side, is and original slab and plaster home, only 2 rooms at the start, but has been added to.

My 3rd photo, is of a home that used to be a Wine Saloon. Alongside this house is an Oak Tree which is classified by the National Trust as a "significant tree." The old oak tree came about because James Johnston brought an acorn in his pocket to Australia. The family came from the Oak Bank district of Glasgow, and this was a perfect way to transplant the name.

Ice-cream was made under this tree and sold by Molly Smith before the shop was built. The tree is believed to be from 1860.

Next to the Tree, is Molly Smith's shop which is now a Pizza shop. Whitfields shop [1860] is next door.

Across the road, is the Oakbank General Store.

When Pikes Brewery closed, the Oakbank Weavers, Peter Stapleton and Mary Cassini moved in. They have left a few relics from the Brewery days, including some photos.

They have 8 large workable looms in the old cellars of Pikes. These are used to make hand-woven fabrics from wool, cotton, linen and silk, to their own pattern.
You might find a nice throw rugs to take home, or perhaps a stole or scarve, these can be purchased in the gallery located under the 1889 stone brew tower.

The building is listed as a fine industrial example of Victorian architecture on the State Heritage
The distinctive brewery tower is a landmark and the attached building is filled with the cottage crafts of Oakbank weavers.

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The owners of Johnston Brewery, had two massive English manor houses built in Oakbank.

"Oakbank House," is located at 2 Oakwood Road, which is next to their Brewery. It was built for James and his family at the edge of the brewery complex, you can't miss seeing it as the entrance roadway is lined with an impressive row of Gum Trees, and then you see the old double story mansion.

Dalintober is the other lovely home, located on the other side of the main street, in Elizabeth Street and was originally owned by Andrew Galbraith Johnston. This home is harder to view.

An English stonemason was brought out to build these grand homes for the two brothers who are remembered as the brewery's leading lights.

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The Johnston family arrived in S.A. in 1839 when the colony was only 2 years old.

Their elder sons, William junior and James soon became proficient brewers and in 1843 founded the Oakbank Brewery. Younger brother, Andrew became involved with the brewery and by the mid 1850s, he and James owned and operated it and had founded a hotel group to distribute their ales and other beverages.

The brewing business had experienced highs and lows, with brewing ceasing in 1914.
During the 1990's, vineyards were established and now you can buy Johnston's wines.

The old brewery complex is open to the public as they make and sell 14 different flavoured cordials and soft drinks. Tasting award-winning wines and enjoying food platters in the Cellar door is a newish addition.
Sales are available on site, so you can walk through the courtyard, sit and enjoy a drink under the umbrella's and enjoy the character of this very old building.

J. & A.G. Johnston as the oldest known family business in South Australia.

OPEN 7 DAYS......Monday to Friday 10.30am to 4.30pm
Sat, Sun, Public Holidays 11am to 5pm