Tarlee is in the lower Mid North region where Horrocks Highway crosses the Gilbert River. It is approximately 8 km south of Giles Corner, where the Barrier Highway to Broken Hill diverges from the Horrocks Highway through the Clare Valley. The origin of the town's name is uncertain, but it is thought to be a corruption of the name Tralee in Ireland. The township of Tarlee was advertised as being subdivided and readied for sale by auction in 1867. At the 2016 census, Tarlee had a population of 302.
Tarlee Railway Station was once on a busy railway line but now sits laying dormant like so many stations scattered throught the rural areas of South Australia. Located about an hour and a half’s drive north of Adelaide, Tarlee is a small townwith a small population that hasn't seen much action since the mid 1980s. The railway line came to the town in 1870 and passenger services ran until December of 1986.
The station is located on the Adelaide to Peterborough line between Roseworthy junction and Burra. For a short period, Forrester's near Tarlee was the terminus as construction was authorised in two stages in the late 1860s. The line past Burra was removed in the early 1990s. Freight to Burra ran until 1999 and the line saw freight trains to Saddleworth until they ceased in 2006. The line hasn’t been officially closed, but hasn’t seen a train for many years and the track isn’t in the best condition.
Site of the Town of Gilbert
To the north of Tarlee on the Horrrocks Highway is the site of the town of Gilbert, established by Edmund Bowman in 1848 and renamed Gilberton in 1851, and then in 1856 was proclaimed Gilbert Town. Its name is taken from the Gilbert River. Tarlee located where Horrocks Highway crosses the river; it lies within the traditional lands of the indigenous Ngadjuri people, but their name for the river is unknown. The explorer John Hill came to it in early April 1839, and named it after Colonial storekeeper, Thomas Gilbert, who was responsible for all government stores.
The original town contained a Post Office, Hotel called the Bow and Arrow and a Store. With the coming of the Railways in 1870, the town slowly declined and in 1902 the town officials reverted back to agricultural land. A Plaque marking the location was unveiled on the 4th April 1986 during the 150th Anniversary of the founding of South Australia.
Riesling Trail
