Introduction

Documents for download from this site are in PDF format and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them. The reader is free and can be downloaded from the Adobe website.

Welcome

Welcome to this comprehensive website dedicated to a special group of heritage places - South Australia's 17 designated/authorised State Heritage Areas.

This site is an initiative of the Department for Environment and Heritage, for whom the conservation, appreciation and celebration of South Australia's natural and cultural heritage is a priority. (View Corporate Plan (950Kb PDF))

Cultural Heritage

Our cultural heritage encompasses those aspects of the past and present that we want to share with future generations. It includes significant artefacts, customs, beliefs and places that provide tangible links with the people and events that have shaped our identity.

The protection and maintenance of our heritage is a challenge for everyone. While some heritage is specific to individuals or families, much of our significant past is shared with the wider community. Local and State heritage is the responsibility of many different groups and agencies.

At the State level, environmental heritage (both natural and cultural) is managed and conserved by the Department for Environment and Heritage. Within that Department, the Heritage Branch has responsibility for the identification, conservation, protection and promotion of South Australia's built and maritime heritage.

(view PowerPoint Understanding Our Built Heritage Part I (500Kb PDF) and Part II (1Mb PDF))

State Heritage Areas of South Australia

South Australia's 17 State Heritage Areas are a diverse group of regions representing unique aspects of the State's natural and cultural heritage. Some are recognised for their architectural merits, layout or contributions to South Australia's development, while others are predominantly natural areas of scenic or geological importance. No two State Heritage Areas are alike, differing not only in significance, but also in size and location across the State.

The State Heritage Areas of South Australia website provides comprehensive information about each of these Areas. It features images, text, maps and stories to highlight the significance of these distinctive regions and to showcase their individual and collective characters.

More specifically, this site:

• promotes the rich diversity of South Australia's built heritage
• provides an overview of the State Heritage Areas as a group and offers a glimpse of many aspects of South Australia's past
• presents detailed descriptions, histories and photographs of individual State Heritage Areas
• includes fact sheets for significant heritage places within each Area
• features location maps and public notices
• offers access advice and encourages visitors to explore and enjoy these unique heritage environments
• explains concepts of heritage assessment, protection, conservation and legislation
• invites anyone with connections to these special places to share their memories and stories, and
• provides links to a range of related heritage information and agencies.

Further Information

This website's primary aim is to increase public awareness and appreciation of these significant Areas, and in this way to enhance their protection and conservation for the future.

While the information within this publication is comprehensive, it is not definitive. It does not intend, for example, to provide legal advice about conservation, development or other heritage matters. This type of information should be sought from the Heritage Branch of the Department for Environment and Heritage.