You may not know that Jamestown in South Australia’s mid north is notable for being the birthplace of a very well-known Australian identity. It’s also a town with an impressive caravan park and it’s only around two and a half hours north of Adelaide.

The identity is the legendary bushman and leather maker R.M. (Reginald Murray) Williams, who was born in Jamestown in 1908 and grew up on farming land where his love of horses began. When he was 12 the family moved to Adelaide and a few years later he became a camel boy to a missionary, where he journeyed around outback South Australia and was able to observe station owner’s and stockmen’s life in this harsh area.

Today a stretch of highway, R M Williams way, in the mid north of South Australia is named in his honour. The road between Clare and Hawker retraces one of his journeys which he took in the early 1920s, to find a permanent water source for the establishment of a mission.

It was during that time that he began learning skills from a passing saddler and he made his first pair of leather boots. He returned to Adelaide and continued making pack saddle bags amongst other leather items, but it was his elastic sided stockman’s boots that became sought after by stockmen and drovers from all over Australia, and the name R M William became known for being the Bushmen’s outfitters, which still remains today. A carved timber bust of R M Williams is located in Robinson Park in Jamestown, along with storyboards telling his life story.

Robinson Park also has sites where self-contained caravans and motorhomes can stay for a maximum of five nights. The cost is $10 per vehicle per night and the fee can be paid at the Foodland supermarket in town. Across the road from the RV park is Memorial Park, which has a playground, BBQ’s, and toilets.

The other notable resident of Jamestown was Sir John Alexander Cockburn. Born in Scotland in 1850, he graduated as a doctor from King’s College in London in 1874. In 1876 he was practicing as a doctor in Jamestown and in 1878 he became Mayor of the town. His leadership led to the formation of the Jamestown hospital as well as other organisations including the institute, freemasonry and Anglican Church.

By 1884 he was elected to South Australia’s parliament in the House of Assembly where he represented the district of Burra and became the Minister of Education in 1885. His trajectory kept going and he eventually went on to become the Premier of South Australia from 1889 to 1890 and following that, the Agent General for South Australia from 1898 to 1901. A bust of Sir John Alexander Cockburn sits in a park in Ayr Street in the centre of town.

In the same park you’ll find a series of colourful artworks by various artists. The artworks reflect the landscape, wildlife and colours of the region including the nearby Flinders Ranges.

Other murals can be found around town including a wall showing the early days of Jamestown, and a bright aquatic themed wall at the local swimming pool next to The Park Caravan Park.

This caravan park is becoming a reason to visit in itself, and you know you’re in for something quite different in a caravan park from the moment you arrive. The modern, spacious amenities even have bath mats provided and there’s a bright and breezy camp kitchen known as The Hub.

Inside you’ll find all the equipment you’d expect in a new and modern camp kitchen and outdoors there’s a large BBQ as well as an outdoor seating area, communal campfire and string lights for atmosphere. The perfect spot to mingle with fellow travellers around the campfire swapping stories.

Keep Jamestown in mind next time you’re travelling through the mid north of South Australia and enjoy a night or two to discover the town.

Happy Travels
Glenys