Coonalpyn, South Australia

Coonalpyn is a small town in South Australia 163km southeast of Adelaide on the Dukes Highway (A8). Coonalpyn is situated in the Coorong District Council region and is in the State electorate of MacKillop and the Federal electorate of Barker.Origin of the nameThis town's name is derived from the Aboriginal word Coonalpyn, meaning Barren Woman. Coonalpyn Downs was chosen by John Barton Hack to name the property and the railway station within this property.HistoryCoonalpyn was originally known as part of the Ninety Mile Desert, until in approximately 1949 when the land was developed by the AMP Society. In 1995, the District Council of Coonalpyn Downs amalgamated with the Peake District Council and Meningie District Council to form The Coorong District Council.In 1927, the Congregational Church in Coonalpyn erected its church building, and is now the Coonalpyn Uniting Church.Electricity came to Coonalpyn through ETSA in 1962 and a water pipeline was constructed between Tailem Bend and Keith in 1968.