Jamestown sits in the scenic Clare Valley and hosts the Jamestown Fly In and Air Spectacular, recognised as one of Australia's best air shows. This event, held every three years during spring, regularly attracts around 8000 to 10,000 people.
Jamestown is also home to a Railway Station Museum. Head there to see a collection which includes a former ambulance/accommodation carriage, old farm machinery, ET Both designed iron lung and old medical equipment, local flourmill history and household items.
The museum also traces the history of nearby Bundaleer Forest and the origins of South Australian Farmers Union and MS McLeod Limited. Look through the photographic gallery with pictures of pioneer families and prominent citizens, or the collection of local newspapers.
The early development of Jamestown is displayed in the many fine wall murals on shops and commercial buildings. Choose from the town tour to see these features, or take an interesting self drive tour.
Jamestown is a good base from which to explore Bundaleer Forest, nine kilometres south of the town. The world’s first plantation forest, established here in 1876, was where the merits of the famous Radiata Pine were demonstrated. The forest area contains a pleasant picnic ground just off Spalding Road, interesting historical and botanical walks, original forest buildings and the Mawson and Heysen Trails. Dry stone walls built by early stonemasons crawl over the ridges for many kilometres. The forest is also the venue for various cultural and sporting events.
Jamestown was surveyed in 1871 to service the surrounding northern highlands, some of the most productive and reliable farmland in South Australia. Sheep, cereal and legume crops predominate. The sheep sales, held monthly, are the largest in country South Australia. It was named after the then Governor of South Australia, Sir James Fergusson, who came from County Ayr in Scotland.
MS McLeod and the South Australian Farmers Union commenced their extensive operations in Jamestown and Both's Iron Lung was invented at nearby Caltowie.
