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Map of northern runs - Goyder's Line
Title : Map of northern runs - Goyder's Line Map of northern runs - Goyder's Line
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Place Of Creation : Adelaide
Date of creation : 1866
Additional Creator : Goyder, G. W. (George Woodroffe), 1826-1898
Format : Map
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Description :
View a "zoomable map" version.

This map depicts the 'northern runs' of South Australia. The thick black line is the line of demarcation mapped in 1865 by South Australia's Surveyor-General, George Woodroffe Goyder. It came to be known as Goyder's Line of rainfall because it differentiated between land suitable for growing crops and land that could only support grazing. Goyder's Line became a common feature on maps of South Australia and has proven to be very accurate.

During years of abnormally good rainfall and under pressure from farmers, the South Australian government decided to sell land north of the Line for growing crops. Goyder was shown to have been correct when many of these farms later failed due to a lack of reliable rainfall.


George Woodroffe Goyder was born in Liverpool, England in 1826 and emigrated to Sydney in 1848. He subsequently moved to Adelaide where he entered the South Australian Public Service in 1851. He joined the Department of Lands in 1853 and was appointed Surveyor-General in 1861.

Related names :

Goyder, G. W. (George Woodroffe), 1826-1898

Period : 1852-1883
Region : Mid North
Further reading :
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