History Friday | Roseworthy Agricultural College – Est. 1883

On a recent drive through the countryside near Gawler, I stopped by the historic grounds of Roseworthy Agricultural College, where the date 1883 still appears proudly on the original buildings — a wonderful reminder of South Australia’s rich agricultural heritage.

Established in 1883, Roseworthy Agricultural College was Australia’s first agricultural college, created to provide practical education and research to support farming in the young colony of South Australia. Students studied cropping, livestock management and agricultural science while gaining hands-on experience working on the surrounding farm.

Over many decades the college became one of Australia’s most respected agricultural institutions, educating generations of farmers, scientists and industry leaders who helped shape South Australia’s agricultural and wine industries.

Today the historic site continues its educational legacy as the Roseworthy Campus of the University of Adelaide, still surrounded by working farmland and research facilities.

During my visit I also noticed these commemorative plaques, including one marking the formation of the Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences when Roseworthy Agricultural College merged with the University of Adelaide in 1991, ensuring the campus continued its important role in agricultural education.

@Roseworthy Agricultural College - Roseworthy - South Australia

If you enjoy discovering historic places like this, the campus is just a 10-minute drive from our Country Style Louisa home in Gawler.

At Adelaide Style Accommodation, we love sharing local history gems like this with our guests and followers.

 Book your stay and explore South Australia like a local.