Mannum is a historic river port on the west bank of the Murray River in South Australia. The traditional owners were the Nganguruku (Nganguruga) people, part of the Ngayawung community.

In 1830 the Sturt expedition passed by boat, and in 1838 Dr George Imlay and John Hill became the first to reach the Murray overland within South Australia. They noted the thriving Indigenous population's skill at fishing. European settlement began in 1840. In 1852 the first Murray River-built vessel, a side-wheel paddle steamer, was launched at Mannum, starting a shipbuilding industry that lasted into the 20th century. Other manufacturing developed, including Horwood-Bagshaw, makers of farm equipment.

Mannum's role as a river port declined after rail reached Morgan in 1878 and Murray Bridge in 1886. Today it is home to the PS Murray Princess and the restored paddle steamer PS Marion, and is a base for hire houseboats. The Mannum–Adelaide pipeline, built in 1954, supplies water to Adelaide.

Now a busy township and tourist spot, Mannum offers hotels, supermarkets, and specialty shops. Sport is central to the community, with the Roos football team in the River Murray Football League, the Mannum Rowing Club (established 1910), and various other sports including netball, cricket, tennis, basketball, squash, and water sports.

Population:

2537 ¹

Postcode:

5238

Location:

65 km east of Adelaide

Main Roads:

Strathalbyn Rd (B33)

Radio Stations:

FM:
5MU (96.3 MHz), ABC Classic (103.9 MHz), Faith FM (88.0 MHz), Power FM (98.7 MHz), RadioTAB (88.0 MHz), Triple J (105.5 MHz) and Vision Christian Radio (87.6 MHz)

AM:
ABC North and West SA (639 kHz), ABC Radio Adelaide (891 kHz), ABC Radio National (972 kHz), ABC Riverland (1062 kHz) and ABC Wimmera (594 kHz)

River Murray:

View of the River Murray which snakes its way through Mannum, December 2007.

Image © Michael Greenslade

River Murray:

View of the River Murray which snakes its way through Mannum, December 2007.

Image © Michael Greenslade

River Murray:

View of the River Murray which snakes its way through Mannum, December 2007.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Paddle Steamer Marion:

Moored on the River Murray is Paddle Steamer Marion, it forms part of them Mannum Dock Discovery Centre. The vessel was built in 1897 and is one of the last operational, heritage, steam driven, wood fired, overnight passenger carrying side paddle steamers in the world. December 2007.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Vehicular Ferry:

Vehicular ferry over the River Murray, linking Randell St in Mannum town centre with Khartoum Rd, Cowirra, December 2007.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Mannum Town Centre:

Looking northeast on Randell St in Mannum, December 2007.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Mannum Town Centre:

Looking southwest on Randell St in Mannum, December 2007.

Image © Michael Greenslade