New owners take over at Old Tailem Town
Two new faces have taken charge at the beloved tourist attraction near Tailem Bend.
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One of South Australia’s most cherished historical attractions is stepping into a new era, as Danny and Tina Squires officially take the reins at Old Tailem Town.
Established in 1982 by Danny’s father, Peter Squires, the iconic pioneer village has long been a favourite for history lovers, school groups, and tourists alike.
“This has always been a family project,” Mrs Squires said.
“We were destined to take it over – it was just a matter of time.”
The Squires family are already hands-on, assessing each building, making improvements, and planning new features to refresh the visitor experience.
Plans include inviting a coffee van operator to join the site, as well as restoring the original Balfour’s Adelaide Pie Cart to serve up classic pie floaters.
Behind the scenes, the team is supported by a dedicated group of volunteers and key staff, including bookkeeper Julie, who commutes from Adelaide; and volunteers Ivan, Ken, David, Noel, Pauline and Nathan.
“We’ve got a small team, but they’re extraordinary,” Mrs Squires says.
“And yes, with everything we’ve got planned, we’ll definitely be looking for more volunteers in the future.”
Among the team members at Old Tailem Town are Julie Burridge, Ivan Wood, Nathan and Don Mahen. Photos: Glenn Power.
The popular ghost tours are still running, operated independently by Haunted Horizons.
Danny and Tina’s son, Thomas, is already looking forward to joining the venture and becoming a part of Old Tailem Town’s next chapter.
With fresh energy, family spirit and exciting plans in motion, Old Tailem Town is set to thrive well into the future.
- More information: www.tailemtown.com.au.
