Welcome to Beltana
Introduction | Special Dates | Centenary of Federation
Aboriginal Connections | Colourful Characters
Connecting the Kids | Photo Gallery

Beltana played a very early role in the telegraph line's history. Charles Todd sent surveyor John Ross ahead of the construction party to survey the route. Ross was commanded in July 1870 to lead an expedition to explore the country to the north of Mount Margaret and was instructed to proceed to Beltana, 400 miles north of Port Augusta, which was the last outpost of northern civilisation.

So Beltana took on a serious provisioning role, supplying stores and horses and preparing 100 lb of jerked (or sun-dried) beef and 300lb of smoked beef. This staple of all the working party's diet was to be the forerunner of the world famous 'bully beef'.

The tins, which contained fibrous beef, were prepared by J.V. Hughes of Booyoolee Station. Hard and compact, it was known as 'Booyoolee Beef' at first, then shortened to 'Bully' Beef'.

On 14th August, Ross departed Beltana and took nine days to reach the northern point of the Southern section of the line - the Treuer River.

Beltana was also the place where Charles Todd was when he heard news in October 18, 1872 that the overseas cable, which had been damaged upon laying, was finally repaired. It was the first day that Australia was connected with the rest of the world via undersea cable and Todd was able to reap the fruits of his enterprise. A testament to his enterprise still stands at Beltana, the old repeater station, now restored.