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Cooke Plains

SA 5261 • South Australia

69
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
263.17 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalRemoteSemi-Rural
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About Cooke Plains

Cooke Plains is a small agricultural locality in South Australia's Murray Mallee region, situated approximately 110 kilometres south-east of Adelaide along the Dukes Highway — the main road between Adelaide and Melbourne. The locality falls within The Coorong District Council and sits adjacent to the Adelaide–Melbourne railway line, midway between Tailem Bend and Coomandook. With a 2021 Census population of 69 residents spread across 263 square kilometres of flat mallee country, Cooke Plains is a quiet, sparsely settled farming community.

The locality takes its name from the pastoralists James and Archie Cooke, who were among the early landholders in the district, and the township was originally established as a private subdivision. Today the area is dominated by cereal cropping and livestock grazing across its broad agricultural plains. A Soldiers' Memorial Hall stands as a reminder of the community's heritage, and the locality retains a small cluster of rural properties. The nearest comprehensive services are found in Tailem Bend to the north-west (approximately 30 kilometres) and Murray Bridge for a broader range of retail and health services.

Cooke Plains falls under postcode 5261 and is governed by the Coorong Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Barker, while state elections fall under the Mackillop electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5261
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Coorong
Federal Electorate
Barker
State Electorate
Mackillop
Type
Locality
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-35.60°, 139.94°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
263.17 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 5261

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 5261 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$53,250
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$70,259

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 5261; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No local bus service — Murray Bridge (approx 50 km) for regional connections Car required

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
110 km
By Train
No passenger service; Murray Bridge (approx 50 km west) has limited regional connections
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 10 min – 1 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr – 1 hr 15 min

🛣️ Dukes Highway provides direct access towards Adelaide; Tailem Bend (30 km) is the nearest service town

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A rural mallee locality with no local shops; all daily errands require driving to Tailem Bend or further afield

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
69
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cooke Plains known for? +

Cooke Plains is known for its cereal cropping and pastoral farming across the Murray Mallee plains. The locality has a heritage Soldiers' Memorial Hall and takes its name from the early pastoralists James and Archie Cooke, who settled the district.

How far is Cooke Plains from Adelaide? +

Cooke Plains is approximately 110 kilometres south-east of Adelaide CBD, a drive of around 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes via the Dukes Highway.

Does Cooke Plains have public transport? +

Cooke Plains has no local bus or rail passenger service. The Adelaide–Melbourne railway line passes through but does not stop at Cooke Plains. Murray Bridge, approximately 50 kilometres to the west, is the nearest hub with regional transport connections.

What is the population of Cooke Plains? +

According to the 2021 Census, Cooke Plains had a population of 69 residents across a large area of 263 square kilometres, reflecting the sparse settlement characteristic of the Murray Mallee farming region.

Is Cooke Plains a good place to live? +

Cooke Plains suits those who value open rural landscapes and a quiet farming lifestyle. Its position on the Dukes Highway gives reasonable access to Adelaide, but residents are car-dependent and the locality has very limited on-site services. It is best suited to farming families or those seeking affordable rural property.

What is the postcode for Cooke Plains? +

The postcode for Cooke Plains is 5261, shared with Coomandook and surrounding Coorong District localities in South Australia.