Lyrup is a rural town located in South Australia's Riverland region, situated on the banks of the Murray River. It is about 267 kilometers northeast of Adelaide and 25 kilometers from Renmark. Lyrup is notable for its historical significance as one of twelve village settlements established by the South Australian government in 1894. This initiative aimed to support communal living during a period of economic hardship, and Lyrup is one of the few settlements that successfully maintained this communal system.
The town was officially gazetted in 1896, and its name is derived from "Lyrup's Hut," a boundary rider's shelter. Today, Lyrup continues to function under a communal land model and has a community club, general store, and picnic areas. It is also known for producing local agricultural products like grapes, citrus, almonds, and apricots. The Lyrup Ferry remains a unique feature, offering free crossings over the Murray River.
