Laura is famous as the home of
Golden North ice cream which has been manufactured in the town since 1923 (the factory being the biggest employer in the district) In July 2025 management announced the imminent move of the factory to the old Beston cheese works at Murray Bridge, citing loss of milk suppliers in the Lower North and increased business opportunities. The
Laura Fair is held over two days annually on the first weekend of April. Initiated by Dick Biles of the Rocky River Historic and Art Society, and wholly volunteer driven, it has been held every year since, apart from the COVID years. Laura is a vibrant, artistic rural community with a population of approximately 650, situated beside the Rocky River and amongst the rolling hills of the Southern Flinders Ranges. The
Laura Markets are a fundraising event held on the first Saturday of March, May, July, September, November & December at the Laura Memorial Civic Centre. The
Wilmington railway line was built from
Gladstone railway station to Laura in 1884. It was extended from Laura in 1910 to
Booleroo Centre, and finally to
Wilmington in 1915. Passenger services ended in 1969, and it was formally closed in 1990. The former
Laura Courthouse in Hughes Street is listed on the
South Australian Heritage Register. ==Media==