Primarily a service town for outlying farms, Cleve has preserved its rich farming heritage with impressive wall murals around town and in permanent outdoor displays of everything from a dray to the council's first grader. Cleve has all major shops, varied accommodation and great country sports facilities including the 18 hole golf course running along a creek bed.
The township was surveyed in 1878 and Cleve was proclaimed on 6 March 1879, named by Governor Jervois after his cousin's county seat in Devon, England. The new town was only 27 kilometres from the shipping port of Arno Bay. Cleve is a unique inland Eyre Peninsula town in that it is not serviced by either rail or Ausbulk silo.
Take in the National Trust listed Old Council Chambers housing a museum of early day heritage attractions. Stand atop the lookout adjacent to the town, offering fine panoramic views. An attractive scenic drive follows the line of the Cleve-Cowell Hills. Fine views are obtained of the plains and Spencer Gulf. It is not uncommon to spot emus, kangaroos or mallee fowls during this drive.