Friday 19 February 2016

Port Augusta, South Australia

Port Augusta is a small city in South Australia. It is a seaport and railway junction city mainly located on the east coast of the Spencer Gulf immediately south of the gulf's head and about 322 kilometres north of the state capital Adelaide.
14,527 people in the area of Port Augusta.

Port Augusta is about 68 klm northeast of Iron Knob.  See previous post on Iron Knob.

By 1852 South Australian colonists had settled in Port Augusta and the town soon became a thriving commercial centre and port, serving the needs of pastoralists in the truly vast hinterlands to the north. For a time wool exports were the mainstay of Port Augusta's economy with many London sailing clippers bearing cargoes to English wool mills. 

By the 1870s wheat had overtaken wool as Port Augusta's chief export. Early promises of a thriving wheat industry proved illusory however. Rainfall was too unreliable and the area was subject to frequent droughts. The area soon resorted to its previous pastoral activities.

Today Port Augusta's unique geographic position sees it as a major service centre for travellers and freight trucks crossing the Nullarbor. In many respects Port Augusta is also the southern gateway to the Northern Territory. Travellers heading north can do so via the Stuart Highway. An alternate means of transport is to take a more leisurely journey via the "Ghan" rail service which was extended from Alice Springs to Darwin in 2003. 
Information taken from [ here  ] 



Our Caravan and vehicle at the Big 4 Caravan Park, Port Augusta.
Plus washing on the line.


This building is opposite the Police Station.


The Railway Station building.




The Court House.


Older house in Port August.
This one has a lawn, most have gravel, concrete or tiles due to the lack of water.


 Bird of Paradise - Strelitzia


Map of where Iron Knob is and Port Augusta.

42 comments:

  1. I like your caravan. Beautiful buildings and bird of paradise.

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  2. great post with amazing photos including tiny yellow flower ,liked the court house and railway station most

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    1. Those buildings you mentioned are nice, the flower is different.

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  3. MARGARET,one more interesting town . The buildings look neat and the area is clean

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    1. Somewhat clean is the town, I was surprised seeing water is short.

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  4. I would love a Strelitzia plant, but I would have to keep it in the conservatory.

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    1. Strelitzias are a good plant. Do you have access to one to grow in your conservatory?

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  5. Another day I move in your caravan to visit beautiful cities .

    Kisses

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  6. It looks like a quintessential country town. Love it. Thank you.

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    1. It does look a classic town in one way, but it's different in another.
      There are many Aboriginals in the area who seems to take a pride in their town.

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  7. Good report Margaret.
    I visited for a day on a trip from Burra via Peterborough in the
    MIDDLE of one of SA's "delightful" heat wave summer days.
    I can tell you, IF there was a sea breeze from the Gulf, then it was
    useless!
    No wonder in that area wheat was a failure. Drought times would triumph,
    and wheat does need some reliable rain.
    Port Augusta might be a place to visit in Spring or Autumn - the winters would be freezing from the winds off the Southern Ocean and in summer - well anyone interested - go find out yourselves! ha ha.
    Cheers
    Colin
    PS: Good reply to Y.K.W. - ha ha

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    1. We have been fortunate with our visits to Port Augusta in winter, the wind wasn't too bad but the weather was not cold either.

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  8. The best laid plans....
    As always wonderful information and pictures.
    Have a good one.

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  9. Fabulous Port August, what beautiful buildings, well taken Margaret.

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    1. Thanks Bob. I seeked these building out :)

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    2. Yes, you seeked them out beautifully. Great photos of the older buildings in Port Augusta.

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  10. I love the older buildings you often get in country Australia, I was very fond of South Australia but the weather can be to hot for me.
    Merle..........

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    1. Have only been in SA in winter, so the weather was rather cool, but from the forecast it does get hot in summer, then flows onto Tasmania.

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  11. great tour, thank you for your time

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  12. I've never thought of it being a very nice town but some of its buildings look ok.

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    1. Parts of Port Augusta are really nice, but without water to clean the footpaths some of them look a but scruffy.

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  13. You certainly have travelled wide and far throughout this wonderful country of ours - and I'm so glad you willingly share your travels, your photos and experiences with us. Thank you. :)

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    1. You are welcome.
      There are many places we haven't been as we just don't seem to get to every place in Australia.

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  14. The people in the house with the lawn might have a well and be watering with bore water. A lot of people in Adelaide do the same, while everyone elses lawns brown off for the summer.
    I remember Port Augusta, I stayed for a week a long time ago now, visiting my dad in the hospital there.
    I remember waiting for hours (pre-dawn) at the Railway Station building when it was time to come home again.

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  15. Schöne Bilder und Bericht von der Stadt.

    Gruß
    Noke

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  16. Special houses, they all look rather big.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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    1. They are larger but then one is the Court House which is used for legal things. The white one opposite the police station, have no idea what that's used for.
      The other house is a private one.

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  17. In some respects it looks like an old frontier town in western North America.

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  18. Friends recently bought tickets for a trip on the Ghan this year. It's a trip that sounds very interesting.

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    1. That sound be fun, not my cup of tea though but it's a trip so many people like to do and enjoy.

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  19. Loved these pictures! I would love to Visit Australia.
    Lisa

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    1. Thanks. One day you might get the opportunity to travel to Australia.

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