| PORT AUGUSTA - SOUTH AUSTRALIA - 5700 | ||||
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Population: 17,000 Height above sea level: 5m Latitude: -32.2932 Longitude: 137.4555 Location: 310km north of Adelaide Highway: Stuart (87) & Eyre (1) Highways Nearest Major Town: Port Augusta Nearest Airport: Port Augusta Touring Area: Flinders Ranges & The Outback |
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Port Augusta is located at the head of Spencer Gulf, 300 km. north of Adelaide,
at the junction of the Stuart Highway (87) to Alice Springs and the Eyre Highway
(1) to Perth. It is the crossroads to Darwin, Perth, Adelaide and Sydney. It is also a staging point for tours of the Flinders Ranges and the Birdsville Track. It was first charted by Matthew Flinders in 1802 and developed as a major port servicing the primary industries of the outback. There are many motels and caravan parks for the weary traveller and a busy commercial centre provides most needs. Nearby the Pitchi Richi steam railway at Quorn is a popular detour, as are visits to the Eyre Peninsula. There is much to see in Port Augusta. The interpretive centre at the Wadlata Information Centre, the Port Augusta Royal Flying Doctor Base and the School of the Air, Flinders Lookout, Curdnatta Art & Craft Gallery, the Water Tower Lookout provides panoramic views over the city, and all around are the beautiful Flinders Ranges and the Spencer Gulf. Port Augusta is a great place to spend a few days and explore the interesting area. PLACES OF INTEREST: Arid lands gardens just north of the city on the Stuart Highway. See Sturt Desert Pea and other plants which grow naturally in the harsh conditions. Guided tours. Guided tours twice weekly of the locomotive and wagon workshops, machine shops and apprentice training facility. Weekday tours of this coal fired power generation complex Offers excellent views of Spencer Gulf and the Flinders Ranges from where Flinders stepped ashore on March 10, 1802. Tours of the working Flying Doctor Base. Audio visual and viewing area displays of the School which broadcasts lessons to outback children. The RFDS Service began in 1951. See School of the Air Story. Interpretive and Information Centre displaying Aboriginal Heritage and Culture, early exploration and other interesting themes through memorabilia and audio visual displays. Excellent views over the area and to the Flinders Ranges from this tower built in 1882 to supply water pressure to the town.
INFORMATION CENTRE: Wadlata Outback Centre Flinders Tce. Port Augusta. SA 5700 Ph: 08 8642 4511 HOW TO GET THERE: By car along Highway 1 from Adelaide. (300km). The Stuart Hwy from the north and Alice Springs, The Eyre Highway (1) from the west and Perth. | ||||||||
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© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins | |