Port Augusta, South Australia
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| Port Augusta South Australia |
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 Location of Port Augusta in South Australia (red) |
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| Population: | 13,897 (2006) |
| Postcode: | 5700 |
| Location: | 322 km from Adelaide |
| LGA: | City of Port Augusta |
| State District: | Stuart |
| Federal Division: | Grey |
Port Augusta (, is a city in South Australia, located at the head of the Spencer Gulf, 322 km north of state capital Adelaide.
A natural harbour, the port was settled on 24 May 1852 by Alexander Elder and John Grainger. The port was named after Augusta Sophia, Lady Young, the wife of the Governor of South Australia, Sir Henry Edward Fox Young.
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[edit] Government
Port Augusta is the seat of the City of Port Augusta local government area.
It is in the state electorate of Stuart, and the federal Division of Grey. Its postcode is 5700.
[edit] Railways
In 1878, the town became the southern terminus of a proposed North South transcontinental line, headed for Darwin 2500km away. This 3' 6" gauge line never got there, and was later taken over by the Commonwealth in 1910, to be renamed the Central Australian Railway.
Between 1913 and 1917, an East West Transcontinental railway 2000km long was built from Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. This was built in 4' 8½" gauge as part of a long term plan to harmonise gauges between the mainland states, causing a temporary 60 year break-of-gauge at Port Augusta.
In the 1990s the Pichi Richi heritage Railway reached Port Augusta from Quorn.
The standard gauge Central Australian Railway to Darwin was finally completed in 2003.
It is also a stop on the Indian Pacific trans-continental train service.
[edit] Tourism
Port Augusta has been able to capitalise upon the growing eco tourism industry from its proximity to the Flinders Ranges. The Pichi Richi Railway is a major drawcard, connecting Port Augusta to the town of Quorn through Pichi Richi Pass.
Within Port Augusta is the City of Port Augusta's Wadlata Outback Centre, providing many tourist's introduction to life in the Australian outback. Entry is cheap compared to many capital city attractions of a similar quality.
North of town, on the Stuart Highway, are the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. The gardens have a cafe/restaurant with stunning views across the saltbush plains to the escarpment of the Flinders Ranges.
South-west of town, on the El-Alamein army base, is the Baxter Immigration Detention Centre.
[edit] Shopping
Commercial Road is the main street. Major outlets include Big-W and Woolworths. Also situated in Commercial Road are several chain stores, some of which include Sanity Music, Sportscene, Just Jeans and Target. There is also a local surf shop, Saltbush Surf and Leisure, situated just off of Commercial Road.
[edit] External links
- Terraserver.com satellite image of Port Augusta
- Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden
- Wadlata Outback Centre
- Pichi Richi Railway
| Indian Pacific | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook | ↔ | Port Augusta | ↔ | Adelaide |
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State of South Australia |
|---|---|
| Topics |
History | Government | Flag | Rail transport | Country Fire Service |
| Capital | Adelaide |
| Regions |
Adelaide Hills | Barossa Valley | Clare Valley | Eyre Peninsula | Fleurieu Peninsula | Flinders Ranges | Limestone Coast | Mid North | Nullarbor Plain | Riverland | Yorke Peninsula |
| Cities |
Adelaide | Port Augusta | Mount Gambier | Murray Bridge | Port Lincoln | Port Pirie | Whyalla |
