Australian Towns & Cities
South Australia: Port Augusta
Incorporating photos and Information from Michael Greenslade's former Australian Towns, Cities and Highways site

Port Augusta, one of South Australia's premier regional cities is often dubbed the "Crossroads of Australia" due to its geographical position and being at the head of the Spencer Gulf. The city lies at the junction of the Eyre and Stuart Highways as well as being near three other key roads, the Lincoln Hwy (25km south-west), the B83 (7km east) and the B56 (20km south-east) and also at several major rail junctions (incl Indian Pacific & Ghan passenger lines).

The city was established in the 1850's as a major port for inland wool, what and mining industries. While the port has since closed, the city has become the home for SA's regional power station which provides a third of the state's electricity, has several large rail workshops and El Alamein army training base is 9km south. The city is also an obvious key northern centre for tourists, travellers and the surrounding pastoral industries with no shortage of service stations, motels and shops. Port Augusta is also home to outback SA's Royal Flying Doctor Service and School of the Air. Additionally in town are the excellent Wadlata Outback Centre (recommended!), the Arid Botanic Gardens, the Port Augusta bridge and Yorkeys Crossing (road and rail crossings over the Spencer Gulf) and several lookouts. The city itself, while known for a few crime problems is excellent considering the arid environment it lies in. Lovely, green and shady city centre with an upgraded Commercial Street and waterfront.


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Preview: Description:
Spencer Gulf:
View east over Port Augusta, the old and new bridges and Spencer Gulf from the Water Tower lookout, December 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Spencer Gulf:
Spencer Gulf at Port Augusta, December 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Foreshore Park:
Foreshore on the eastern edge of Spencer Gulf, Port Augusta, December 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Port Augusta Railway Station:
View of Pt Augusta railway station, December 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Mackay Street:
Mackay Street, looking south-east in Port Augusta, December 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Jervois Street:
Jervois St in Port Augusta, December 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Port Augusta Town Centre:
Commercial Street, December 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Port Augusta Town Centre:
Commercial Street, looking north-west in Port Augusta at the Jervois St junction, December 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

1 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census Quickstats

Last updated: 23-Dec-2020 21:06

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