Port Augusta – Top of the Gulf

The road to Port Augusta was long and mostly straight. We passed many more salt lakes and arrived in Port Augusta early afternoon. It was lovely to see a large mass of water after the dry 'red centre'. We set up at the Sports Club Motorhome Park and went to get the gas bottle filled, now that we are back in civilisation :) The RV Park filled up quickly, so we are glad that we got there early. The sites are marked by white posts, so everyone has a designated area. There is a dump point, and drinking water, but no toilets – except when the club is opened. It is located behind a high wire fence but has an open gate. Cost is $7 per night, and meals are served Wednesday to Saturday at the club. A great place to unhitch and explore the area. We stayed 4 nights and met some lovely people, including a couple we met at Easter in Lynhurst, near Bathurst. We had a wonderful dinner at the club with friends on Wednesday night. Well worth it.

In 1802 Matthew Flinders named the Spencer Gulf in his journey to find a water way between New Holland and New South Wales. Flinders named Mt Brown, Mt Arden, Point Lowly, and Curlew Point.

Edward John Eyre passed through the area in 1839/40. Settlers began to farm the area in the 1840's and by 1851 pastoral leases were granted. Port Augusta was named by A. L. Elder on 24^th May, 1852, after Augusta Sophia Marryat who married the Governor of South Australia. We walked around the town and it was sad to see the old buildings with windows broken and not being used. Very sad when so much money has been spent in other areas.

Wadlata Centre is the local information centre, and the lady there was very helpful. There is a coffee shop and gift area as well. There is a little bit of Ghan history outside, and an Outback Centre 'Time Tunnel' which takes one from the land of the traditional owners right through to today.

We did some shopping in Coles, but there is also a Wollies and Target and Big W, as well as 'Cheap as Chips' – wish they were in Queensland. Port Augusta is the biggest town we have been to this trip since Brisbane. There is a beautiful mural with 2500 hand painted tiles which tell the story of Port Augusta.

There is a heritage walk around town and many history boards with old photos placed to show the old and the new. Very interesting. There is a lot of art work also in and around the town.