Whyalla, South Australia 2023

Date: 4th March 2023

Travelled: 180 kms from Port Pirie to Whyalla in South Australia   

Visited:  The Arid Lands Gardens, Port Augusta and Whyalla 

Stayed: Whyalla Foreshore CP, $34, S33.04220, E137.57936  

Budget: days @ $ per day

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Rolling out of Port Pirie we turn north onto the A1 once again. The western edge of the Flinders Ranges on our right, on our left, the Spencer Gulf. Whilst the road is only a couple of kms from the waters of the gulf the terrain is so flat we don’t catch a glimpse until we approach Port Augusta.

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There’s nothing on our hit list for Port Augusta other than The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, so we cross the Augusta Bridge onto the Eyre Peninsula before turning to the gardens.

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As the name implies the gardens highlight the plants of the arid landscape. It’s 33° when we start our walk. Taking a look at the map we decide on the highlights walk (the abridged version). It’s an interesting walk and we are surprised by the variety of birds we spot as we wander about.

It was well worth the detour.

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On the road once again we drive south along the Lincoln Hwy into the Eyre Peninsula. The heat continues as does the arid landscape. We follow a pipe line on our left and from time to time a rail line. A train passes at one point, it just goes on and on, perhaps a hundred carriages or more.

90 minutes later, Whyalla approaches.

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Whyalla has a population of 21,000 plus people but we never find any of them to be honest. You could safely fire a gun down the main street without turning a head. Down on the water front its much the same. There are a few kids jumping of the pier and that’s about it.

We walk the foreshore and pier for an hour grabbing some shade when we find it. The high point being a pod of dolphins circling the harbour.

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Deciding it’s too far to drive on we find a CP and check in for the evening. The place is full and we take one of the last two spots. The high point being watching the tide come in at walking pace as the sun sets.

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Michael + Pam