Port Augusta is a town of contrasts. There is the waterway near the top end of Spencer Gulf making the place that much more attractive. Then as soon as you're heading out of town, you're into semi arid surrounds that seem to be another world. If you choose to drive up and over the ranges nearby, you're pretty soon into cropping country that in spring is verdant green. It's all a sort of eye-popper to the traveller that time of the year and makes for a great journey down to Adelaide on the inland route.

The big surprise for a sou'Westerner is the sight of mangroves lining the Gulf waters around those parts. Apart from what must be a relict stand of mangroves in the Leschenault Inlet at Bunbury, left over from some past time, you have to go north to near Carnarvon to see mangroves in the West.

 Just out of Pt Augusta is the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens with viewing platform, interpretive boards and walkways to take in the botany and birdlife. It really highlights the contrast between the town with its greenery, then right outside, the arid country surrounding. Follow the road along from there and you're on your way to the red centre! 

A few kilometres further up the road, and it's even more like a semi-desert scene. In downtown Pt Augusta, the Wadlata Outback Centre with its informative displays, gives the visitor a lot of info on some of the landforms, features and places to see in outback SA: a must-visit!

Back in town, the views over to the red mountain country have a picturesque backdrop. At this point you're looking over what is the last gasp of Spencer Gulf. A kay or two upstream from here, the waterway peters out to be lost in the red dirt of arid SA. Near there a rough crossing, Yorkies Crossing, served to connect the town to the west before the bridges were built.

Although this wharf was built much later I believe, the port has served the surrounds since the mid 19th century. Nowadays the trains no longer rumble along these boards and I doubt any sizeable ship has tied up here for many a year. It's an enjoyable stroll along this stretch, and young folk use the floating jetty further along to take a cool dip. The jetties and backing reserve are a lovely contrast to the extensive shopping centre and parking area right alongside. 

It seems incongruous to see yachts and launches moored or lying on the flats at low tide, and dry country mesas and hills a quick drive away, but that's how it is in Port Augusta. The town's wharf is opposite.

This jetty on the west side of the port has its moments as a fishing spot. Nearby is an excellent boat ramp well used by locals to go down the gulf for a dabble. And just up the road is a tackle shop. We dropped a tiny berley pot on a long cord from here and were rewarded with a nice catch of small salmon (over legal size of course!) for a home-cooked fish feed. Although we are fishing tragics, we were to only have one other self-caught fish meal during the trip. Priority for this trip.. Show Nik the east side..  and, um, reconnoitre for possible other more fishy trips  

Beauty of this spot is you can repair to the pub right across from the pier to drown your sorrows if you fail to catch.

Not too far from the said fishing jetty is this lookout tower which was originally a water tower. It was used as a lookout in WWII in case any Japanese planes or vessels managed to get this far away from the hot spots. Of course it didn't happen, but one must be prepared. The views from here are worth the climb - bit of a challenge - but our photos were compromised by the dull cloudy day.

The much needed Great Western Bridge was opened in 1927, with a reconstruction in 1944. By the '70s it was badly showing its age and was closed to traffic in 1972, being replaced by a new bridge nearby, subsequently named the Joy Baluch Bridge after the Port's long serving mayor. This lady is a most notable person who served on Council for 11 years before becoming mayor, where she presided for a remarkable 29 years until near her death. She was known and feted as a straight talker, a sometime user of colourful language if need be, and got things done! Got to respect this feisty and much-loved lady who has a bronze statue in a town park to perpetuate her memory. 

The old bridge is open to pedestrians. I would have crossed it with my parents way back in 1956, but I have no memory of it. Quite a treat to tread it again though.

We stayed at Port Augusta Big 4 Caravan Park going both ways. Situated just as you enter town from the west. Apart from an ant problem in the bays (white stone covered) and in one toilet block, it was friendly, good facilities, with shopping, fuel and that fishing jetty not far away. 

-- Edited by JocknNik on Thursday 31st of August 2017 03:24:13 AM