14 Things To Do In Port Augusta: Don’t Dismiss This Quirky Destination!
Sooner or later, most travellers in Australia will reach the great crossroads at the head of Spencer Gulf that is Port Augusta, South Australia.
It’s actually called the “crossroads of Australia” for a reason – many roadtrippers stop overnight either going to or coming from their main destination.
…But not many of them consider staying an extra day (or two, or three) to explore the town and its surroundings. Big mistake!
They miss out on the unique experience of the Time Tunnel in Wadlata Outback Centre, the views from the Water Tower or the Matthew Flinders lookouts, or even hopping on a steam train on the Pichi Richi Railway.
There are also a few hotspots nearby for nature lovers, like the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, the Flinders Ranges, and the Mount Remarkable National Park with its seasonal wildflowers
This guide will give you 14 things to do in Port Augusta, so you think twice before just “pass through” this small town.
We’ll also include places to stay, where to eat and different ways to get there to help you with your planning!
Table of Contents
14 Best things to do in Port Augusta
There are a few epic activities to do during your visit to Port Augusta:
1) Wadlata Outback Centre and its Time Tunnel
This tourist information centre is pretty unique, as it’s home to the famous “Tunnel of Time”, a one-of-a-kind interactive display,
It starts with you walking into the jaws of Max, a giant ripper lizard. From there, you’ll be transported into prehistory, during the creation of the region back when Australia was part of Gondwanaland.
This ancient history lesson is never dull as it moves through aeons (via interactive displays, dreamtime stories and intriguing facts) from the beginning of time to the present day in Port Augusta.
While this time travel won’t take millions of years, don’t underestimate the time you’ll want to spend here. It’s easy to spend several hours there, especially with breaks for lunch and/or morning and/or afternoon tea.
The centre is open usually between 9am and 4pm and it’s near Pichi Richi station. Check the website for current entry fees, here.
If you run out of time on this visit, just pick up a pass-out from the Wadlata staff and come back to finish it off another time!
2) The Water Tower Lookout
The Water Tower Lookout’s views are superb.
You can see the boats, bridges and birds on the Spencer Gulf, the iconic silhouette of the power station, and the general landscape filled with parklands and houses that make up this town.
…But the way to the top is intense. The flights of stairs are horribly exposed, with a see-through metal mesh that doesn’t help either.
Luckily for us acrophobics, the stairs end in a fully enclosed viewing platform complete with wire mesh crisscrossing the view in four directions.
There’s also a thoughtfully placed hole in the middle of the stairs, just right for a camera lens. So, if you’re not afraid of heights (and even if you are), go to this place for the best lookouts in town. .
3) Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens
These 250-hectare gardens were established in 1993 as an initiative of the Port Augusta Council.
Look, if you’ve got a climate with extreme temperatures, lengthy periods of drought and low rainfall, then… why not create a garden to educate about the plants that THRIVE in arid conditions?
I mean – if you’ve got lemons, make lemonade!
There are a few short walking trails showcasing the plants, but the best one is the Red Cliff Walk. It’s a 4.5km loop hike with fine views from the edge of Spencer Gulf over the red cliffs, claypans, and mangroves.
bird hides (and over 100 bird species recorded), a nationally significant Eremophila garden, and lookouts.
There’s also the Bluebush Café and gift shop!
Entry to the gardens is free and they’re open all year round (other than Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Good Friday).
More info about the garden here.
4) Sunset at Matthew Flinders Red Cliff Lookout
This lookout is also in the Arid Lands Botanic Garden, but it deserves a spot of its own.
It’s worth a visit just for the staggering vista of the Spencer Gulf against the magnificent backdrop of the Flinders Ranges.
A landscape so fine that it can become a pleasure to stand atop the high and crumbling red cliff face. Almost.
But throw in a killer sunset and even a coward like me can forget the perils of standing on the edge!
5) Pichi Richi Railway and The Ghan
The Pichi Richi Railway is a 39-kilometre-long heritage steam railway originally built as part of the Great Northern Railway, to help develop South Australia’s outback back in the 19th and 20th centuries.
It connected Port Augusta with Quorn and was key in the economic development of the area. The famous Ghan passed through it up until 1956.
Nowadays, it operates as a heritage railway. From April to November, you can hop on it for a scenic ride through the stunning Flinders Ranges, sitting in fully restored carriages!
You can do the “Afghan Express”, a return trip that goes from Port Augusta to Quorn, with a layover of around 2 hours before heading back. It’s a great way to check out Quorn without doing the drive.
You can also do the “Pichi Richi Explorer”, which takes you from Quorn through the pass to Woolshed Flat.
The train is operated by volunteers – you can tell how much they love and respect their heritage. They help preserve an important part of South Australia’s rail history while providing a truly unique experience.
Get info on all the routes, timetables, and bookings here.
6) Visit Quorn and the Quandong Café
Even if you don’t want to do the Afghan Express, don’t miss the chance to visit Quorn. It’s a 30-minute drive north east from Port Augusta.
It’s a small town with a few galleries, historic buildings, cafés, pubs, an Agricultural Museum, and the Powell Gardens (a botanic garden).
And if you’re a fan of scones (like I am), definitely stop by the Quandong Café! They are AWESOME. Plus you’ll have the opportunity to taste the delicious quandong jam – the perfect complement to those scones.
If the Quorn scenery looks familiar, it may be because some films have been shot in the area, such as:
The controversial “The Water Diviner” (2014)
“Wolf Creek” 1 and 2 (2005 and 2013)
“Tracks” (2013)
“The Shiralee” (1986)
“Gallipoli” (1981)
7) Go hiking on Mount Remarkable National Park
This “remarkable” park is under a 40-minute drive from Port Augusta (35 minutes if you’re staying in Quorn) and it’s known for its excellent hiking opportunities among the rugged landscape.
It’s also one of the best places to see wildflowers in South Australia, so don’t skip it if you visit in spring.
There are several walking trails available with different lengths and difficulty levels. The most popular are:
The Alligator Gorge. There are a few loops that start there, ranging from 2 km to 10 km.
The Summit Hike, a 12km loop with rewarding views of the region.
A section of the Heysen Trail.
You can also stay in the park! There are a few campsites and lodgings. More info about the park, campsites, fees, and more here.
8) Camp at Warren Gorge
This jaw-dropping gorge is a 45-minute drive from Port Augusta. It’s a first come, first serve camping spot with BBQ facilities, excellent for an epic adventure in the outdoors.
There are a few hikes available too, just be mindful as some sections are steep and there are loose surfaces at times. There’s a chance to spot the adorable yellow-footed rock wallaby, too!
More info on fees here.
9) See the wildflowers
Even though it’s the driest state in the country, South Australia has a wildflower season from August to October.
Common species include the Sturt Desert Pea, Eremophila, Gold Dust Wattle, and Poached-egg Daisy. There’s also the Chocolate Lily which, as the name implies, smells like chocolate during warm days!
Two of the best places to see them are near Port Augusta – Flinders Ranges, and Mount Remarkable National Park. The Eyre Peninsula is a hotspot as well if you want to do the 4-hour drive from town.
Note: The best place to see wildflowers in Australia is in Western Australia, here’s a complete guide with a free map of the hotspots!
10) Gladstone Square
This square is a green-grass haven for those tired of the arid scenery. It’s across the street from the town hall and the Port Augusta Cultural Centre.
There are plenty of benches to sit and relax, as well as a roofed, fenced playground for the kids to play at.
11) Check out Blanche Harbour
This small coastal town sits at a mere 20-minute drive south of Port Augusta, along the western side of the upper Spencer Gulf.
The drive itself is beautiful, as you’ll see the sparsely vegetated dry hills of the outback to the right, contrasting with the brilliant blue of the gulf on the left, and the intriguing skyline of the Flinders Ranges beyond.
With a landscape like this, it’s no wonder the gulf is lined with holiday shacks!
Once in Blanche Harbour, atop a low hill above the car park, there’s a marvellous vantage point inside a picnic shelter that tells the story of this place while showing off its natural attractions.
But it didn’t always look this good. The “before” photos show what the area looked like +15 years ago, when a group of concerned “shackies” banded together to reverse the ravages of rubbish dumping and off-road vehicle driving.
Now, with revegetation well underway and stunning scenery, Blanche Harbour is a place of beauty and peace.
Awesome spots at driving distance from Port Augusta
While you’re in Port Augusta, consider doing a day trip to any of these epic spots:
12) Flinders Ranges
Exploring the Flinders Ranges will take a LOT longer than a weekend, but some hotspots can be visited in a day when driving from Port Augusta:
Arkaroo Rock
Bunyeroo Valley
Stokes Hill Lookout
Wilpena Pound
Blinman Mine
13) Copley
If you’re keen on exploring the outback charm, go to Copley. It’s under a 3-hour drive north of Port Augusta.
Things to do here include:
Visiting the Aroona Dam Sanctuary for easy walking trails and wildlife spotting
Climbing Flat Top for panoramic views of the town
If you’re lucky, grab a bite at the Farina bakery, which only opens 8 weeks of the year
14) Kimba
The “Halfway Across Australia” sign is there, under a 2-hour drive west of Port Augusta.
Kimba is a small, quirky town in the middle of the Eyre Highway. The local council is doing its very best to bring tourists – otherwise, why would there be an 8-metre statue of a pink Galah in the middle of town?
When is the best time to visit Port Augusta?
The best time to visit Port Augusta is from April to October, the cooler months. The weather is great, ranging from 15°C to 25°C – perfect for outdoor activities.
If you want to do mostly hikes, we’d recommend trying to visit specifically in September as most wildflower species will be in full bloom at this time.
The worst time to visit is in summer, as temperatures can go above 40°C.
There’s little to no shade either, so if you visit during this time, bring a hat and sunscreen, and plan your activities early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat.
How to get to Port Augusta by plane?
Port Augusta airport is not open for regular flights at the moment. The nearest airport that does is in Whyalla, a 1-hour drive from town.
Whyalla Airport receives direct flights from Adelaide (1-hour flights) pretty much daily. The average for a round-trip is $700 (AUD) but you can find better deals if you look in Trip.com.
They have price alerts like Google Flights but often with better deals (sometimes even better than booking with the airline directly). Check Trip.com here!
From there you can hire a taxi to take you to Port Augusta or rent a car. We recommend the latter, as it will be MUCH easier to get around.
We recommend looking in Discover Cars, as they are great at finding good deals while offering unlimited mileage in some of their rentals. The prices could change depending on the season, so compare with Rental Cars for good measure.
Getting to Port Augusta by car
It’s pretty straightforward to get to Port Augusta – it’s called the “crossroads of Australia” for a reason!
The nearest capital is Adelaide. The drive from there to Port Augusta covers around 300 kilometres, taking around 3.5 hours.
Make sure to fill up your tank in Port Wakefield or Snowtown, service stations get scarce the closer you get to Port Augusta.
Note: Port Augusta is a MUST stop in a road trip between Adelaide and Darwin, in the Northern Territory! You’ll drive through there anyway.
Getting there by coach
You can get there by coach from Adelaide. It’s the cheapest way to get there as the round ticket costs $100-$200 and you’ll be in Port Augusta in around 5 hours.
The bus operators are Stateliner and Greyhound.
How many days to stay in Port Augusta?
Spending about 2 to 3 days in Port Augusta is just right. This town is a gateway to the Outback and has enough to keep you busy for a short visit.
If you’re not planning to drive north, at least check out the Flinders Ranges! It’s close enough for a day trip and the scenery is just spectacular.
Where to stay in Port Augusta?
Here are some of the best places to stay in Port Augusta:
Best caravan park: Discovery Parks – Port Augusta offers comfortable accommodations for caravan travellers, just a 2-minute walk from the town center, sleeps up to 6.
Best budget-friendly stay: Pampas Motel has cosy and affordable rooms with modern amenities, making it a great choice for travellers. It’s a 17-minute walk from the town centre and sleeps up to 3.
Best for families and groups: Majestic Oasis Apartments provides modern, self-contained apartments with stunning waterfront views and excellent facilities. It’s a 7-minute walk from the town centre and sleeps up to 5.
Best hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites features comfortable rooms and suites with modern amenities, perfect for both short and extended stays. It’s an 18-minute walk from the town centre and sleeps up to 5.
Where to eat in Port Augusta?
Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, authentic Indian dishes, or classic fish and chips, we’ve got some top picks for you. Here are the must-try spots in town!
- Mamma Lou’s ($$) in Port Augusta serves divine food and top-notch coffee. Enjoy quick service, a cozy atmosphere, and their highly recommended Breakfast Burrito.
- Curries by Beard Brothers Indian Restaurant ($$) offers exquisite Indian cuisine with exceptional service in a warm, inviting atmosphere. A must-visit for delicious curries and accommodating dining experience.
- Golden Pearl Chinese Restaurant and Takeaway ($$) offers tasty, old-fashioned Chinese food with generous portions and friendly service. Enjoy gluten-free and vegetarian options in a clean and welcoming atmosphere.
- Standpipe Restaurant ($$) offers a charming, timeless ambiance and authentic Indian cuisine. Enjoy a delightful dining experience with meticulously prepared dishes and warm hospitality.
- Gill’s Seafood & Chicken ($$) is a hidden gem offering delicious burgers, fresh salads, and a classic fish and chip experience. Despite its humble exterior, you’ll find great food, friendly service, and unbeatable value.
Top tips
Pack for the heat, especially in summer. It can get scorching, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.
If you’re planning to explore the nearby Flinders Ranges, make sure your vehicle is in good condition and you have a spare tyre. The roads can be rough, and it’s a bit remote out there.
Did you know?
Port Augusta was established in 1852, named after Augusta Sophia, the wife of Sir Henry Fox Young, the Governor of South Australia. It quickly became a significant port for shipping wool and other goods from the surrounding pastoral regions.
It also has a rich aboriginal background. The Port Augusta region is the traditional land of the Nukunu people.
FAQs
Why is Port Augusta a dry zone?
Port Augusta is a dry zone because it helps reduce alcohol-related problems in the community. It also creates a safer environment by limiting public drinking and antisocial behaviours.
This is not unique to this town, though. There are many dry zones in South Australia, like some areas of Adelaide City.
Can you drink tap water in Port Augusta?
Yes, you can drink tap water in Port Augusta. It has a bit of a taste to it, but it’s 100% safe to drink.
The bottom line
There are quite a few memorable things to do in the Port Augusta region.
Like the unique Wadlata Outback Centre and its Time Tunnel, the panoramic views of the Water Tower Lookout, or the hikes around the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden.
For a bit of nostalgia, hop on the Pichi Richi Railway for a scenic steam train ride through the Flinders Ranges!
And if you have extra time, consider visiting Quorn, Blanche Harbour, Flinders Range, or even Kimba!
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