If you’re looking for fun and exciting activities in Port Pirie, you’ve come to the right place. The city of Port Pirie is located on the east coast of Spencer Gulf, about 223 kilometres north of Adelaide. The history of the city is extensive, dating back to 1845. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve compiled a list of things to do in Port Pirie.
History of Port Pirie
Located on the eastern shore of the Spencer Gulf, the sixth largest city in South Australia is the site of the world’s largest lead smelter. The city is also a major port serving the surrounding rural areas and mines. The city has a rich history and a well-deserved reputation for friendliness. Today, Port Pirie is a vibrant industrial town with a large market garden. The town is located 224 kilometers north of Adelaide.
The town became a true overseas port in 1861, when the barque County of Merioneth unloaded wheat from the nearby Port. In the following years, the town became a bustling port, hosting three large properties. In the 1970s, the city began building wharves to accommodate more cargo. By 1871, Port Pirie was surveyed and incorporated as a municipality. While it has since lost its old rail service, the town is still an important cultural and economic center.
There are numerous historic buildings in the town. The St Mark’s Cathedral, which was originally built in 1845, was rebuilt in 1953 after a fire destroyed the original. Florence Street has a Greek Orthodox Church. A nineteenth-century wharf was also built. In addition to the historic wharf, the town’s main commercial district has a thriving arts scene. Today, the Port Pirie River runs through the city.
Port Pirie RSL Museum
If you’re interested in the history of Australia’s Pacific region, you should visit the Port Pirie RSL Museum. This state-of-the-art museum pays tribute to the nation’s servicemen and women from all wars, but focuses especially on Port Pirie service personnel. In addition to the history of the region, the museum has a beautiful theater. In the afternoon, head over to the Port Pirie RSL Museum to enjoy a day of education.
The museum is housed in the Returned Services League Club and has sections for every conflict since the Second Boer War in 1899. From the Second Boer War to the 21st century operations in Afghanistan, there’s a section for you to learn about each conflict. Personal accounts, authentic artifacts, and multimedia points tell the story of these men and women. You can even see a preserved Bell UH-1 “Huey” helicopter. You’ll find souvenirs and other goodies in the museum’s gift shop.
In addition to the Huey, you can see other war memorabilia. The Huey helicopter, a UH1-1H model, flew in the Vietnam War and is now on display at the Port Pirie RSL Museum. It was used to carry 14 troops and six stretchers, or equivalent cargo. You can touch it too! If you’re a Vietnam War veteran, it’s a great way to honor your service in the community.
Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre
For a unique cultural experience and information about the Port Pirie region, visit the Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre. This multi-award-winning, nationally accredited arts centre is located in the historic former Port Pirie Railway Station. Visitors can buy art and gift items from the museum store or pick up a locally-made jam or chocolate at the café. The centre offers free Wi-Fi and is adjacent to the Stateliner bus terminal.
The Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre is a dynamic community hub that features a Port Pierie Visitor Information Centre, the Port-Pirie Regional Art Gallery, the Stateliner bus terminal, and an Internet Centre. Several attractions are located in and around the centre, including the Pirie Rail Express Miniature Railway and the Women’s Keeper Garden. A 1.6-kilometre landscape heritage walk also features beautiful gardens and a sculpture garden.
The Port-Pirie Heritage Centre combines a rich history of the town with attractions and a contemporary art gallery. The museum houses the iconic Silver Tree Fern, as well as relics of the town’s Railway Station. Similarly, the architecture of the building evokes the ship’s bow, paying homage to Port Pirie’s maritime history. Dog spikes and paving along the entrance ramp reflect the town’s maritime history.
Port Pirie National Trust Museum
Port Pirie National Trust Museum is housed in a historic Victorian pavilion style building, which was completed in 1902. This heritage-listed structure served as the town’s main terminus until 1967. It is now the home of the Port Pirie National Trust Museum, which houses natural history specimens and a raft of everyday objects. Visitors can climb up the tower or view the old narrow gauge shunting engine. Parking is available for cars.
A trip to the National Trust Museum in Port Pirie is a fascinating way to learn about the town’s history. The museum is located in the same area as a former fishing dock, where fishermen used to launch their boats. It also features displays that explain how Italian migrants were able to make a living fishing in the area. There is also a plank-hulled fishing boat in the museum’s collection.
The Port Pirie Art Gallery is also worth a visit. This community art space features a number of rotating exhibitions, community displays, and opportunities for emerging artists. The Port Pirie National Trust Museum is located near the jetty and bridge, adjacent to a grassy foreshore and playground. There is also a covered pavilion with barbecue facilities. There are also free parking lots near the museum. Getting around Port Pirie is easy.
John Pirie Bridge
If you are interested in exploring the city of Port Pirie, then you should consider visiting the John Pirie Bridge, better known as the bridge to nowhere. Located in the Port Pirie Creek, this bridge offers stunning views of the city and the Nyrstar smelter. It’s also a popular water skiing beach and has a number of mangroves that support a variety of birdlife and fish.
While the bridge might be the focal point of a city, some residents refer to it as ‘The Bridge to Nowhere.’ Jean Smith says she sees it as a bridge that leads nowhere. Others, like Ian and Lynette Pole, enjoy taking their grandchildren across the bridge. Ted Connelly believes the land could be developed into a large industry in the future. However, there are many other things to do in Port Pirie.
If you enjoy exploring the local history, Port PIrie is an ideal destination for you. The city is home to South Australia’s second-largest seaport. The city was founded in 1845 and has a charming small-town vibe. You can find friendly locals and experience a unique sense of heritage as you stroll the streets. The city has many museums and galleries where you can learn about its past and heritage.
Northern Festival Centre
Located on the eastern shore of the Spencer Gulf, Port Pirie SA is the second largest port in South Australia and is home to the Northern Festival Centre. It is a modern performing arts centre but still screens movies. The venue features ballrooms, restaurants, and meeting rooms for various events. The city is known for its steel industry and is an industrial hub for the region. The Northern Festival Centre offers an ideal venue for your next event.
Weroona Island
The small rural town of Weroona Island, South Australia, lies in the Spencer Gulf, 210km north of Adelaide. The island is home to a renowned shipwreck and is surrounded by mudflats and sandy beaches. A causeway connecting the island to the mainland is 300m long. If you’re traveling by car, there are plenty of fuel stations and restaurants to fuel up your car.
The city’s Museum of the Returned Services League is an edifice to celebrate the military. The museum contains sections dedicated to each major war, from the Second Boer War (1899-1902) to 21st century operations in Afghanistan. Visitors can view authentic artifacts, read personal accounts, and watch multimedia points. One of the museum’s attractions is the preserved Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter.
The town’s closures of fishing have caused a controversy. Fishing is prohibited in the waters adjacent to the township, upstream of the Main South Road Bridge, and downstream of the Weeroona Island Boat Ramp. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions has decided to stick with the closures for another year, while tests for heavy metals are conducted. The government is urging people not to eat seafood from these zones, and has warned people to refrain from consuming shellfish from the area.
Pastoralists’ Point
The first Greek Orthodox church in South Australia was founded in Port Pirie in the early 1920s. In a former wooden Anglican church, the Greek priest and his flock worked in the city, and eventually became the first Greek church in the state. In 1957, a new Greek Orthodox Church opened in the city’s Florence Street. This cathedral replaced the former Peterborough Cathedral and has now become the second largest in SA.
The museum is operated by the Returned Services League Club in Port Pirie and contains sections on every major war in Australian history, from the Second Boer War in 1899 to 21st century operations in Afghanistan. The museum includes personal accounts, authentic artifacts, and multimedia points, and features a preserved Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter. The town’s main urban park is a sprawling parcel of mature trees, a playground, and barbecue facilities.
For those looking to learn more about Port Pirie’s history, you can visit the historical museum, located where fishermen once launched their boats. The museum features many artifacts from local Italian migration. A picnic area overlooks the city, and the park is clean and tidy. You can enjoy a magnificent view of the Flinders Ranges from the park. You should also try to take a trip out to Mount Remarkable National Park while you’re in town.
