View source for Port Augusta

{{Other uses| Port Augusta (disambiguation)}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type          = city
| name          = Port Augusta
| state         = sa
| image         = Jacaranda Time Port Augusta.jpg
| caption       = View across Spencer Gulf to Mount Brown
| coordinates   = {{coord|32|29|33|S|137|45|57|E|display=inline,title}}
| pop           = <!--leave blank to draw the latest automatically from Wikidata-->
| poprank       =
| density       =
| postcode      = 5700<ref>[http://www1.auspost.com.au/postcodes/index.asp?Locality=port+augusta&sub=1&State=SA&Postcode=&submit1=Search Australia Post]{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} – Postcode: Port Augusta, SA (26 June 2008)</ref>
| area          =
| timezone      =
| utc           =
| timezone-dst  =
| utc-dst       =
| dist1         = 310
| location1     = Adelaide via [[File:Australian National Route A1.svg|20px]]
| dist2 = 470
| location2 = [[Ceduna, South Australia|Ceduna]] via [[File:Australian National Route A1.svg|20px]]
| dist3 = 540
| location3 = [[Coober Pedy]] via [[File:Australian National Route A87.svg|20px]]
| lga           = City of Port Augusta
| stategov      = [[Electoral district of Stuart|Stuart]]<ref name=Stuart>{{cite web|title=District of Stuart Background Profile|url= https://ecsa.sa.gov.au/electoral-districts/electoral-district-profiles/stuart|publisher=Electoral Commission SA|access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref><br>
[[Electoral district of Giles|Giles]]<ref name=Giles>{{cite web|title=District of Giles Background Profile|url= https://ecsa.sa.gov.au/electoral-districts/electoral-district-profiles/giles|publisher=Electoral Commission SA|access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref>
| fedgov        = [[Division of Grey|Grey]]<ref name=AEC>{{cite web|title=Profile of the electoral division of Grey (SA)|url= https://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/sa/grey.htm|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref>
| maxtemp = 26.3
| mintemp = 12.2
| rainfall = 214.1
|native_name=Goordnada| est      = 1852
}}

'''Port Augusta''' (''Goordnada'' in the revived indigenous [[Barngarla language]])<ref name=goordnada>{{cite web |last1=Hamilton |first1=Jodie |title=Kindy kids learning Barngarla Indigenous language, spread joy as they talk |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-26/barngarla-language-exchange-kindergarten-adelaide-port-lincoln/100242208 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=6 October 2021 |date=26 June 2021}}</ref> is a coastal [[city]] in [[South Australia]] about {{convert|310|km}} by road from the state capital, [[Adelaide]]. Most of the city is on the eastern shores of [[Spencer Gulf]], immediately south of the gulf's head,<ref>[http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02011?OpenDocument Cat. No. 3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2011] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Accessed 10 August 2012.</ref> comprising the city's centre and surrounding suburbs, [[Stirling North]], and seaside homes at [[Commissariat Point, South Australia|Commissariat Point]], [[Blanche Harbor, South Australia|Blanche Harbor]] and [[Miranda, South Australia|Miranda]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/ |title=Journey through time |publisher=Port Augusta City Council |access-date=7 July 2023}}</ref> The suburb of [[Port Augusta West, South Australia|Port Augusta West]] is on the western side of the gulf on the [[Eyre Peninsula]].<ref>{{Citation | author1=Boating Industry Association of South Australia (BIA) | author2=South Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage | title=South Australia's waters an atlas & guide | date=2005 | publisher=Boating Industry Association of South Australia |page=209|isbn=978-1-86254-680-6}}</ref> Together, these localities had a population of 13,515 people in the  {{CensusAU|2021}}.

Formerly a [[port|seaport]], the city supports regional agriculture and services many mines in the South Australian interior to its north. A significant industry was electricity generation until 2019, when its coal-burning power stations were shut down. A [[Bungala Solar Power Farm|solar farm]] opened in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parkinson |first1=Giles |title=South Australia's biggest solar farm finally moves to full production |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/south-australias-biggest-solar-farm-finally-moves-to-full-production-78096/ |website=RenewEconomy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911195209/https://reneweconomy.com.au/south-australias-biggest-solar-farm-finally-moves-to-full-production-78096/ |archive-date=11 September 2020|access-date=7 July 2023 |language=en-AU |date=11 September 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
Port Augusta is part of [[Aboriginal Australians]]' [[Nukunu]] country, in which the local language is [[Barngarla]]. The last speaker of the language died in 1964, but successful efforts have been made to revive it based on a 3500-word dictionary compiled in the 1840s by German Lutheran pastor [[Clamor Wilhelm Schürmann]].<ref name=goordnada/><ref>[[Ghil'ad Zuckermann|Zuckermann, Ghil'ad]] (2020), [[w:en:Revivalistics|''Revivalistics: From the Genesis of Israeli to Language Reclamation in Australia and Beyond'']], [https://global.oup.com/academic/product/revivalistics-9780199812790 Oxford University Press]. {{ISBN|9780199812790}} / {{ISBN|9780199812776}}</ref>{{rp|230}} Its original Barngarla name is ''Goordnada''.<ref>[[Ghil'ad Zuckermann|Zuckermann, Ghil'ad]] and the Barngarla (2019), [https://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/ghilad.zuckermann?dsn=directory.file;field=data;id=41076;m=view''Barngarlidhi Manoo (Speaking Barngarla Together)''], Barngarla Language Advisory Committee. ([https://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/ghilad.zuckermann?dsn=directory.file;field=data;id=41096;m=view ''Barngarlidhi Manoo'' – Part II])</ref>{{rp|78}}

It is a natural harbour, which was proclaimed on 24 May 1852 by Alexander Elder (brother of [[Thomas Elder]]) and [[John Grainger (politician)|John Grainger]], having discovered it while aboard the Government schooner ''[[Yatala (clipper ship)#Other vessels named Yatala|Yatala]]'', captained by Edward Dowsett.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=61&c=5968|title=SA Memory: Port Augusta|publisher=State Library of South Australia|access-date=12 December 2017}}</ref> The port was named after Augusta Sophia, Lady Young, the wife of the Governor of South Australia, [[Henry Young|Sir Henry Edward Fox Young]]. Lady Young was the daughter of Charles Marryat Snr., who had been a slaveholder in the [[British West Indies]].<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.17613/d8ht-p058 |year=2019 |last1=Coventry |first1=CJ |title=Links in the Chain: British slavery, Victoria and South Australia |journal=Before/Now |volume=1 |issue=1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |work=Legacies of British Slave-ownership database |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/42069 |title=Charles Marryat |publisher=[[University College London]] |access-date=1 April 2019}}</ref> Her brother was the Anglican minister [[Dean of Adelaide]] [[Charles Marryat]].

== Flora and fauna ==
Marine species include resident species and migrating visitors. Occasional sightings are made of whales, sunfish, swordfish and turtles.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1942-11-19|title=Baby turtle caught at Port Augusta|pages=4|work=Port Lincoln Times (SA : 1927 - 1954)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96712773|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref><ref name="PORT AUGUSTA, June 6">{{Cite news|date=1868-06-13|title=PORT AUGUSTA, June 6.|pages=7|work=South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90038466|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1870-02-12|title=PORT AUGUSTA, FEBRUARY 4.|pages=3|work=South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28589168|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1880-09-17|title=PORT AUGUSTA, SEP. 15.|pages=3|work=Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 - 1954)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article99827778|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref>

==Demographics==
The city and its surrounds had a population of 13,515 people in the {{CensusAU|2021}}. It was therefore the fourth largest urban area outside of [[Adelaide]] after [[Mount Gambier]], [[Whyalla, South Australia|Whyalla]] and [[Port Lincoln, South Australia|Port Lincoln]]. 83.4% of residents were born in Australia and 20.8% were [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander]]. The most prevalent employment was community and personal service workers (17.7%), professionals (14.9%), technicians and trades workers (14.0%), labourers (13.1%), clerical and administrative workers (11.1%), sales workers (9.3%), machinery operators and drivers (9.3%), and managers (8.3%). The unemployment rate was 6.5% (South Australia: 5.4%). The median weekly household income was A$1277 per week.<ref>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SUA 4004|name=Port Augusta (Significant Urban Areas)|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/4004 |accessdate=13 July 2023|quick=on}}</ref>

==Transport==
Port Augusta is at the head of Spencer Gulf, a natural barrier to land transport, leading to the city being considered to be the "crossroads of Australia", the junction of major road and rail links.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/attractions/attractions |title=Attractions |date=24 September 2019 |publisher=Port Augusta City Council |access-date=7 July 2023}}</ref>

===Road===
Port Augusta is located at the eastern end of the [[Eyre Highway]] to [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] and at the northern end of the [[Augusta Highway]] to [[Adelaide]]. It is situated at the southern end of the [[Stuart Highway]] to [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]]. Virtually all road traffic across southern Australia passes through Port Augusta across the top of [[Spencer Gulf]].

Twice-daily coach services operate between Port Augusta, other country centres and Adelaide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stateliner.com.au/wp-content/uploads/whyalla-200223.pdf |title=Whyalla - Port Augusta - Port Pirie - Adelaide Timetable |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2023 |website=Stateliner |access-date=7 July 2023 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Rail===
[[File:Port Augusta railway station, 2017 (06).jpg|thumb|Port Augusta railway station|alt=Port Augusta railway station]]
In 1878, the town became the southern terminus of a proposed north–south transcontinental line headed for [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] {{convert|2500|km|abbr=on|comma=off}} away. As part of its commitments undertaken at [[Federation of Australia|Federation]], the [[Government of Australia|federal government]] took over this {{Track gauge|1067mm|comma=off}} [[narrow-gauge railway]] in 1911 and named it the "[[Central Australia Railway]]" in 1926. In 1929, it was extended to its last terminus at [[Alice Springs]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Babbage |first1=Jack |last2=Barrington  |first2=Rodney|date=1984 |title=The history of Pichi Richi Railway |location=Quorn, South Australia |publisher= Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society Inc. |isbn=0959850961 |page= 11}}</ref>

Between 1913 and 1917, a {{convert|2000|km|adj=on|abbr=on|comma=off}} long, east–west transcontinental railway, the [[Trans-Australian Railway]], was built from Port Augusta to [[Kalgoorlie railway station|Kalgoorlie]] in [[Western Australia]]. It was built to {{Track gauge|1435mm|comma=off}} standard gauge as part of a long-term plan to harmonise gauges between the mainland states. The choice created a [[break-of-gauge|break of gauge]] at Port Augusta until the standard gauge track was extended to [[Port Pirie, South Australia|Port Pirie]] in 1937. The last component of the all-through standard gauge [[Adelaide–Darwin rail corridor|line from Adelaide to Darwin]] was only completed in 2003.

[[Port Augusta railway station|Port Augusta]] is a stopping place of two long-distance [[Experiential travel|"experiential"]] train services: the [[East-West rail corridor|east-west]] ''[[Indian Pacific]]'' transcontinental service and ''[[The Ghan]]'' service between Adelaide and Darwin.

The not-for-profit [[Pichi Richi Railway]], established in the 1970s on the southernmost section of the Central Australia Railway (CAR) at [[Quorn railway station|Quorn]], was not connected to Port Augusta after the CAR closed in 1980. An ambitious project to build a line from [[Stirling North railway station|Stirling North]] to the centre of Port Augusta was completed in 2001 and now provides half-day and full-day heritage railway journeys on selected dates from March to November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pichirichirailway.org.au/ |title=Heritage railway operating since 1878 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2023 |website=Pichi Richi Railway |access-date=7 July 2023 }}</ref>

===Aviation===
[[Port Augusta Airport]], {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=off|0}} from the city, handles about 16,000 "[[fly-in fly-out]]" passengers a year who work at many mines in the north of [[South Australia]]. {{As of|2023}}, no other flights were available at the airport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/services/airport |title=Port Augusta Airport |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2023 |website=Port Augusta City Council |access-date=7 July 2023 }}</ref>

==Climate==
Port Augusta has a [[desert climate#hot desert climate|hot desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen:]] BWh), with hot summers, mild winters and minimal precipitation year-round.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j93qCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA98|title=Mediterranean-type Ecosystems: A data source book|last1=Specht|first1=R. L.|last2=Rundel|first2=P. W.|last3=Westman|first3=W. E.|last4=Catling|first4=P. C.|last5=Majer|first5=J. D.|last6=Greenslade|first6=P.|date=6 December 2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-94-009-3099-5|page=98}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.climate-data.org/oceania/australia/south-australia/port-augusta-588/|title=Port Augusta climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Port Augusta weather averages - Climate-Data.org|website=en.climate-data.org|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref> Some authors define it as [[semi-arid climate#hot semi-arid climate|hot semi-arid climate]] (BSh).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i_IEegQ3HzYC&pg=PA14|title=The New Ornamental Garden|last=Rickard|first=Simon|date=2011|publisher=Csiro Publishing|isbn=978-0-643-09596-0|page=14}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=66649&cityname=Port+Augusta,+South+Australia,+Australia|title=Port Augusta, South Australia Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref> Temperatures vary throughout the year, with average maxima ranging from {{convert|34.1|C}} in January to {{convert|18.0|C}} in July, while average minima fluctuate between {{convert|19.5|C}} in January and {{convert|4.6|C}} in July. Mean annual rainfall is very low: {{convert|221.6|mm|in|abbr=on}}, spread between 72.2 precipitation days. There are 142.1 clear days and 92.4 cloudy days annually.<ref>{{cite web 
|url = https://www.farmonlineweather.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=19066 |title = Port Augusta Power Station Climate (1958-1997) |publisher = FarmOnline Weather |access-date = July 28, 2024}}</ref> Extreme temperatures have ranged from {{convert|-4.5|C}} on 3 August 2014 to {{convert|49.5|C}} on 24 January 2019.<ref>{{cite web 
|url = https://www.farmonlineweather.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=18201 |title = Port Augusta Aero Climate (2001–2024) |publisher = FarmOnline Weather |access-date = July 28, 2024}}</ref> Port Augusta has [[desert]] vegetation, although the city maintains with governmental aid with some plants adapted to [[arid]]ity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/bush-garden-battling-a-crippling-cash-drought-for-desert-garden/news-story/c14b4b7d1a5c7219350e471f5645ba3d|title=Bush garden battling a crippling cash drought for desert garden|date=21 June 2018|website=www.adelaidenow.com.au|language=en|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref> Port Augusta is regarded as a desert environment by [[City of Port Augusta|the local government]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/AALBG%20Board%20Meeting%20Agenda%202-12-16.pdf|title=NOTICE OF AUSTRALIAN ARID LANDS BOTANIC GARDEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING|access-date=4 February 2019|archive-date=13 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313032339/https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/AALBG%20Board%20Meeting%20Agenda%202-12-16.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Port Augusta (32º30'36"S, 137º43'12"E, 14 m AMSL) (2001–2024 normals and extremes, 3 pm humidity 1962–1997)
|single line = yes
|metric first = yes
|Jan record high C = 49.5
|Feb record high C = 48.1
|Mar record high C = 43.2
|Apr record high C = 40.3
|May record high C = 32.2
|Jun record high C = 29.6
|Jul record high C = 26.9
|Aug record high C = 32.8
|Sep record high C = 38.4
|Oct record high C = 42.9
|Nov record high C = 46.3
|Dec record high C = 48.5
|Jan high C = 34.1
|Feb high C = 33.1
|Mar high C = 30.7
|Apr high C = 26.6
|May high C = 21.5
|Jun high C = 18.1
|Jul high C = 18.0
|Aug high C = 20.0
|Sep high C = 24.1
|Oct high C = 27.0
|Nov high C = 30.0
|Dec high C = 32.1
|Jan low C = 19.5
|Feb low C = 18.8
|Mar low C = 16.8
|Apr low C = 12.9
|May low C = 8.6
|Jun low C = 5.9
|Jul low C = 4.6
|Aug low C = 5.4
|Sep low C = 8.5
|Oct low C = 11.9
|Nov low C = 15.2
|Dec low C = 17.3
|Jan record low C = 11.7
|Feb record low C = 6.8
|Mar record low C = 6.6
|Apr record low C = 4.2
|May record low C = -1.9
|Jun record low C = −4.0
|Jul record low C = −4.1
|Aug record low C = −4.5
|Sep record low C = 0.0
|Oct record low C = 2.2
|Nov record low C = 6.9
|Dec record low C = 7.7
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 15.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 18.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 11.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 19.9
|May precipitation mm = 16.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 24.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 15.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 15.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 18.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 18.9
|Nov precipitation mm = 21.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 25.8
|year precipitation mm = 221.6
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 3.6
|Feb precipitation days = 2.5
|Mar precipitation days = 3.3
|Apr precipitation days = 4.2
|May precipitation days = 7.1
|Jun precipitation days = 11.3
|Jul precipitation days = 10.6
|Aug precipitation days = 8.3
|Sep precipitation days = 5.6
|Oct precipitation days = 5.5
|Nov precipitation days = 5.7
|Dec precipitation days = 4.5
|Jan afthumidity = 36
|Feb afthumidity = 36
|Mar afthumidity = 39
|Apr afthumidity = 41
|May afthumidity = 48
|Jun afthumidity = 53
|Jul afthumidity = 51
|Aug afthumidity = 45
|Sep afthumidity = 40
|Oct afthumidity = 37
|Nov afthumidity = 35
|Dec afthumidity = 37
|Jan dew point C = 11.5
|Feb dew point C = 11.9
|Mar dew point C = 11.0
|Apr dew point C = 8.4
|May dew point C = 7.6
|Jun dew point C = 6.4
|Jul dew point C = 5.2
|Aug dew point C = 4.3
|Sep dew point C = 4.7
|Oct dew point C = 6.0
|Nov dew point C = 7.7
|Dec dew point C = 10.1
|source 1 = [[Bureau of Meteorology]] (2001–2024 normals and extremes, 3 pm humidity 1962–1997)<ref>{{cite web 
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_018201_All.shtml
|title = Port Augusta Aero Climate Statistics (2001–2024) 
|publisher = [[Bureau of Meteorology]]
|access-date = July 28, 2024}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web 
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_019066_All.shtml
|title = Port Augusta Power Station Climate Statistics (1958–1997) 
|publisher = [[Bureau of Meteorology]]
|access-date = July 28, 2024}}
</ref>
}}

==Economy==
===Electricity generation===
From the mid-1920s, the town was supplied with [[direct current]] electricity, which changed to [[alternating current]] in 1948.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1923-03-30|title=ELECTRIC LIGHT FOR PORT AUGUSTA.|pages=8|work=Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37302756|access-date=2021-09-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1948-07-08|title=Port Augusta Proceeding With Power Changeover|pages=9|work=Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93185790|access-date=2021-09-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1948-04-02|title=Advertising|pages=3|work=Transcontinental (Port Augusta, SA : 1914 - 1954)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168310030|access-date=2021-09-03}}</ref>

Electricity was generated at the [[Playford B Power Station|Playford B]] (240 MW) and [[Northern Power Station (South Australia)|Northern]] power stations (520 MW) from [[Lignite|brown coal]] mined at [[Leigh Creek, South Australia|Leigh Creek]], 250&nbsp;km to the north. The only coal-fired electricity generating plants in South Australia, in 2009 they produced 33% of the state's electricity, but over 50% of the state's CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from electricity generation.<ref>The Climate Group [http://www.theclimategroup.org/_assets/files/Greenhouse-Indicator-Generation-Report-2009.pdf Greenhouse Indicator Series: Electricity Generation Report 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108114849/http://theclimategroup.org/_assets/files/Greenhouse-Indicator-Generation-Report-2009.pdf |date=8 January 2011 }}</ref>

Playford B has not been operational since 2012. In October 2015, Alinta Energy announced the permanent closure of both Northern and Playford B in early 2016. The Northern Power Station went offline in May 2016.<ref>[http://indaily.com.au/news/local/2016/05/09/sas-coal-era-ends-but-whats-next/ SA's coal era ends, but what's next?] ''[[The Independent Weekly|InDaily]]'', 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-09/port-augusta-power-plant-closure-alinta/7391362?section=sa End of an era: final day of coal-fired power generation in Port Augusta] ''[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]'', 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.</ref>

In 2016, a local community group was lobbying for assistance to replace the coal-fired plants with a solar thermal power station.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/24/port-augusta-busting-a-gut-to-reinvent-itself-as-a-solar-city-when-coal-fired-power-is-switched-off |title=Port Augusta 'busting a gut' to reinvent itself as a solar city when coal-fired power is switched off|author=Michael Slezak|work=[[The Guardian]] |date=23 March 2016|access-date=24 March 2016 <!-- http://web.archive.org/web/20160324100412/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/24/port-augusta-busting-a-gut-to-reinvent-itself-as-a-solar-city-when-coal-fired-power-is-switched-off -->}}</ref> The [[premier of South Australia]], [[Jay Weatherill]] announced in August 2017 that construction would begin in 2018 and was expected to be completed in 2020. The [[Aurora Solar Thermal Power Project]] is expected to cost {{AUD|650M}} to build, including a {{AUD|110M}} loan from the Federal Government, and deliver 150MW of electricity. [[SolarReserve]] has a contract to supply all of the electricity required by the state government's offices from this power project.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-14/solar-thermal-power-plant-announcement-for-port-augusta/8804628 |title=Solar thermal power plant announced for Port Augusta 'biggest of its kind in the world' |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=15 August 2017 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=August 2023}}

=== Arid-zone horticulture ===
Separately, [[Sundrop Farms]] has a combined [[solar power tower]], [[greenhouse]] and [[desalination plant]] which is used to produce tomatoes near the old power station site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transcontinental.com.au/story/3810605/solar-tower-reaches-new-heights/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161212130407/http://www.transcontinental.com.au/story/3810605/solar-tower-reaches-new-heights/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2016|title=Solar tower reaches new heights|author=Fairfax Regional Media|date=24 March 2016|work=The Transcontinental|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> It opened in October 2016 and produces 39MW of thermal energy from over 23,000 mirrors and a {{convert|127|m}} tower, used for heating, electricity, and desalination to irrigate tomatoes in greenhouses. Sundrop has a 10-year contract to supply [[Coles Supermarkets]] with at least 15,000 tonnes of truss tomatoes per year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-01/sundrop-farms-opens-solar-greenhouse-using-no-fresh-water/7892866 |title=Sundrop Farms pioneering solar-powered greenhouse to grow food without fresh water |work=Landline |first=Kerry |last=Staight |date=2 October 2016 |access-date=15 August 2017 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
Port Augusta has been able to capitalise on the growing eco-tourism industry due to its proximity to the [[Flinders Ranges]]. The [[Pichi Richi Railway]] is a major drawcard, connecting Port Augusta to [[Quorn railway station|Quorn]] via the Pichi Richi Pass.

Within Port Augusta is the [[City of Port Augusta|City of Port Augusta's]] Wadlata Outback Centre, providing tourists with an introduction to life in the Australian outback. The centre recorded over 500,000 visitors in 2006.
North of the town, on the Stuart Highway, is the [[Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden]], a unique and award-winning garden, opened in 1996, which "showcases a diverse collection of arid zone habitats in a picturesque setting of more than 250 hectares".<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Garden|url=http://www.aalbg.sa.gov.au/about.html|website=Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden|publisher=[[Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden]]|date=2018|access-date=8 May 2018}}</ref> The gardens have a cafe/restaurant with views across the saltbush plains to the escarpment of the Flinders Ranges. The PACC annual report shows more than 100,000 people visited the gardens in 2006.

Southwest of town is the El-Alamein army base.

=== Proposed multi-commodity port ===
In February 2019, the site of the former Playford power stations was sold by [[Alinta Energy]] to [[Cu-River Mining]] as a prospective port development site. The company intended to construct a transshipment facility suitable for the export of iron ore, wheat and other commodities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-01/port-proposed-for-former-northern-power-station-site/10769938|title=Shipping to return to Port Augusta with new port project|last=Candice Prosser|date=1 February 2019|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=17 February 2019}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=August 2023}}

==Media==
Radio stations that broadcast to Port Augusta are:
*[[ABC North and West SA]] on 639 AM (Regional)
*[[ABC NewsRadio]] on 102.7 FM (National)
*[[Radio National]] on 106.7 FM (National)
*[[ABC Classic]] on 104.3 FM (National)
*[[5AU]] on 97.9 FM (Community)
*Umeewarra Radio on 89.1 FM (Aboriginal-owned community radio)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.umeewarramedia.com/| title=Umeewarra Radio }}</ref>

Television coverage in the city is provided by the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]], [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]], [[GTS/BKN]] (7, 9 and 10) and [[Foxtel]].

The major publication of the town is ''[[The Transcontinental]]'', a weekly newspaper that was first issued in October 1914 and continues to be located on Commercial Road. In 1971, a brief experiment, known as the ''Northern Observer'' (7 July 1971 – 30 August 1971), occurred when ''The Transcontinental'' and ''The Recorder'' from Port Pirie were published under a combined title in Port Pirie.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/c.php?g=410317&p=2796365|title=LibGuides: SA Newspapers: M-N|last=Laube|first=Anthony|website=guides.slsa.sa.gov.au|language=en|access-date=28 August 2018}}</ref>

Historically, the town published the ''Dispatch'' (1877–1916), which, as was common at the time, evolved through a series of name changes: ''Port Augusta Dispatch'' (18 August 1877 – 6 August 1880);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/title/988|title=Port Augusta Dispatch (SA : 1877 – 1880)|website=Trove|language=en|access-date=5 March 2018}}</ref> ''Port Augusta Dispatch and Flinders' Advertiser'' (13 August 1880 – 17 October 1884); ''Port Augusta Dispatch'' (20 October 1884 – 16 March 1885); and, ''Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle'' (18 March 1885 – 21 April 1916). For a short period, due to the short-lived [[Australian gold rushes#1870–1893: Teetulpa and other finds in South Australia|discovery of gold at Teetulpa]], a sister publication ''Teetulpa News and Golden Age'' (1886–1887) was printed by the ''Dispatch''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/c.php?g=410317&p=2796375|title=LibGuides: SA Newspapers: T-Z|last=Laube|first=Anthony|website=guides.slsa.sa.gov.au|language=en|access-date=23 August 2018}}</ref>

Another publication, the ''Port Augusta and Stirling Illustrated News'' (1901), was printed briefly in the town by James Taylor, but was curtailed so he could focus on his printing business.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/c.php?g=410317&p=2796348|title=LibGuides: SA Newspapers: O-R|last=Laube|first=Anthony|website=guides.slsa.sa.gov.au|language=en|access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref>


==Politics==
===State and federal===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:1em"
! colspan="3" | 2006 state election<ref>[http://www.seo.sa.gov.au/archive/2006/index.htm Port Augusta West Polling Booth] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415084741/http://www.seo.sa.gov.au/archive/2006/index.htm |date=15 April 2008 }}, District of Stuart, House of Assembly Division First Preferences, 2006 State Election. Retrieved on 26 June 2008.</ref>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 62.3%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 30.7%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Family First}}|&nbsp;
| [[Family First Party|Family First]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 3.0%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Greens}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Greens|Greens]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 2.3%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Democrats|Democrats]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 1.3%
|-
| bgcolor="#D8D8D8" |&nbsp;
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 0.3%
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:1em"
! colspan = 3 | 2007 federal election<ref>[http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/website/HousePollingPlaceFirstPrefs-13745-6922.htm Port Augusta East Polling Booth], Division of Grey, House of Representatives Division First Preferences, 2007 Federal Election. Retrieved on 26 June 2008.</ref>
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 53.99%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 31.4%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Family First}}|&nbsp;
| [[Family First Party|Family First]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 4.47%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Greens}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Greens|Greens]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 3.86%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Nationals}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian National Party|National]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 3.32%
|-
| bgcolor="#D8D8D8" |&nbsp;
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 1.69%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Democrats|Democrats]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 1.27%
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:1em"
! colspan = 3 | 2022 federal election<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-27 |title=Port Augusta East - polling place |url=https://results.aec.gov.au/27966/Website/HousePollingPlaceFirstPrefs-27966-6922.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624013554/https://results.aec.gov.au/27966/Website/HousePollingPlaceFirstPrefs-27966-6922.htm |archive-date=2023-06-24 |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=[[Australian Electoral Commission]] Tally Room 2022}}</ref>

|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 32.23%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 30.86%
|-
| bgcolor="#D8D8D8" |&nbsp;
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent (Habermann)]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 11.52%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Greens}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Greens|Greens]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 8.59%
|-
| {{Australian party style|One Nation}}|&nbsp;
| [[Pauline Hanson's One Nation|One Nation]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 6.45%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Palmer United Party}}|&nbsp;
| [[United Australia Party (2013)|United Australia Party]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 5.66%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Australian Federation Party}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Federation Party]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 2.34%
|-
| bgcolor="#D8D8D8" |&nbsp;
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent (Carmody)]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 1.76%
|-
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}}|&nbsp;
| [[Libertarian Party (Australia)|Liberal Democrats]]
| bgcolor="FFFF99" | 0.59%
|}

Since the 2020 redistribution, Port Augusta was split between the state [[electoral district of Stuart]] and [[electoral district of Giles]]. In federal politics, the city is part of the [[division of Grey]], and has been represented by Liberal MP [[Rowan Ramsey]] since 2007. Grey is held with a margin of 8.86% and is considered safe-liberal. The results shown are from the largest polling station in Port Augusta – which is located at Port Augusta TAFE college.

===Local===
Port Augusta is in the [[City of Port Augusta]] [[Local government in Australia|local government area]]. The City of Port Augusta is believed to have had the longest serving [[mayor]] in Australia, [[Joy Baluch]], who died after 30 years of service on 14 May 2013.{{citation needed|reason=believed by whom? Not in Cit|date=February 2020}}<ref>[http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/outspoken-port-augusta-mayor-joy-baluch-dies-after-breast-cancer-battle/story-e6frea83-1226642712910 Outspoken Port Augusta Mayor Joy Baluch dies after breast cancer battle] ''adelaidenow'' (News Ltd.) Accessed 17 May 2013.</ref> The council is based at the Port Augusta Civic Centre; prior to 1983, it operated out of the now-disused [[Port Augusta Town Hall]].

==Heritage listings==
Port Augusta has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
* Beauchamp Lane: [[Port Augusta Waterworks]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16267 | title=Former Port Augusta Waterworks workshop, storeroom, stables and courtyard | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Beauchamp Lane: [[Beatton Memorial Drinking Fountain]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16269 | title=Beatton Memorial Drinking Fountain, Gladstone Square | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Beauchamp Lane: [[Gladstone Square Bandstand]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16268 | title=Gladstone Square Bandstand | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* 9 Church Street: [[St Augustine's Anglican Church, Port Augusta]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16263 | title=St Augustine's Anglican Church | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Commercial Road: [[Old Port Augusta railway station]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16271 | title=Curdnatta Art Gallery (former first Port Augusta Railway Station) | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* 52 Commercial Road: [[Port Augusta Institute]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16262 | title=Port Augusta Institute | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* 54 Commercial Road: [[Port Augusta Town Hall]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16265 | title=Port Augusta Town Hall | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022238/http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16265 | archive-date=17 November 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 34 Flinders Terrace: [[Port Augusta School of the Air]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16264 | title=Former Port Augusta School of the Air | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* 1 Jervois Street: [[Port Augusta Courthouse]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16266 | title=Port Augusta Courthouse | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Stirling Street: [[Port Augusta railway station]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16272 | title=Second Port Augusta Railway Station | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* off Tassie Street: [[Port Augusta Wharf]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16273 | title=Port Augusta Wharf | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* 12 Tassie Street: [[Bank of South Australia, Port Augusta]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=16261 | title=Seaview House (former Bank of South Australia Port Augusta Branch) | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=11 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Point Paterson Desalination Plant]]
* ''[[The Sundowners (1960 film)|The Sundowners]]'' (1960), partly filmed on location in Port Augusta<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zCm5aNkafSYC&pg=PA235 "America's Best, Britain's Finest: A Survey of Mixed Movies" – Google Books], John Howard Reid, pub. Lulu.com, March 2006. {{ISBN|9781411678774}}, p. 241{{self-published source|date=June 2020}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}}
* [[List of extreme temperatures in Australia]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Port Augusta, South Australia}}
{{wikivoyage|Port Augusta}}
* [http://bigstories.com.au Big Stories, Small Towns – Online documentary featuring video, photos, digital stories and archival film from Port Augusta]

{{South Australia}}
{{City of Port Augusta suburbs |state=collapsed}}
{{Eyre Peninsula}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Port Augusta| ]]
[[Category:1852 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Coastal cities in Australia]]
[[Category:Coastal towns in South Australia]]
[[Category:Eyre Peninsula]]
[[Category:Far North (South Australia)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1852]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in South Australia]]
[[Category:Spencer Gulf]]
[[Category:Trans-Australian Railway]]