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Quoting from the “History of the City of Adelaide” (Thomas
Worsnop, Town Clerk 1869-1898): “We may presume that the organisation of the new Civic powers was a subject of considerable satisfaction to the inhabitants , for almost all the prominent unofficial men in the colony were members of the first Council, and a very great expectations were formed as a result of their joint exertions.” |
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 South Australia's flag |
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Political
Source of most of the above information: www.sacentral.sa.gov.au |
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Population:
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Geography Most of South Australia's population lives in the fertile coastal areas of the state which is nearly an eighth of Australia's landmass. Eighty percent of the State is less than 300 metres above sea level. Its boundaries are with other States on the west, east, north and the south.
The South Australian Outback - It is one of the world's truly unspoilt areas. It is vast and stretches to the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales borders.
It is truly timeless - deserts as far as the eye can see, gleaming salt lakes and endless sunset coloured sand hills. It is very hot for more than half the year and rainfall is uncertain. However there are permanent springs, palm trees and when it does rain - a riot of wildflowers springs to life. The Outback is ever changing. |
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Climate South Australia is Australia's driest state. Only in the south east is rainfall reliable, although still mostly light. Adelaide and the Southern Agricultural region This region consists of the peninsulas of Yorke Peninsula and Eyre Peninsula which are separated by Spencer Gulf and Gulf of St Vincent. Rainfall is low to moderate, the highest falls are at the southern tip of Eyre peninsula and the west of Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo island's rainfall averages 625-900mm, this increases from east to west. The Adelaide area receives about 500mm per annum. The range on Yorke Peninsula has 300-400mm decreasing from south to north. Eyre Peninsula receives about 625mm near Port Lincoln, this decreases northwards to around 250-300mm. Around 250mm is the lower limit for wheat crops. It is only because the low rainfall comes in fairly reliable winter showers that wheat can be grown at all. Summers are usually very dry and almost rainless in the north. Similar rainfall totals in Queensland and the Northern territory are desert. Summer daytime temperatures are variable, the southern parts may have some cooler, cloudy summer days. The general range in the south and for Kangaroo Island is 24-32°C. The north areas have less variation and 30-35°C is the normal range. Hotter periods are common, especially around Ceduna where any wind from East to Northwest is coming from the interior deserts. Winter temperatures are cool to mild. The range is 13-16°C in the south and Kangaroo Island, about 2-3°C warmer in the north. Snow is not a normal part of the climate. Frost can occur away from the coast in winter, the west facing coasts would probably see very few frost days. The North-west This area is dominated by the Great Victoria Desert, a rather sandy desert with small dunes. Rainfall is low throughout, the average range is 150-200mm. Most rainfall comes from isolated summer thunderstorms or when monsoon troughs affect this far south, which is very rare. Summer daytime temperatures are hot, average range 36-42°C. Temperatures in the mountain areas of the far north are 1-3°C cooler. Winter daytime temperatures average between 18-24°C. Frost is quite common in winter. Snow never falls. South East The south east of South Australia is a continuation of Victoria's Western Coast with a very similar climate, except rainfall reduces rapidly towards to northwest. Rainfall is low to moderate over most of the area. The coastal areas receives the highest falls. The extreme south east around Mt Gambier receives the highest falls at around 800mm. The extreme north of the area around Berri receives under 375mm. Rain falls in all months, although the winter months are far wetter. The winter component of rainfall is quite reliable and falls with the west winds that are dominant during the months May to September. Summer rainfall is variable and patchy. Summer droughts do occur some years. Thunderstorm activity is very low throughout the region, for most parts the average is only 5-10 storm days per year. Along the coast some of these storms are winter cold stream storms that occur when very cold south west winds blow over the relative warmth of the southern ocean. Small match head sized hail is common with these conditions. Summer daytime temperatures vary considerably from the coast to the north of the area. The coastal range is 23-28°C. Inland the range is 25-30°C. Periods of much hotter conditions around 38°C occur in the north. Winter daytime temperatures are low, but are moderated by the ocean. The persistent cold, showery and windy weather may make the normal 10-15°C temperatures seem much colder then they are. Winter daytime temperatures are 1-3°C warmer in the north. Frost occurs whenever the winter sky is clear and windless. Snow is not a normal part of the climate in this region. Lake Eyre & Simpson Desert This is the driest part of the Australian continent. Lake Eyre for the most part is a large salt pan at 9300km2. The lowest part of Lake Eyre is 11m below sea level. Lake Eyre fills a few times each century when the rivers of Queensland's channel country receive enough water to push through the dry maze of channels and billabongs on the edge of the Simpson desert. Summer daytime temperatures are hot, the average is 36-42°C. Temperatures approaching 50°C have been recorded. Winter daytime temperatures average between 18-24°C. Southern arid areas The north east portion of this area around Marree and Coober Pedy includes some of the driest parts of the Australian continent. Several large salt lakes also dominate the north east and south of the area. The Nullarbor Plain (no trees in Latin ) is located in the west and along the Great Australian Bight. The plain is a raised limestone plateau about 50-200m above sea level. The limestone ensures what rain does fall just soaks straight down. Rainfall is below 250mm in all but the part of the Nullarbor that borders the Great Australian bight. Rainfall is lowest on the salt pans of the north east where it as low as 150mm. Rainfall can fall at any time of year, although in the Nullarbor it tends to fall with light showers during the passage of winter cold fronts from the south west. Summer daytime temperatures are hot, temperatures approaching 50°C have occurred in this region. The general range is 35-40°C. In the north east periods over 42°C are common. Winter daytime temperatures are mild to warm, some days close to the Great Australian Bight may be cooler. The range is 16-22°C periods of both cooler and warmer weather do occur. Frost in winter is far more common then most people realise, in fact the southern deserts are one of the frostiest areas outside the eastern highlands in Australia. Snow never falls. Flinders Ranges Rainfall is low, although much higher than the surrounding plains, annual rainfall is only 300-375mm per annum. Most of this comes with either winter cold fronts especially in the south, or summer thunderstorms. Thunderstorms can have quite heavy falls causing local flash floods. Summer daytime temperatures are hot, even with the altitude of the ranges, average range is 30-38°C, many hotter days occur. Winter daytime temperatures are cool to mild at 13-18°C. Cooler periods may follow after very strong SW fronts. Snow has fallen, even this far north. Blinman received snow in 1981. The highest mountains may receive sleet or snow once very 2-3 years. Frost is common on the flat areas between ranges in winter. Southern Flinders Ranges The Mount Lofty ranges are just to west the of Adelaide. Technically they are not part of the Flinders Ranges which begin from about Peterborough northwards. This is South Australia's wettest area, albeit only in the extreme south were the full effect of the moist southern ocean winds are present. Rainfall varies considerably from south to north. The wettest parts of the south may get up to 1000mm, but this is for the higher parts. The average is 750mm. Towards the north there is a gradual decline and the average is as low as 350mm. In the north the average rainfall is much higher then that of the plains both east and west. Most rainfall comes in winter. Summer thunderstorms also help to boost the regions rainfall over the surrounding lower areas. Some thunderstorms in the north may cause flash floods. The Flinders Ranges has a reputation for sudden flash floods. Summer daytime temperatures increase from south to north. The range in the south because of closeness to the southern ocean can have quite variable temperatures depending on wind direction. The general range in the south is 23-30°C. Hotter days occur whenever the wind comes out of the North to Northwest. In the north the range is less affected by the ocean and is a higher 28-35°C. Winter daytime temperatures throughout are cool in the 12-17°C. The higher parts of the south are 1-2°C lower. Snow has fallen throughout most of this area. It is only in the highest parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges were it is a regular visitor, with maybe 1-2 falls every few years. The north will only receive brief falls with the strongest of cold fronts once or twice a decade. Frost is quite common in winter throughout the entire region. Sources: Rainfall records sourced from Australian Bureau of Meteorology data. Individual rainfall and temperature records from the Bureau have been used in some cases to demonstrate climate features of some towns and regions. 
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Agriculture South Australia is Australia's wine capital with thirteen wine regions Adelaide Hills; Adelaide Plains; Barossa and Eden Valley; Clare Valley; Eyre Peninsula; McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek; Limestone Coast with Coonawarra, Padthaway, Mount Benson and Wrattonbully; Riverland. They benefit from a variety of terrain, character and climate. Few other regions of the world can match South Australia's range of warm and cool-ripening conditions. It can produce varieties, which deliver both classical and distinctively Australian-style 'fruit driven' wines. After winning acclaim with its 'big reds', pioneered by Penfold's Grange, South Australia is also producing wines of great elegance and finesse. Full-bodied Chardonnays, Rieslings, sparkling wines and pleasing blends all feature in South Australia's range of premium white wines. South Australia produces 50 per cent of all the wine made in Australia, and 70 per cent of international exports, which are led by Southcorp, BRL Hardy and Orlando (Jacob's Creek) wineries. With a Mediterranean-like climate, South Australian regional produce reads like an international gourmet's shopping list - Adelaide for grapes, olives, olive oil, herbs and vegetables; Kangaroo Island for cheese, olive oil, chickens, honey, lobsters and marron; Barossa for olives, grapes, apples and pears, chickens and smallgoods; Eyre Peninsula for tuna, lobster, prawns, abalone and oysters; Adelaide Hills for venison, strawberries, cherries, apples and cheese; McLaren Vale for olive oil, almonds, yabbies, trout and venison; Limestone Coast for lamb, beef, crayfish and Atlantic salmon; Outback for bush tucker including quandong, lemon myrtle and bush tomatoes; Riverland for grapes, citrus fruits and nuts. Adelaide and the Southern Agricultural region: The majority of the area except for the far southern tip of Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island is Wheat farms. Sheep are raised on Kangaroo Island and the southern tip of Eyre Peninsula. An important Tuna industry is based at Port Lincoln. The Adelaide area is mainly settled or market gardens (irrigated). The North-west: mostly desert, most of the land has no livestock or agricultural use. South East: mostly sheep country, whilst some wheat is grown in the North. Southern arid areas: There are some scattered sheep and cattle stations in the area. Ceduna: Wheat and other cereal crops are grown here and for 100km westwards, before the low rainfall just becomes to unreliable. Principal agricultural production in South Australia during 2001-02: - Barley 2,781,800 tonnes - Wheat 4,778,500 tonnes - Grapes 697,700 tonnes - Apples 23,900 tonnes - Oranges 155,800 tonnes - Onions, white and brown 105,600 tonnes - Potatoes 334,700 tonnes - Sheep and lambs 13,043,000
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Economy South Australia's principal industries and export are wheat, wine, wool and machinery. More than half the nations wines are produced here on approximately 44% of Australia's vineyard area. It has 29% of the barley area. Mineral resources and aqua culture are also significant elements of the economy. The Gross State Product of South Australia is over $40 billion per annum, which is approximately 7% of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product.
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Tourism
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| More info on select cities in SA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adelaide | Whyalla | Mt Gambier | Port Pirie | Port Lincoln | Coober Pedy | Ceduna | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adelaide | History & Tourism | further info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Capital of South Australia. Known as the city of Gardens and
the city of Churches.
Adelaide sits on a narrow coastal plain with the Gulf of St Vincent to the west and the Mount Lofty Ranges to the east. |
First planned by General Light in 1838. He used the Torrens River to plan a city with large gardens. Adelaide still preserves this planning today.
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www.adelaidecitycouncil.com |
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| Whyalla | History & Tourism | further info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Where the Outback
meets the sea". Home to over 24,000 residents, Whyalla is located on the western shores of the upper Spencer Gulf in South Australia. Tourism: - Whyalla Conservation Park - Whyalla Foreshore & Marina - Whyalla Leisure Centre - Whyalla Maritime Museum - Mt Laura Homestead - The northern coastline: Point Lowly & Fitzgerald Bay - Whyalla Wildlife Sanctuary
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Founded in 1901 as the town of Hummock Hill, Whyalla has a rich history in the Australian Steel Industry. Whyalla is now diversifying into exciting new industries such as aquaculture, sustainable development and renewable energy technologies.
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www.whyalla.sa.gov.au www.whyalla.com Whyalla city council |
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| Mount Gambier | History & Tourism | further info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Blue Lake City", the commercial centre of the South East of South Australia is a thriving city of over 23,000 residents. Mt Gambier is located on the side of an extinct volcanic crater. Three lakes fill these craters, the most famous the Blue Lake is over 200m
deep. Situated between Adelaide and Melbourne it makes the ideal stopover for those travelling to and from the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians or the Coorong. Natural and cultural beauty surrounds the region, with caves, sinkholes, beautiful coastline, rivers, lakes and wineries. Unique attractions: - The Blue Lake - Centenary Tower - Aquifer Tours - The Crater Lakes - Wildlife Park & Boardwalk - The Leg of Mutton Lake - Adam Lindsay Gordon Monument - Umpherston Sinkhole - Cave Garden - Engelbrecht Cave Tour The construction of four of the City's unique dolomite buildings commenced in 1865. The Old Courthouse, the former Post Office, originally built as a new Telegraph Office, the Anglican Church and the Mount Gambier Goal. See the tourism website for more. |
Mount Gambier's mountain was named on 3rd December, 1800, when Lieutenant James Grant on board HMS Lady Nelson, sighted two prominent peaks, one which he named Gambier’s Mountain after Lord Gambier R.N. It was not until 1839 that Stephen Henty became the first white man to actually gaze on the beauty of the Blue Lake. He returned with cattle in 1841. The first Mount Gambier Council was established in 1863. With average depths of 70m, the Blue Lake contains 36,000 million litres.
Situated in an extinct volcanic crater, the lake exposes the crystal clear water that has filtered underground as it passes slowly beneath the city through the limestone. Each year in November the lake starts its colour change from winter sombre blue to brilliant turquoise blue and back to sombre blue from March. |
www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au mountgambiertourism.com.au
The foundation stone for Centenary Tower was laid on December 3rd, 1900, to commemorate 100 years since the sighting of Mount Gambier's mountain. |
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| Port Pirie | History & Tourism | further info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Port Pirie is located just off the Princes Highway on the Spencer Gulf,
223km north of Adelaide between Crystal Brook and Port Augusta.
During 2002/2003, 1.03 million tonnes of cargo was moved through Port Pirie. |
Port Pirie began as a small settlement in 1845 and today is a major port and one of the state's largest commercial and industrial centres. Places of interest: - Memorial Park: Holds the anchor from the wrecked schooner 'John Pirie' and is the site of the Northern Festival Centre, a cultural complex. - Port Pirie Aerodrome Pictorial Museum: During World war 2 the Port Pirie Aerodrome was used as a training camp for pilots. This museum displays a pictorial history of those times. - National Trust Museum: In the Old Customs House (1875) and Railway Museum Complex (1902), Ellen St. the museum contains re-created room settings from around the turn of the century, a railway and shipping history, and a record of Port Pirie's development. |
Pasminco Pty Ltd operates one of the largest lead smelters in the world, exporting large quantities of zinc concentrates and lead. Other principal industries include medium to heavy engineering, fish processing, fibreglass manufacturing, industrial clothing manufacturing and dairy processing. Although wheat, barley, wool, sheep, pigs, cattle and grain legumes have provided the region with a strong economic base, new agricultural industries are emerging. |
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| Port Lincoln | History & Tourism | further info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Located on Boston Harbour a superb deep water natural harbour. Situated on the southern tip of Eyre Peninsula, Port Lincoln is 682km by road from Adelaide, or about 280km west of Adelaide by air. A natural deepwater harbour makes Port Lincoln attractive to large bulk grain carriers for topping up loads from shallower ports in South Australia and Victoria. Grains and seeds are the principal exports and fertiliser and petroleum products are the major imports. Tourism and the Tuna fishing industry are the main industries, unless of course you count the Barbed Wire museum were you can marvel at over 300 varieties of wire on display. During 2002/2003, 1.76 million tonnes of cargo was moved through Port Lincoln. |
One of South Australia's earliest settlements and at one stage considered for the state capital.
Named by Captain Flinders when his ship 'HMS Investigator' called in there in 1802 after his home county of Lincolnshire in England. Whaling and sealing were undertaken here last century. Places of interest: - Apex Wheelhouse: Original wheelhouse from a Boston Bay tuna boat. It is a fully restored and equipped wheelhouse cabin serving as an interpretive centre for the fishing industry. - Axel Stenross Maritime Museum: The late Axel Stenross was a Finnish boat-builder who set up a workshop in Port Lincoln in the 1920's. This museum is housed in the building and has many relics, artefacts, photographs and memorabilia of his life and times. - Barbed Wire & Fencing Equipment Museum - Boston Island: An island sheep station reached by launch from Port Lincoln. The tour includes a tractor crossing of the island to visit an 1840 slab cottage, shearing sheds and 'Squeaky Beach'. - Karlinda Collection: A collection of 10,000 sea shells and marine life from all over the world. - Koppio Smithy Museum: Includes a blacksmith shop, school, historic cottage with curios, and 'Glenleigh', a fully restored 1890's pine log cottage with furnishings. The museum is 40 minutes north of Port Lincoln and offers an insight into pioneer life in the region. - M.B. Kotz Collection of Stationary Engines: Early farm equipment. |
Places of interest (cont.) - Mill Cottage Museum: National Trust Folk Museum reflecting pioneer life of the Bishop family in their 1866 home. The Settlers Cottage nearby contains local memorabilia and curios. - The Old Mill: Built in 1846 as a flour mill it is now an historic lookout offering views over Port Lincoln. - Rose-Wall Memorial Shell Museum: Shell collection in the grounds of the Eyre Peninsula Old Folk's Home. - Tiny Tots Gnome Village: Fairytale world for all the family. - Tod Reservoir Museum: An history of water supply to Port lincoln located in a 1922 house at the reservoir. - Whalers Way: Not far from Port Lincoln at the most southerly tip of Eyre Peninsula is a spectacular coastline called Whalers Way with cliffs, caves, blowholes and beaches. The coastline is rugged and faces into the Southern Ocean. Seals can be observed here. Another claim to fame for Port Lincoln is Great White sharks, the real shark scenes for jaws were shot near here. |
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| Coober Pedy | History & Tourism | further info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Opal mining centre in the South Australian Desert, in fact it is the largest Opal mining centre in the world. Many of the town's houses have been dug underground, this provides a natural air-conditioning against the summer heat. |
Coober Pedy is an aboriginal word meaning "white man in hole" or "white man's burrow". | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceduna | History & Tourism | further info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Considered the last "outpost" of civilization before you cross the infamous Nullarbor Plain. It is a
1,200km
long drive west to Norseman in Western Australia the next town of any note.
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