Whyalla
Eyre Peninsula
Whyalla was originally known as Hummock Hill after it was named by Matthew Flinders in 1802. In the mid 1800's Iron Ore was discovered in the area and in 1899 the Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP) acquired leases to extract the ore, which was then processed for flux in the company's smelter in Port Pirie.
The population of Whyalla steadily grew over the years and by 1920 had a population of around 1,000. In 1939 BHP commenced the construction of the harbour and blast furnace, and with the outbreak of World War II the Royal Australian Navy asked BHP to build patrol ships. This saw the construction of shipyards and along with that a population boom came to the town.
Today Whyalla has a population of around 23,000 people and is still a major hub for the production of steel and manufacturing. Whyalla has also diversified into other areas such as being the world's largest producer of beta carotene, and has a thriving Aquaculture industry in the pristine waters of Spencer Gulf.
Whyalla Attractions
Whyalla Places of Interest MapMt Laura Homestead Museum
Mt Laura Homestead
The museum is based around the original Mt Laura homestead, originally a sheep station constructed in 1922 on land quite a few kilometres out of Whyalla. As Whyalla expanded, it encompassed the sheep station and homestead, and in 1967 was handed over to the National Trust. The homestead has an extensive display of photos of the early years of Whyalla, along with other items from an era gone by.Gay Street Cottage
The Gay Street Cottage is a furnished workman's cottage built by BHP in 1914. It was moved from Gay Street to the Mt Laura Homestead Museum in 1984.Engine Shed
The Engine Shed has many examples of stationary engines from the early 1900's, with many of the engines in working order.Telecommunications Museum
In the Telecommunications Museum you will find a collection of artefacts covering the history of the Australian telecommunications industry, from the overland telegraph era, morse code and right up to modern satellite communications.Contact the Whyalla Tourism Office for opening times, or call 08 8645 3565
Whyalla Maritime Museum
The Whyalla Maritime Museum has an interesting display of artefacts and Aboriginal History on display. There are two land based vessels, including HMAS Whyalla which was constructed by BHP Shipbuilding in 1941 and was the first modern warship built in South Australia. The museum also exhibits one of the largest HO scale model railways in Australia.
www.whyallamaritimemuseum.com.au
Flinders and Freycinet Lookout
In 1802 Matthew Flinders was the first European to navigate and chart this unknown coast of South Australia, solving the centuries old mystery as to whether Australia was one continent or two.
Ten months later, in January 1803, Louis-Claude de Freycinet navigated and charted the isolated coast for the Baudin expedition. He and his crew spent a night at sea, off what was to become Whyalla, and were impressed by the local scenery.
In September 2001, as part of the Encounter 2002 project to recognise French exploration, the two explorers were commemorated at the lookout by contemporary sculptures and the area was renamed the Flinders and Freycinet Lookout.
The lookout offers magnificent views of the upper Spencer Gulf, Southern Flinders Ranges and Middleback Range in the west.
Freycinet Heritage Trail
The Freycinet Heritage Trail is a 12km heritage and nature trail that follows the coast. You can either hike, cycle or drive the trail, and the interpretive signs along the trail explain the Aboriginal history, early European exploration, flora and fauna, marine life and contemporary use of modern technology in the area.
Whyalla Conservation Park
10kms North of Whyalla on the Lincoln Highway is the Whyalla Conservation Park. The park covers an area of approximately 2,020 hectares and has a range of native flora and fauna from this semi-arid area. A walking trail leads to the top of Wild Dog Hill where you get a clear view of the park and the surrounding area. There are red and grey kangaroos in the park and the euro can sometimes be seen on the slopes of Wild Dog Hill at sunset. The Park is also a good spot for bird watching, with over 80 species of birds spotted.
Fitzgerald Bay
20kms Northeast of Whyalla is Fitzgerald Bay, once again offering stunning views of the Southern Flinders Ranges. Fitzgerald Bay is also home to an aquaculture enterprise, with fish farms specialising in growing yellow tail kingfish. Bush camping is available at Fitzgerald Bay in a designated area, and the Freycinet Heritage Trail also starts here.
Point Lowly and Point Lowly Lighthouse
34kms North of Whyalla on a sealed road is Point Lowly. Point Lowly gives you magnificent views of the gulf, coastline and the Southern Flinders Ranges. Here you will also find the Point Lowly Lighthouse, completed in 1883 and manned for 90 years before becoming automated and then finally delisted in 1993. The lighthouse and two lighthouse keepers cottages are the oldest building in Whyalla, and the cottages are available for hire through the Whyalla Uniting Church.
Point Lowly LighthousePort Bonython
Port Bonython is owned and operated by Santos and converts liquid hydrocarbons (oil, condensate and LPG) into their various components by a distillation process. Although the plant does not host tours, the sheer size and complexity of it can be clearly seen from the roadside vantage points.
Whyalla Weather - Average Temperatures and Rainfall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg. Max (°C) | 29.9 | 29.5 | 27.3 | 23.6 | 20.6 | 17.3 | 16.9 | 18.4 | 21.5 | 24.0 | 26.3 | 28.1 |
| Avg. Min (°C) | 17.4 | 17.6 | 15.3 | 11.6 | 8.7 | 6.1 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 8.0 | 10.5 | 13.8 | 15.8 |
| Avg. Rain (mm) | 17.1 | 25.1 | 18.9 | 19.4 | 22.5 | 25.1 | 23.1 | 21.4 | 27.5 | 23.5 | 19.8 | 22.3 |
| Avg. Rain Days | 3.2 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 11.0 | 11.0 | 10.7 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 4.8 | 4.6 |