Flinders Ranges & Outback - Great Australian Road Trips

PORT PIRIE
Map ref: B6 p25
Port Pirie was South Australia’s first provincial
city and has taken a leading role in the state’s
agricultural and industrial development.
The multiple award-winning Port Pirie Regional
Tourism and Arts Centre is an ideal starting
point for anyone exploring the town and the
surrounding region. It has plenty of tourist
information and you can pick up the heritage
walk brochure that has a map and information on
the town’s major historic sites. Open daily, it is
also home to the Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery
which hosts major touring exhibitions from the
National Gallery of Australia and other major
galleries, and fabulous pieces from the southern
Flinders, Clare Valley and Yorke Peninsula.
For a calendar of exhibitions phone the
Tourism and Arts Centre on 1800 000 424.
Other exhibitions include a fibreglass model
of the longest white pointer shark ever landed
in South Australian waters (at Germein Bay).
“Shakka”, a 23-year-old female shark, drowned
after becoming entangled in the anchor rope
of a local fisherman’s set snapperline, and
her original jaws, pectoral fin, vertebrae and
deformed teeth can be viewed up close.
The centre is also home to the Pirie Rail Express,
a 1.2km “ride-on” miniature railway that takes
visitors on a replica journey from Port Pirie
to Broken Hill, and a beautifully landscaped
indoor model rail layout featuring 1000 feet
of track. Both the miniature and model railways
are operated on the first and third Sunday
of the month by enthusiastic volunteers.
There is a wealth of history locked into the city
and its buildings. One of the standout structures
is Carn Brae − built in 1905 for the Moyle family,
founders of a state soft-drink empire. Open to
the public, you can see its remarkable features
including the valuable stained-glass windows
and a tall widow’s walk dominating the roof line.
It’s at 32 Florence Street, Port Pirie.
Visitors can celebrate Port Pirie’s industrial
success with a tour of the world’s largest lead
smelter – an expansive facility that continues
to dominate the city skyline. Tours run on
Wednesdays and bookings can be made
at the Tourism and Arts Centre.
Tagged the “City of Friendly People”, Port Pirie
took its name from the schooner John Pirie that
drew into the inlet in 1845 to load sheep from
the surrounding pastoral districts.
The city continues to have a strong focus on the
waters of Spencer Gulf, with two fully equipped
launching ramps and extensive car/boat
parking facilities.
Seven-day shopping and a wide range of
accommodation options (from budget to caravan
parks, B&Bs, cabins, hotels and motels) make
any stay in Port Pirie a breeze. And permanent
tourism facilities are enhanced by regular special
events including the Port Pirie Regional Masters
Games, Smelters Picnic, Blessing of the Fleet,
Southern Flinders Live Music Festival and the
Tripolis Yachting Classic.
PORT PIRIE REGIONAL TOURISM AND ARTS
PORT PIRIE REGIONAL TOURISM
AND ARTS CENTRE
Freecall: 1800 000 424
Port Pirie Tourism
and Arts Centre
3 Mary Elie Street, Port Pirie
Telephone 1800 000 424
Email tourism@ppcadc.sa.gov.au
Hours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm,
Sun and Public Hols 10am-3pm
(Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day)
Pick up your copy
of the Town Guide
from the Visitor
Information Centre.
From left to right: Zinifex Smelter; Tastings at Port Pirie
Regional Tourism & Arts Centre; Waterfront; National
Trust Museum.
36 www.southaustralia.com www.flindersoutback.com 37
PORT PIRIE