This city is the gateway to the Eyre Peninsula and is located south of Port Augusta. Back in 1802, Captain Matthew Flinders named Hummock Hill which today forms the eastern most part of the city. Humock Hill began to develop at the beginning of this century and received a name change in 1914 to what it is presently known as, Whyalla.

With the discovery of iron in the Iron Knob region came the construction of a tramway from the mine to Hummock Hill. From there it was transported via barges to Port Pirie and its smelters. At the end of the 1930s a blast furnace opened and a shipyard was built which remained in operation until 1978. Then in the early 1960s BHP opened a steelworks and since that time there has been a diversification of industry so that BHP is no longer the principal employer.


Historical Attractions

The site of the Hummock Hill Lookout was the first place of settlement in the area towards the end of he last century. It was a gun battery and observation post during the second World War. Today it is where you will be able to experience great views of the city and Flinders Ranges.

In 1883 the Point Lowly Lighthouse was built. It is situated past port Bonython and is the oldest building in the Whyala area. Whilst here you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of dolphins and you will certainly witness something of the vast birdlife in the area. This spot is also a super place for fishing. Point Lowly offers breathtaking views of the Spencer Gulf plus the Flinders Ranges.

Museums

The Mount Laura Homestead Museum is a National Trust run museum within a former sheep station homestead. Police cells, over 50 engines, a blacksmith's workshop and a 1920s cottage are just some of the features of the museum, as well as a whole host of information on the history of the locality.
It is located on Ekblom Street behind the Westland Shopping Centre, tel. (086) 45 9319. It is open on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 pm until 4 pm, and on Fridays from 10 am until 12 noon. Other times by appointment.

The Whyalla Maritime Museum has a slightly different slant in its displays. Its main exhibit is the HMAS Whyalla, the first ship built at the city's shipyard in 1941. A collection of photographs and all sorts of other interesting memorabilia relating to the city's maritime past. There is also a large OO gauge model railway at the museum. It is the largest of its kind in Australia, being 18 metres long and involving 675 metres of track and up to 50 locomotives.
It is located on the Lincoln Highway, tel. (086) 45 8900. Opening hours are from 10 am until 4pm daily.

Natural Attractions

Set in a bushland setting, the city's Fauna and Reptile Sanctuary is a nature-lovers ideal place to visit. It has a wonderful array of birds, reptiles and snakes, kangaroos and wombats, emus plus the not so native iguana and monkeys. Whilst here for the day, you will also be able to avail of the picnic and barbecue facilities.
It is located on the Lincoln Highway near the airport, tel. (086) 45 7044. Opening hours are from 10 am until 6 pm daily during daylight saving, and 10 am until 4.30 the rest of the year.

Ada Ryan Gardens is a popular park in the city with its beautifully layed out gardens and lawns. There are free barbecue facilities, ducks, kangaroos, parrots amongst other wildlife. The children can enjoy a romp around the playground or feed the ducks. The gardens were the first major park in Whyalla and was named after the wife of the chairman of the then City Commission. It is located at the corner of Cudmore and Watson Terraces. Other parks in the city include Wilson Park which is just south of the Tourist Centre, and Civic Park which is on Nicolsen Avenue.

Whyalla Conservation Park is set in 1011 hectares of land. One of the main attractions here is the sandstone outcrop known as Wild Dog Hill, at whose base there is a picnis area. A trail from here leads up to the top from where you will be treated to some spectacular views. You will find Myall trees, quondongs, black oaks, rock ferns and daisy bushes are amongst the flora that exist here. There are over 74 species of birds - wedge-tail eagles, wrens, wood swallows and much more. The park is 10 kilometres north of Whyalla, just south of the Point Lowly / Port Bonython turn off on the Lincoln Highway.

Other Attractions

Flinders Lookout was named after Matthew Flinders, one of the major eighteenth / nineteenth century navigators. From here you are guaranteed superb views of the city and even Port Pirie is visible on clear days. It is at the intersection of Farrell and Elliott Streets

The BHP Steelworks can be visited, giving you the opportunity to learn more about the steel industry. You will get to see many of the processes involved in steel production - the pouring of molten steel and the shaping of some of the products.

You can charter a boat, tel. (086) 45 4887, or why not try out a scenic flight over the city and upper Spencer Gulf, tel. (086) 45 8922.

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