Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Port Pirie

Port Pirie

Port Pirie, South Australia's first provincial city lies along the Spencer Gulf & Port Pirie River with the southern Flinders Ranges giving an impressive backdrop to the east. The city makes up the bottom point of the industrial Iron Triangle completed by Whyalla and Port Augusta and was settled in 1845 as a series of woolsheds on the Port Pirie river. Growth surged in the city when it became a principal port for the northern regions but more recently as Pasminco selected the city to have the largest lead smelter in the world, which today is its key industry and dominates the skyline with silos and a giant smoke stack. The city centre is quite interesting - set alongside the Port Pirie River, the main street is lined with specialty shops and various historic buildings including the railway station. Phoenix Park just to the southern edge of the CBD is excellent with expansive playing fields, wetlands and various other recreational parks.

Population: 13,500
State: South Australia
Postcode: 5540
Local Government: Port Pirie Regional Council
Location: 233km north of Adelaide
Main Roads: Port Wakefield Road/National Highway 1 , Port Broughton Road
Main Watercourses: Port Pirie River, Spencer Gulf
Radio Stations (Music): Magic FM (105.9), Triple J (103.5)

Photos from Port Pirie (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Solomontown Road, looking south-east in Port Pirie (2003).

Main Road, looking south-east in Port Pirie (2003).

Ellen Street, looking north from Norman Street in Port Pirie (2003).

Ellen Street, looking south from Norman Street in Port Pirie (2003).

Ellen Street, again looking south this time from David Street with the railway station on the left, Port Pirie (2003).

Alexander Street, looking east approaching the Florence Street intersection, Port Pirie (2003).

Alexander Street, again looking east as it disectes Phoenix Park, Port Pirie (2003).

	Solomontown Road, looking south-east in Port Pirie (2003).
	Main Road, looking south-east in Port Pirie (2003).
	Ellen Street, looking north from Norman Street in Port Pirie (2003).
	Ellen Street, looking south from Norman Street in Port Pirie (2003).
	Ellen Street, again looking south this time from David Street with the railway station on the left, Port Pirie (2003).
	Alexander Street, looking east approaching the Florence Street intersection, Port Pirie (2003).
	Alexander Street, again looking east as it disectes Phoenix Park, Port Pirie (2003).