Summary
Established in the early 20th century adjacent to the Spencer Gulf, Whyalla experienced rapid growth in the post-war era, marked by the establishment of an integrated steelworks and shipyard. The Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP), recognized as the world’s largest mining corporation, was pivotal in this development.
The initial settlement in Whyalla was founded in 1901, primarily serving as the terminal for a tramway that transported iron ore from nearby mines situated in the Middleback Range.
Presently, heavy industry remains integral to Whyalla’s character. Visitors can embark on tours of the expansive Whyalla Steelworks and the nearby ore mines located at Iron Knob.
Conversely, Whyalla offers a tranquil escape, with serene lawns and gardens along the foreshore, especially picturesque during winter when migrating cuttlefish create a spectacular show.
1. Whyalla Maritime Museum
This museum narrates the city’s maritime history and hosts the Visitor Information Centre, all overshadowed by a landlocked WWII warship. The facility provides insights into the three additional corvettes constructed by BHP in Whyalla during World War II.
The BHP Shipbuilding Gallery chronicles the operations of Whyalla’s shipyards from 1940 to 1978, during which 66 vessels were manufactured, encompassing ferries, tankers, container ships, and warships.
The exhibit “Singing to the Sharks” delves into the indigenous history of the Whyalla region, explaining the connection of various cultural groups with the marine environment.
Visitors can also examine the 1814 edition of Matthew Flinders’ journals and maps, explore the marine biodiversity of the Spencer Gulf, and experience one of the largest H0 gauge model railroads in the country, featuring over 400 meters of track.
2. HMAS Whyalla
Located along the Port Augusta Road, the Bathurst-class corvette HMAS Whyalla impressively sits beside the maritime museum. Launched in 1941, this vessel was the first ship constructed at BHP’s Whyalla Shipyards, serving throughout the war to escort convoys along the south-eastern coast of Australia and later in regions such as New Guinea and Okinawa, concluding its wartime service in Hong Kong.
To prevent this significant artifact from being dismantled, Whyalla acquired the ship in the 1980s, relocating it to its current landlocked site. Visitors have the opportunity to walk beneath the hull, which is elevated two meters above the ground.
A comprehensive tour of the ship is included in the museum admission fee, with departures scheduled at 11:30 and 13:30.
3. Whyalla Marina
For those seeking a refreshing swim, the best destination in Whyalla is the marina. A swimming platform is available in the southern area of the breakwater, allowing individuals to enjoy bathing in the clear, sheltered waters, equipped with protective netting.
Additionally, visitors may encounter the local pod of bottlenose dolphins while near the breakwaters, although it is crucial to maintain a safe distance.
The revamped fishing jetty extends from the marina’s southern end into Spencer Gulf, providing the opportunity to catch blue swimmer crabs, squid, whiting, tommy ruff, and garfish.
4. Whyalla Steelworks Tour
For those intrigued by manufacturing processes, a tour of Whyalla Steelworks is an exceptional opportunity. Each year, this expansive 1,000-hectare site produces over 1.2 million tonnes of steel, with a fully integrated process that commences at mining locations such as Iron Knob and concludes with transportation via railway and port.
The tour provides a comprehensive overview of the production stages, including the blast furnace, coke ovens, casting plant, and rolling mills where steel is transformed into various products including girders and railway tracks.
These 90-minute tours are coordinated by the Whyalla Visitor Information Centre, departing on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 09:30.
5. Ada Ryan Gardens
Situated just a short walk from the marina, Ada Ryan Gardens serves as Whyalla’s beloved park. Historically, this location was the site of Whyalla’s first cemetery until 1918, and it has since transformed into a popular area for residents and visitors to stroll, picnic, play tennis, or take children to the playground.
Ada Ryan Gardens seamlessly combines tree-shaded lawns with formal flowerbeds and features easily navigable paved pathways lined with benches.
Children will delight in the recently upgraded animal enclosures, which house kangaroos and a variety of bird species in the aviary.
6. Point Lowly Lighthouse
The oldest structures in the Whyalla region are found at Point Lowly, located around False Bay. The conical lighthouse, standing just under 30 meters tall, is a prominent symbol of the Spencer Gulf and was erected in 1883. The lighthouse was actively manned until 1973 and possesses a range of 26 nautical miles.
Informational signs detail the lighthouse’s history, and at the base of the tower, two keepers’ cottages, constructed concurrently, are available as holiday accommodations.
For those interested in a unique overnight experience at this historic location, inquiries can be directed to the Whyalla Visitor Information Centre. In the mornings, guests may encounter kangaroos in the surrounding vegetation and dolphins playing in the waters.
During winter, migrating cuttlefish create a vibrant display, as will be discussed later.
7. Whyalla Conservation Park
Travel up the Lincoln Highway to reach this protected area located approximately ten minutes outside of Whyalla. Here, visitors can traverse the Western myall and chenopod woodland typical of this section of the Eyre Peninsula.
However, the primary attraction is Wild Dog Hill, which rises abruptly in the northwestern section of the park. Climbing this rugged sandstone formation is relatively easy and rewards hikers with breathtaking views from its summit.
The optimal times for the ascent are during dawn or dusk, when the sun casts a warm glow over the reddish stone landscape.
8. Cuttlefest
From May through August, the Australian giant cuttlefish migrates to the shallow coastal rocky reefs of Spencer Gulf. This remarkable species, recognized as the largest cuttlefish in the world, can weigh up to 10.5 kg and measure half a meter in length.
Utilizing pigment-altering chromatophores, these creatures can rapidly change their coloration.
In recognition of this annual phenomenon, the local tourism organization has initiated Cuttlefest, which occurs in June, July, and August. There are numerous events scheduled on land, including a lantern parade and an art trail, but the highlight is undoubtedly the opportunity to snorkel or dive to observe these fascinating mollusks up close.
Accessing the cuttlefish is remarkably simple, as they frequently approach within a few meters of the shoreline, with Stony Point, near the lighthouse at Point Lowly, being the most favored location.
9. Mount Laura Homestead Museum
This National Trust Museum, operated by volunteers, documents early European life in the Whyalla region. Among its many structures is the nine-room Station Homestead, which has stood since 1922 and contains intriguing artifacts, with each room dedicated to a different aspect of Whyalla’s history, covering industry and education.
The museum features several historic buildings relocated to Mount Laura, including the 1914 gaol, a harness shed showcasing horse-drawn carriages, a functioning blacksmith shop, and a cottage/washhouse depicting local domestic life in the early 20th century.
Additionally, the Nicholson and Lions Engine Sheds house historic machinery, an old steam train, and an ore truck that once served the Iron Knob Mines, along with a Telecommunications Museum that outlines the advancements of the Overland and East West Telegraph between 1872 and 1877.
10. Hummock Hill Lookout
Perched above the marina, this hilltop marks the site of Whyalla’s first European settlement at the turn of the 20th century. The lookout was established by BHP in 1986 to commemorate the company’s centenary by converting decommissioned WWII gun emplacements into observation platforms.
The site features a restored anti-aircraft gun, a sheltered viewing area, informational boards, and a picnic space.
The views from the lookout are spectacular, providing a 350-degree panorama encompassing Whyalla, its steelworks, and port, extending across the Southern Ocean and inland toward the iron-rich heights of the Middleback Range.
11. Whyalla Foreshore
The foreshore extends westward from the marina along the seafront and presents an attractive environment to enjoy a few hours on a sunny day. The eastern end of the white sandy beach is less impacted by tides, making it more suitable for swimming, providing an alternative to the swimming platform at the marina.
Additionally, the area behind the beach features Ada Ryan Gardens, expansive lawns, a shaded children’s playground, complimentary electric barbecues, a cafe, restrooms, and changing facilities.
12. Iron Knob
Regarded as the cradle of Australia’s steel industry, Iron Knob is located approximately 40 minutes northwest in the Middleback Range. Its name is derived from the abundantly rich iron ore deposits in the vicinity, with the first mineral claim made by the Broken Hill Proprietary Company in the late 19th century.
Although Iron Knob’s population declined following the cessation of mining activities in 1998, operations have resumed at the vast tiers of the Iron Monarch mine since 2015.
This iron ore is either exported or processed at the Whyalla Steelworks. Visitors are encouraged to stop at the town’s visitor center, which features a compelling museum filled with antique equipment, mineral specimens, photographs, and informative displays, alongside a small theater presenting engaging presentations.
This location also facilitates minibus tours that offer panoramic views of the original Iron Knob pit and the Iron Princess and Iron Monarch mines.
13. Flinders & Freycinet Lookout
This scenic viewpoint provides an expansive vista of the upper Spencer Gulf, complemented by the southern Flinders Ranges to the east, while the remnants of the Middleback Range can be discerned approximately 20 kilometers to the southwest.
The Flinders & Freycinet Lookout is named in honor of Matthew Flinders (1774-1814), the first European to chart this coastline in 1802, as well as the French cartographer Louis-Claude de Freycinet (1779-1841), who navigated the Spencer Gulf in 1803 and anchored off what is now known as Whyalla.
Stylishly landscaped, the lookout features statues representing the two explorers alongside informational boards detailing their contributions and the early history of Whyalla.
14. Wilson Park
Near the Maritime Museum and Visitor Information Centre, Wilson Park features views extending eastward across the bay towards Port Bonython and Point Lowly. North of the park lies the unmistakable silhouette of the Whyalla Steelworks, along with a monument commemorating the city’s industrial heritage.
Unveiled in 1974, the upturned ship’s rudder commemorates the jubilee of Whyalla’s naming, while a 2.5-meter-high Kedge anchor cast in the 1950s stands close by.
Families with energetic children can enjoy the park’s playground, picnic tables, a shelter, and barbecue facilities.
15. Whyalla Wetlands
This area comprises a series of artificial lakes that attract a diverse range of birdlife in the southern part of Whyalla. Up until 1951, this site was home to the Whyalla Aerodrome, and the wetlands now play a significant role in water conservation efforts.
The lakes are maintained through a combination of stormwater runoff and underground seepage, with substantial investment directed towards the surrounding environment, including the planting of lawns and the installation of picnic benches, barbecues, playgrounds, information boards, and eco-friendly hybrid toilets.
Over time, birds not typically observed in Whyalla have made their appearance at the wetlands.
