Whyalla

The seaside city of Whyalla (population 22,500) is the north west gateway to Eyre peninsula. Blessed with more than 300 days of sunshine every year. Whyalla is home to OneSteel (formerly BHP) & is renowned as a steel & ship building hub.

 

Road into Whyalla

 

Ex Royal Australian naval ship "Whyalla" was built in this town & unfortunately it is now "HIGH & DRY" about 2kms from the sea.

 

 

Henry Lawson's (poet) dog Tommy
Loaded dog -- story goes that some miners were sitting around a camp fire when the dog picked up a stick of gelignite & ran through the fire, lighting the wick & the chase that followed trying to catch the dog!!!

 

 

 

Part of the old single mens quarters that housed over 1000 men when it was in full operation. Only closed in 1980's.

 

 

Whyalla iron ore processing plant

 

 

Overlooking the port from Hummock Hill lookout

 

 

A gun battery & observation post was built to protect the shipyards during World war II

 

OneSteel Whyalla steelworks

 

 

 

Flinders & Freycinet lookout. Abstract life size statues commemorate the charting of Spencer gulf coastlines by English & French explorers. Matthew Flinders & Louis de Freycinet in 1802.

 

Murals on dunny walls in park on the foreshore

 

 

 

We were only here for the weekend & managed to find 2 dances (Friday & Sunday night). Camped at the Weroona Football club -- RV friendly site. One of the local ladies who is also a member of footie club, came over on Sunday morning & gave us all a bag of fresh homemade biscuits. What a lovely gesture.