| Port Wakefield SA 5550 | ||||
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Population: 600, Height above sea level: 10m Latitude: 34.11.06 Longitude: 138.08.52 Location: 100km north of Adelaide Highway: Stuart Hwy (1) Nearest Major Town: Adelaide Nearest Airport: Adelaide Touring Area: Yorke Peninsula |
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 The main street of Port Wakefield | |
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Port Wakefield was the first government town north of Adelaide.
Situated at the head of Gulf St. Vincent, it was originally known as
Port Henry. Established in 1849 as a port for the loading of residual
copper ore from Burra, to the east, for smelting at the Swansea smelter
by the Patent Copper Company, Port Wakefield now has a population of
around 500.
In its heyday it was a busy port. Flat bottom sailing barges loaded and
unloaded larger ships anchored in deeper water, and transported copper
ore and refined copper to Port Adelaide. Within a year of operations
beginning at the port, hotels, houses and general stores were constructed
and in 1851 a jetty was built west of the new town for discharging of coal
from Newcastle in New South Wales, to be used mainly at the Burra Smelter.
Port Wakefield was one of the first ports in South Australia and was used
by the company until 1857 when it became more economical to transport the
ore to Gawler for shipment by rail. It was used for a while to ship wool
and grain from the hinterland and is now unused except by the local
fishing industry.
Port Wakefield takes its name from the River Wakefield, named in 1838 by
William Hill after Edward Gibbon (Lord) Wakefield (1796’Äì1862) a British politician
who was an enthusiastic supporter of colonisation of South Australia, and later
New Zealand.
There is more to see than the main road in this historic township and a walk
along the waters edge or to the many old buildings and historical sites is
rewarding.
Take a walk though the mangrove forests along boardwalks and see the abundant
bird life or cool off in the local swimming area.
Port Wakefield is a popular fishing destination and the gateway
to many of South Australia's foremost tourist destinations including the
Yorke Peninsula and Clare Valley.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
In 1858 a police station/courthouse was built and in 1875 additions
were made. Now under the National Trust it has been restored and can
be seen in North St.
The nearby proof Range was first used to test 18 pound ammunition in 1928.
ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:
