PORT WAKEFIELD: The Rising Sun Hotel: a car with tent accommodation on a trailer is parked outside

The Rising Sun Hotel began trading in 1856 with L. Cherry recorded as the first licensee. Of the seven hotels that operated in Port Wakefield in the early years only this and the Port Wakefield Hotel continue today.

The two storey hotel loooks much today as it did when first built: stone with rendered quoins and a wooden balcony across a portion of the front. As with most country hotels it was a centre for community activities: the first meeting of the St Vincent Port Wakefield Masonic Lodge was held there in November 1877, and meetings continued there until 1879 when the Lodge transferred its meetings to the Forester's Hall. Local men enlisted for World War I were farewelled at the hotel and in 1919 the first meeting of the local branch of the Returned Services League was held at the Rising Sun Hotel.

An article in The Register for 14 September 1926 described the hotel as offering 'all modern conveniences ... for the comfort of guests including a garage, electric light, sample rooms and a wireless receiver.'

The Rising Sun Hotel is listed as a heritage building by the National Trust of South Australia.

Donovan, P. F. Port Wakefield and district, a history: commemorating a century of local government [Port Wakefield, S. Aust.]: Port Wakefield District Council, 1978

Hoad, J. L Hotels and publicans in South Australia 1836-1984 Adelaide: Australian Hotels Association (South Australian Branch): Gould Books, 1986