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Port Augusta harbour on 27 September 1884 with wooden schooner Postboy loading at the end of the jetty. Other ships in the port this day included the City of Adelaide, Beltana and Oaklands. Note the partially submerged trees in the left hand panel.

As the nearest town and port to the Outback of South Australia Port Augusta played an integral role in the development of the north. Besides being an outlet for the wool clip and later the wheat harvest from the adjacent regions, it was also the port to which the supplies for the building of the Overland Telegraph Line and later the northern railway were delivered.

The first jetty built was a private one erected for Sir Thomas Elder; he used this for the export of his wool clip and later in 1866 the camels he imported for a breeding stud were landed there.

Other private jetties were built and finally in 1870 the South Australian government erected a jetty. Its final length was 162 metres. It still stands but has been reduced to 78 metres. The government built a second jetty in 1877 to supply the needs of the northern railway.

The effects of drought severely influenced exports through this most northerly of South Australia's ports. Once built the railways became the main reason for the port's continued existence as the coal needed by the trains was imported through Porrt Augusta. The town's supplies continued to come in by sea until even this role was taken away and they arrived by road instead.

Port Augusta was officially closed as a port in 1974. It continues as the gateway to the Outback with road and rail links through the town.

Postboy (ship)

City of Adelaide (ship)

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. Wooden Walls and Iron Sides August 2004-