Developing trade and port histories: Outports - Klein Point

• Introduction
• Ardrossan
• Ceduna/Thevenard
• Connecting Kangaroo Island
• Fleurieu Peninsula Ports
• Fleurieu Peninsula Ports continued
• Klein Point
• Port Augusta
• Port Elliot
• Port Germein
• Port Giles
• Port Lincoln
• Port MacDonnell
• Port Pirie
• Port Victoria
• Port Wakefield
• Robe
• Victor Harbor
• Victor Harbor continued
• Wallaroo
• Whyalla and Port Bonython

Klein Point

Klein Point Jetty, or as it was known prior to 1965 Farquhar Jetty is seven kilometres south of Stansbury on Yorke Peninsula. The facility was built for the shipment of limestone by Adelaide Brighton Cement Ltd. The jetty was built in 1920 by the South Australian Harbors Board, on a lease back agreement. The jetty, which was the first reinforced concrete piled jetty in South Australia, was 79 metres long, with a depth at low water of 3.3 metres. It was widened in 1927, and further alterations were made in 1953 to accommodate new shipping arrangements.

When Accolade I came into service in 1965 a 'T' section was added to the jetty with improved loading facilities. Further extensions have been made to accommodate Accolade II, which is some 14 metres longer and 6419 tonnes. Two million tonnes of limestone are shipped across St Vincent Gulf to Port Adelaide each year. Klein Point is managed by Flinders Ports.

Flinders Ports: Port facilities: Klein Point

Port Augusta

Port Augusta was surveyed in 1854. As the nearest port to South Australia's inland and northern regions, its shipping supplied the needs of the frontier region. Ironically as the lifeline for coal imports for the railways, it was ultimately the railway that usurped its role as a port.

One of the earliest jetties at Port Augusta was built by Sir Thomas Elder for his pastoral businesses to the north. His wool clip was shipped from here and in 1866 the camels he imported for his breeding stud at Beltana, were off loaded at Port Augusta. More private jetties followed, one of which catered for the export of the copper ore mined in the Flinders Ranges at Yudnamutana. 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.

Initially it was the small coasting vessels that used the port. In 1871 a severe drought ended, and the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line began: both of these events affected the port's fortunes positively. Wheat growing in the region to the north and east of Port Augusta also increased. The port's shipping movements peaked with more overseas vessels visiting. Some, which delivered rails for the railway construction work, were able to leave with a full load of wool or wheat. It was not unusual however for vessels to arrive in ballast to collect a cargo, or vice versa.

The northern railway following its completion began to have its effect on Port Augusta as it by passed it, going through Quorn instead. The great Federation drought of the 1890s caused difficulties for the frontier port - goods and supplies came in for the local people but there was little in the way of exports.

By the early 20^th century, ships bringing coal for the railway or timber for sleepers and embankments predominated. Provision ships continued to come on a near weekly basis, but eventually these would be replaced by road traffic. The introduction of diesel locomotives by the Commonwealth Railway was the final blow for Port Augusta's shipping fortunes. The wool clip was also carried by road or rail transport, as were the town's supplies. In 1958 the regular supply ship was cancelled. In the early 1960s there was a brief flurry of activity with copper and salt exports, and railway requirements.

The port of Port Augusta was closed in 1974. Port Augusta's position as frontier town and gateway to the Outback continues unabated.

Further reading:

Anderson, R.J.  Solid town:  a history of Port Augusta.  [Port Augusta, S. Aust.] : R.J. Anderson, 1988

Collins, Neville.  The jetties of South Australia:  past and present.  Woodside, Neville Collins, 2005