Discover Port Pirie

Port Pirie tells its story through industry, shipping, railways and art. Families can combine different discoveries here: historical themes at the museum and on a self-guided trail, large-scale art in the Central Business District, and a market featuring regional producers. Which of these aspects interests you most can also shape your choice of holiday accommodation and the focus of your trip.

Explore industrial history at your own pace

The stories of the people and industries of the city are at the heart of the Port Pirie National Trust Museum. They include the history of smelting, railways and shipping. These themes offer different ways to explore the past: you can focus on industrial work or on the role that transport and maritime history play in accounts of Port Pirie. For families, this is an opportunity to choose together which subjects they would like to learn more about.

The Port Pirie Heritage Trail offers another way to explore. The self-guided route takes you through the city’s maritime, industrial and cultural heritage and includes more than 30 significant sites. It is a comprehensive way to explore several facets of local history. Since the walk is self-guided, you can choose what to focus on—for example, maritime history, industry or cultural heritage. If you prefer to explore individual subjects in more depth, you can consider the trail alongside the museum’s exhibits without limiting yourself to just one historical perspective.

Art between the gallery and the murals

The Port Pirie Mural Trail is two kilometres long and features large-scale murals and artistic installations in the Central Business District. Its length gives you a specific point of reference for planning your day. Its artistic focus also differs from the historical focus of the Heritage Trail: here, the emphasis is on murals and installations in the urban environment. If you’re out with children, you can look out for the large-scale artworks together and enjoy a different way of experiencing art than in an exhibition space.

At the Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery, you’ll find contemporary and traditional visual art by local, regional and national artists. Visitors can also see changing exhibitions there. This makes the gallery a fitting stop for anyone interested in different forms of artistic expression. If art is an important part of your trip, you can make a gallery visit a focus in its own right, alongside the murals.

Regional producers and an outing with children

The Port Pirie Market takes place in Memorial Park in Port Pirie. There, locals and visitors can shop with regional growers and producers. This is a different way to experience the place than through its history or art: the focus is on the vendors and their regional products. If you find this aspect especially appealing, the market can be an opportunity to get to know Port Pirie through its producers.

The Solomontown Beach playground offers a play area with a beach setting. This gives families a dedicated place to play alongside their cultural explorations. If you’d like to plan a day around different interests, you can consider this as another possible focus. The play area complements the historical and artistic themes, without implying a combined walk or a particular order.

Which focus suits your stay?

Local orientation may also be relevant when choosing holiday accommodation in Port Pirie. The Port Pirie Visitor Information Centre sells maps and is on the Stateliner bus route; both may be useful for finding your way around the area.

For an overview of the wider trip: Port Pirie Regional Council.