Ardrossan

An easy 90 minute drive from Adelaide on the East coast of Yorke Peninsula, Ardrossan is situated on top of imposing red cliffs providing excellent views of Gulf St Vincent. Wander down the jetty at sunrise to see the amazing display of colour the cliffs turn in the morning light.


Ardrossan Cliffs - Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

If 'blue swimmer crabs' are your favourite, then this is the place to be; drop a net from the jetty or rake in the shallows and you won't be disappointed.

Fishing from the jetty or boat will often return you a catch of tommy ruffs, mullet, garfish, squid or the prized King George Whiting.

A sought after holiday destination, Ardrossan offers families and holiday makers a wonderful place to enjoy this spectacular coastline and all of the activities it has to offer.

A main agricultural centre for surrounding districts, Ardrossan is a well serviced town offering good shopping and facilities.

A rich wheat and barley growing district with bulk grain handling facilities and a deep sea port allowing easy exportation of produce. Onesteel also has a dolomite operation just south of the town and Cheetham Salt, harvests salt just north of Ardrossan.

Climate

Ardrossan has a temperate climate with regular sea breezes. The maximum temperature is usually a few degrees cooler than Adelaide.

History

The town was proclaimed in 1873 and named by Governor Fergusson after Ardrossan in Ayrshire, Scotland. The jetty was built in 1876 and proclaimed a port in 1878. Early European settlers new the area as 'Clay Gully' or 'Parara'.

A busy grain port, produce was carried along the jetty by horse-drawn trolleys to the ships and hand loaded by skilful deckhands to ensure the load was secure in rough seas. Steamers also provided a passenger service to Port Adelaide on Tuesdays and Fridays, which took 4 hours to make the crossing in good weather.

The States first silo was erected at the site in 1952 and today the silos can handle in excess of 250,000 tonnes of grain.

Attractions

  • Ardrossan Museum displays the ingenuity of the Smith Brothers who invented the famous stump jump plough
  • One Steel Lookout - a man-made hill just south of the town provides spectacular views over Gulf St Vincent.
  • The wreck of the Zanoni lies 10 nautical miles southeast of Ardrossan, the ship is the most intact 19th century merchant sailing vessel located in SA. The 338-ton barque was built in Liverpool, England, in 1865 and arrived at Port Adelaide on 13 January 1867. Nearly a month later, laden with wheat, she set sail for London, but sank after running into a violent storm. People interested in diving can obtain permits from the Maritime Heritage Branch of the Department for Environment and Heritage.

Activities

  • Catching 'blue swimmer crabs' Any month containing 'R' is suitable with the best catches from February to April
  • Swimming
  • Crabbing
  • Fishing
  • Diving on the wreck of the 'Zanoni'
  • Sailboarding
  • Kayaking
  • Boating
  • Walking
  • Museum
  • Golf
  • Bowling
  • Tennis

Events

  • John Webb & Associates Pty Ltd Yorke Peninsula Art Exhibition - the District Council of Yorke Peninsula and local businesses sponsor a biennial art exhibition over the Easter break.
  • Christmas Eve Street Party

Town Facilities

  • 7 Day Foodland Supermarket, Phone: (08) 8837 3840
  • Ardrossan Discount Variety Store, Phone: (08) 8837 3900
  • Ardrossan Hardware Home and Garden, Phone: (08) 8837 3206
  • Ardrossan Mitre 10, Phone: (08) 8837 3006
  • BP Ardrossan Roadhouse Cafe, Phone: (08) 8837 3552
  • Shopping
  • Bank and ATM
  • 2 Hotels
  • Bakery
  • Takeaway Food
  • Accident and Emergency  
  • Private Hospital
  • 2 Caravan Parks
  • Police Station
  • Post Office
  • Petrol 
  • Golf Course

 

Nearest Visitor Information

The 7 day Foodland Supermarket has some visitor information

Yorke Peninsula Visitor Information Centre
29 Main Street, Minlaton, 5575