Port Victoria

Centrally placed on Yorke Peninsula and only 192 km from Adelaide, Port Victoria is an ideal base to explore from. Overlooking the shores of Victoria Bay towards Wardang Island, the town is a popular destination for family holidays, fishing or diving experiences.

The waters around Wardang Island hide 9 shipwrecks, with 8 of them included in the Underwater Maritime Heritage Trail enjoyed by many diving enthusiasts.


Port Victoria Jetty - Yorke Peninsula, South Australia


Commercial fishing is still an important industry with recreational fishing from jetties, beaches or boats being a huge attraction to the area.

The traditional owners of Yorke Peninsula are the Adjahdura Aboriginal people, whose land reached from Port Broughton in the North to the Hammock Ranges in the East. Today Point Pearce and Wardang Island are Aboriginal Lands of the Adjahdura people. The Narungga Aboriginal Progress Association Inc (NAPA) has been formed to provide the means and opportunity for Aboriginal people to become more self-sufficient. To provide employment, skills/training opportunities, raise self-esteem and increase economic development.

History

In 1802 Captain Matthew Flinders mistook Wardang Island for part of the mainland and named the area Point Pearce. It wasn't until 1839 when the area was surveyed by Robert Cook and James Hughes, in a schooner called 'Victoria' that they realised there was a separated island, they named the bay Victoria Harbour in 1839 after their boat.

In 1876 the town was initially proclaimed as 'Wauraltee', however the local residents always called it Port Victoria, so its name was changed in 1940. Pastoralists took up most of the land for the first few years, followed by farmers. In the late 1870's the Hotel was the first building established and the jetty was constructed in 1878. In the 1880's the farmers around the area began experimenting with growing barley for human's to eat as well as just to feed the stock.

The town soon became a major grain port, exporting as far away as England. Ships were anchored in the harbour and loaded by a smaller craft, sometimes taking up to six weeks to fill one vessel. At one point during the Second World War 50,000 bags of grain were stored.

Known as the 'Last of the Windjammers' ports, Port Victoria was once alive with ships of all sizes from the massive Windjammers, Schooners, Baroques, Ketches and Steamships.

Attractions

  • The Port Victoria Maritime Museum on the foreshore has a unique collection of photographs and paintings of the windjammers and other vessels, as well as many items from the shipwrecks around Wardang Island
  • The Geology Trail explaining the volcanic history of the area. A guidebook can be obtained from the kiosk or museum
  • Scuba diving on shipwrecks, there is an Underwater Maritime Heritage Trail including eight shipwrecks around Wardang Island
  • Fishing Charters
  • Historic Walk through the town
  • Aboriginal Cultural Tours - Adjahdura Land, Yorke Peninsula
  • Cliff top walks

Activities

  • Fishing
  • Swimming
  • Windsurfing
  • Scenic drives
  • Golf
  • Bowls
  • Basketball
  • Walking
  • Scuba Diving
  • Sailboarding
  • Yachting

Events

  • Whiting Fishing Competition, Australia Day Weekend
  • Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol Annual Fishing competition - March
  • Easter Saturday Market

Town Facilities

  • Port Victoria Kiosk and Post Office, Phone: (08) 8834 2098
  • Gill Fisheries, Phone: (08) 8834 2016
  • IGA Store
  • Fuel Outlet
  • Hotel/Motel
  • Caravan Park
  • Police Station
  • Boat launching facilities
  • Jetty

Nearest Visitor Information 

The Port Victoria kiosk on the foreshore has some visitor information

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