Whyalla

Whyalla

10th - 18th August 2017

Whyalla, situated on the Spencer Gulf, is very much an industrial town. The first steelworks was established here in 1941.

"The OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks are a fully-integrated operation, starting with the mining of raw materials and ending with the distribution of finished steel products.

Approximately 1.2 million tonnes of raw steel is produced in the steelworks each year, with about 65% of that product then transferred by rail to OneSteel's Market Mills in billet form for further processing. The balance of the steel is then converted to finished products in the Whyalla Rolling Mill. These products service the construction and rail transport industries.

Hematite and magnetite iron ore from the nearby South Middleback Ranges is transformed into over 90 different grades of steel."

The town has been really struggling with the downturn in the steelworks, however, Arium has recently purchased the OneSteel site and there is much optimism for a positive future. Also, The Australian Defence Force has purchased 380 square kilometres of land around Whyalla to establish the largest training facility in the southern hemisphere.

We were lucky enough to hitch a ride out to one of the iron ore mines Iron Baron to have a bird's eye view of the mine. This was a massive thanks to our amazing Bec, whose business has been integral in shipping the new equipment on site. The very entertaining Dave from STS Transport invited us to hop aboard his truck to collect a couple of the containers.

Approaching the Iron Baron Mines.

Luckily we didn't have to go through all that rigmarole - just stay in the truck!

Tonka trucks.

New blue equipment.

So great to get this close. I love anything industrial and production!

Loading the containers.

Dave on the job.

Dave from STS Transport. A fabulous, fun day.

BUT.....the main reason to head back to Whyalla was to collect our Penthouse. All our Christmases bundled into one!!! We spent 8 days at the Whyalla Foreshore Park to settle into it and unpack all the boxes!!!!

Huge thanks to STS Transport for getting all our worldly possessions from Adelaide to Whyalla. Hard to believe all that fitted into the Eagle!

Then the day arrived....all ours...YESSSSSS!!!

First night. A big mess, but so happy.

Where to start???

Yeah baby...coffee in our new cosy, comfy bed!

Everything unpacked and time to relax!

Dez also put a new whizz bang hitch and weight distribution system on the van.

A hammer fixes everything!

Old mate, Clarrie, from next door. A great bloke! He and his wife, Margaret, have been on the road for 5 years!

Still can't believe it is ours.

Dez and Clarrie hopeful for some King George Whiting....waiting....waiting....waiting! A great spot in front of the caravan though!

The Whyalla foreshore is lovely. Incredibly blue, clear water. Pity it is sooooo cold!

The marina, just a short stroll down the beach. Great daily walk.

Dolphins come regularly into the marina. Saw heaps, but only when I didn't have my camera. Oh well!

The OneSteel Steelworks and ore shipping port.

Loading containers with iron ore.

We had a morning at the Whyalla Maritime Museum. This Minesweeper, the corvette HMAS Whyalla was launched 12 May 1941. It was the first vessel built at the new BHP Steelworks.

Luxury accommodation for the Captain.

Officers private dining room.

Officers kitchenette.

Working bits.

The cooks would be "tested" on their skills. The menu was pretty basic.

One of two steam ovens.

Plenty of lime cordial to keep the scurvy at bay! And plenty of tin food.

Dezzi pretending to be the skipper.

Beautiful old lifeboat.

A brisk walk along the breakwater.

Not a bad view every day.

Getting ready to head out.

Dez and Clarrie. He was a great neighbour, and so helpful.

All set....off we go.

It was great to come back and really get to experience Whyalla properly. Next stop Point Lowly and Fitzgerald Bay just 30klm around the bay to do our first free camp!