Port Vincent, South Australia

Port Vincent is a small town on the east coast of Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, 194 km from Adelaide by road.

Port Vincent
South Australia
Looking towards the beach at Port Vincent
Port Vincent is located in Yorke Peninsula Council
Port Vincent
Port Vincent
Coordinates34°46′0″S 137°51′0″E / 34.76667°S 137.85000°E / -34.76667; 137.85000
Population494 (UCL 2021)[1]
Established1877
Postcode(s)5581
Elevation5 m (16 ft)
Location194 km (121 mi) from Adelaide
LGA(s)Yorke Peninsula Council
State electorate(s)Narungga[2]
Federal division(s)Grey[3]
Localities around Port Vincent:
Curramulka Curramulka
Sheaoak Flat
Gulf St Vincent
Curramulka
Ramsay
Port Vincent Gulf St Vincent
Stansbury Stansbury Gulf St Vincent
FootnotesAdjoining localities[4]

History

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The Narungga Aborigines inhabited the area prior to white settlement. The town was laid out by Adelaide solicitor L.M. Cullen in 1877, originally known as Surveyor's Point.

In its early days it was a port exporting wheat, barley, wool and mallee stumps (firewood). From the first settlement in 1852 until 1877, coastal trading ketches would beach at high tide, and unload directly to farm wagons at low tide. A jetty was built into the bay in 1877, construction of a wharf began in 1901, and the original jetty was removed in 1918. Port Vincent was the main entry point for people and goods to and from the Yorke Peninsula until a good road was built from Port Wakefield in around 1949. Three major fuel companies had storage and distribution depots in the town, supplied by boat or barge from Port Adelaide.[5]

The town today

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A seaside holiday destination for many years, recently it has been the site of a marina development. Port Vincent was named Australia's Tidiest Town in 2004, having won the South Australian award in 2000 and 2003.[6] It has active volunteer organisations including the CFS, Coast Guard, Tidy Towns etc.

In 2003, a large marina was constructed in Port Vincent. It is operated by the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia.[7] Port Vincent can also cater for schools on camp with various water activities. The town has grown in size over the last few years with the release of land for housing. There is a proposed 'next stage', which will include over 100 domestic building blocks and possibly a retirement village.[when?]

2011 saw Port Vincent win the State's Cleanest Beach Award and went on to the National Judging.[8]

VAC swim operates there in the summer holidays.[9]

See also

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Notes and references

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  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Port Vincent (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021.  
  2. ^ Narungga (Map). Electoral District Boundaries Commission. 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  3. ^ "Federal electoral division of Grey" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  4. ^ "New Ward Structure 2014". Yorke Peninsula Council. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Port Vincent". This is Australia. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  6. ^ "Australian Tidy Towns Honour Roll". Keep Australia Beautiful. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  7. ^ "Marina Port Vincent". Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Australian Clean Beaches Honour Roll". Keep Australia Beautiful. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  9. ^ "Port Vincent Beach". VACSWIM locations. SA WAter VACSWIM. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
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