Port Wakefield, South Australia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Port Wakefield South Australia
Population:	476 2006 Census ^[1]
Postcode:	5550 ^[2]
Location:	99 km (62 mi) North West of Adelaide via
LGA:	Wakefield Regional Council
State District:	Goyder
Federal Division:	Wakefield

Port Wakefield (34°11′S, 138°09′E) was the first government town to be established north of the capital, Adelaide, in South Australia.

Port Wakefield is situated approximately 98.7 kilometres from Adelaide and lies on the Port Wakefield Road section of the A1 National Highway. Port Wakefield is situated at the head of the Gulf Saint Vincent.

[edit] History

Port Wakefield was first visited by Matthew Flinders in 1802, while he was travelling to the Flinders Ranges and was originally named Port Henry. The name of the town was later changed to Port Wakefield after the discovery of the nearby Wakefield River.

[edit] Today

Port Wakefield is a major stop on the Adelaide – Yorke Peninsula and Adelaide – Port Augusta road routes. Just north of the township there is a major forked intersection where the Yorke Peninsula traffic diverges west from the main highway. The intersection is notorious for road accidents.

Located thus, Port Wakefield is known mostly for its roadhouses and trucking stops, including BP, Shell, United and SAFF. Port Wakefield hosts travellers (coming from Adelaide by road) to the Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula or the Nullarbor Plain will travel through this town.

Port Wakefield has several adjacent beaches and caravan parks. Popular places to stay include the Port Wakefield Motel (located just off the highway) and the Port Wakefield Caravan Park.