01/12/2025
It’s wonderful to see the Port Augusta Tourism Development Strategy 2025–2030 now shared with the community. It's been a privilege this year to work alongside Port Augusta City Council, local operators, community members and industry partners to co-design a shared plan for growing Port Augusta’s visitor economy in a way that reflects local values and delivers genuine community benefit.
This strategy sets an achievable roadmap for the years ahead. At its heart, the plan focuses on turning transit into time well spent by encouraging self-drive visitors, caravanners and road trippers to slow down, stay longer and connect more deeply with the stories, landscapes and people that make Port Augusta special.
Guided by five strategic pillars, the plan outlines priority projects across:
• Place activation & destination appeal
• Product development
• Partnerships & investment
• Destination marketing
• Ecotourism & community stewardship
Some of the flagship opportunities include:
✨ Transformation of the wharf precinct and foreshore (supported by an upcoming $15M upgrade)
✨ Activation of the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden as a national leader in regenerative tourism
✨ Renewal of the Wadlata Outback Centre
✨ Strategic positioning of Port Augusta Central Oval as a regional events and conferencing hub
✨ Strengthening hero assets including Pichi Richi Railway and Yarta Purtli Gallery
Importantly, the strategy recognises the power of people and place, supported by strong community input and the emerging Port Augusta Technical College, which will play a critical role in workforce supply, skills development and empowering future leaders in tourism and hospitality.
This is a plan for:
• Local operators
• Aboriginal businesses and cultural custodians
• Council & public sector partners
• Regional development organisations
• Investors and collaborators
• Residents & community leaders (Business Port Augusta)
• Visitors who care about the places they explore
I’m incredibly proud to have contributed to this strategy and excited to see Port Augusta continue to evolve as a meaningful, welcoming destination township.
Port Augusta City Council has launched the Port Augusta Tourism Development Strategy 2025–2030, setting a bold and community-focused direction for growing the local visitor economy over the next five years. https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/the-council/council-documents/port-augusta-strategic-tourism-development-plan
