24 hours in Port Pirie

Wondering what to do during your stay in Port Pirie? Here’s your go-to guide to the best 24 hours in Port Pirie.

Port Pirie Railway Station Museum

The original Port Pirie Railway Station is today occupied by the Port Pirie National Trust Museum. Take a tour of the museum and enjoy the displays including recreated room settings set at about 1900, Port Pirie’s largest industry the ‘Pasminco Smelter’, railway and shipping history, the narrow-gauge shunting engine ‘Port Pirie’ and a time-line development of Port Pirie.

Nyrstar Lead Smelter Tour

The Nyrstar smelter tour very popular and takes around two hours to complete. On the tour, learn about the smelting processes and see people at work giving you a better understanding of what the city of Port Pirie is all about. Producing and exporting lead, zinc, silver and gold from site on the Upper Spencer Gulf, the smelter is part of the Nyrstar Pty Ltd group, one of the largest integrated zinc and lead producers in the world. Tours of the Nyrstar Port Pirie Smelter are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday through the Port Pirie Tourism and Art Centre.

Port Pirie Regional Tourism and Arts Centre

Enrich your holiday experience with a visit to the Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre. As well as being home to Port Pirie’s accredited visitor information centre, it is also host to many unique and varied attractions. Visit Shakka the Shark, considered to be one of Port Pirie’s icons, this 5.5 metre replica great white shark along with the original jaws, fin and story will give you goose bumps. If you’re looking for a thrill, step into the virtual reality shark cage dive tank – not for the faint hearted! The Port Pirie Regional Tourism and Arts Centre is also home to the Pirie Rail Express miniature railway which operates a miniature diesel engine providing rides for all ages on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.

Solomontown Beach

This man-made beach offers a safe inlet for swimmers or kayakers to enjoy a paddle. The view from the jetty makes more the perfect sunrise or sunset photo opportunities and provides visitors with a new appreciation for Port Pirie’s natural beauty. A drive across John Pirie Bridge also gives a unique perspective of Port Pirie by night when the smelter and city centre lights up.

Dinner at Angus & Co. Bar and Grill

After a day of exploring, relax and refuel at Angus & Co. Bar and Grill. Angus & Co. Bar and Grill is known for serving up the best steaks and ribs in town along with all your steakhouse favourites with a modern twist. With a relaxed atmosphere you can enjoy a drink at the bar or stay for dinner before retiring to your room for the evening at the John Pirie Motor Inn.

Where to stay? Book your stay at the John Pirie Motor Inn and save up to 30% off this winter, plus a complimentary 375ml bottle of Penfolds.