While it is certainly best known for its incredibly long wooden jetty, grey nomads visiting the friendly South Australian town of Port Germein quickly discover it has plenty of other things to recommend it.
Located about 70 kilometres south of Port Augusta overlooking Germein Bay, the community of around 400 or so boasts great fishing and crabbing, stunning walks, lovely markets … and it’s located in a truly beautiful region surrounded by beaches, mountains, national parks, wineries and quaint villages.
On top of all that, the Port Germein Caravan Park is one of those increasingly rare traditional, friendly foreshore van parks that’s close to just about everything.
Port Germein was put on the map back in 1881 when its jetty was built to allow sailing ships to be loaded with grain. Because of its shallow beach, the jetty was extended a couple of years later to a whopping 1680 metres. While it has since been shortened a little by storm damage and various repairs, it is still the longest jetty in South Australia.
When the railway arrived in the 1930s and ever-larger ships could no longer moor, Port Germein went into something of a decline and things closed.
Today though, tourism is alive and well and the foreshore is generally busy with people strolling around the Heritage Precinct and art trails, and just sitting enjoying the scenery and the ambience.
Must-sees include the anchor and plough in the median strip in the centre of town which bears an inscription paying tribute to ‘the seafarers and pioneers of Port Germein and District’; and the historic Old Pier Hotel where rowdy sailors used to gather back in the day.
Many grey nomads, of course, will not be able to resist the urge to cast a line or perhaps try to catch some of the area’s famous Blue Swimmer crabs.
Port Germein is also a great base from which to explore the Southern Flinders and maybe discover a few wineries and farmers’ markets along the way. Also well worth a short drive is Telowie Gorge National Park, Port Germein Gorge, and the spectacular Mount Remarkable National Park.
However long grey nomads planned to stay here, they would probably be wise to add on a day or two!
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