Living in Regional South Australia
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Photo courtesy of the City Of Mount Gambier |
Whyalla is South Australia's second largest regional city and is located 400 kms north - west of Adelaide. It is one of South Australia's principal industrial cities, a major exporter and a significant contributor to the state's economy. It has a rich history built on steel production, but the city's economy is expanding in new directions with exciting new global industries being targeted, including aquaculture, sustainable development and renewable technologies.
'Where the outback meets the sea'... Whyalla is centrally located in a vast region encompassing a diversely productive Eyre Peninsula with predominantly farming and aquaculture enterprises, the magnificent Flinders Ranges and then farther a field to the real Australian Outback.
Mount Gambier is the state's largest regional city located 440 kilometres south - east of Adelaide. Set in a unique landscape featuring volcanic craters, the Blue lakes and underground waterways, the city services a vibrant region renowned for its forestry, rich and varied agriculture, national and international wineries and fishing industries. Mount Gambier attracts many tourists to the surrounding Limestone Coast region.
Climate
With over 300 days of sunshine (or there abouts) Whyalla is blessed with a Mediterranean climate, low humidity, mild winters and a low rainfall.
The skies are consistently clear and blue during the day and star filled at night - providing spectacular sunsets and sunrises throughout the year.
Mount Gambier, on the other hand, is renowned for its cold, wet winters and mild summers - with January and February averaging a balmy 25C.
What is there to do?
Whyalla and Mount Gambier both have a strong sporting and outdoor culture with the opportunity to join in Australian rules football, soccer, golf, hockey, tennis, bushwalking, abseiling, trail riding, netball, fishing, scuba diving and windsurfing... just to mention a few.
There are the pubs and clubs to catch up with friends, a dedicated arts community in both cities, and special events happening throughout the year- but they're just all on a smaller scale than Adelaide yet still offer lots of fun and the chance to feel a part of a real regional community.
The people
With a population of 22,000 people in Whyalla, and 23,500 people in Mount Gambier, both regional cities have dynamic multicultural communities offering a relaxed, friendly lifestyle.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Whyalla and Mount Gambier is very similar to Adelaide, which is recognised as having one of the lowest costs of living rates in the world.
Travel
Whyalla is very easy to travel around, with almost anywhere only 10 minutes away by car. A public transport service also operates across the city.
Whyalla is also only a short flight by aeroplane to Adelaide, or a four to five hour drive by car or bus. Up to eight return bus services operate daily, with connections in Adelaide to other state and national locations.
Mount Gambier is also very easy to travel around with five bus routes servicing the city Mondays to Fridays. Likewise it is an hour long flight away from Adelaide, and a 5-6 hour drive by car or bus.
For more information
For more information please visit the following sites: