Port Kenny, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Port Kenny South Australia
Port Kenny Hotel
Port Kenny Location in South Australia
Established	1912
Postcode(s)	5671
Elevation	17 m (56 ft)
Location	655 km (407 mi) West of Adelaide
LGA(s)	District Council of Elliston
State electorate(s)	Flinders
Federal Division(s)	Grey

Port Kenny is a small town located on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. It serves as a central point for the surrounding agricultural district, as well as professional fishermen and tourists. It currently has a very small population.

History

The township of Port Kenny was surveyed in 1912, with Governor Bosanquet naming the town after a local landholder, Michael Kenny. The town grew slightly with the help of the pub, before the hotel began operation in 1939. But the town was pivotal in handling the grain and wool which was produced in the hinterland, with grain still being shipped from Port Kenny until the 2000s.

As early as the late 1920s, the area was recognised as a recreational fishing destination, with anglers travelling to the tiny outposts to catch trevally and salmon.

Geography

Port Kenny lies on Venus Bay, a highly protected body of water characterised by tidal flats, mangrove swamps, small islands and shallow beaches. Nearby town Venus Bay lies close to the entrance of the bay, while Port Kenny lies on the northernmost side of the bay. The land around the town is relatively flat, and used primarily for agriculture.

Economy

Agriculture is the towns main economic input, with cereal crops and livestock commonly farmed. Tourism supplements this, with the aid of the town hotel and caravan park.

The town features a base to which other destinations can be visited. The town jetty and surrounding waters are also known for their fishing potential, with whiting, flathead, trevally and garfish commonly caught.