Stirling North, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stirling North Port Augusta, South Australia
Stirling North Location in South Australia
Established	1859 (sub-division) 17 February 1994 (locality)
Postcode(s)	5710
Time zone	ACST (UTC+9:30)
• Summer (DST)	ACST (UTC+10:30)
Location	311 km (193 mi) North West of Adelaide
LGA(s)	City of Port Augusta
Region	Far North
County	Frome
State electorate(s)	Stuart
Federal Division(s)	Grey
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 24.7 °C 76 °F 13.6 °C 56 °F 257.0 mm 10.1 in
Suburbs around Stirling North: Wami Kata Wami Kata Saltia Port Augusta Port Paterson Stirling North Saltia Woolundunga Port Paterson Port Paterson Woolundunga Woolundunga
Footnotes	Location Adjoining suburbs

Stirling North is a small town in South Australia. It is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of Port Augusta. Locals sometimes call it Port Augusta South. This town started as a vital place for finding water in a dry area. Both Aboriginal people and later settlers used this water source for a very long time.

Not many people lived here until the 1980s. Around 100 homes were built for railway workers and their families. The Stirling North railway station was a key spot where up to four main train lines met. Over time, more houses were built. Now, Stirling North is like a "satellite town" to Port Augusta. This means many people live in Stirling North but work or go to school in Port Augusta. In 2008, about 350 people lived here. By 2021, the population grew to 2,793 people.

History of Stirling North

How Stirling North Got Its Name

The area we now call Stirling North was first known as Minchin Well by early settlers. It was named after Henry Paul Minchin. He was a special officer who worked with Aboriginal people. Minchin visited an Aboriginal camp here, where they had used a natural spring for thousands of years.

In 1854, Henry Minchin helped dig a well to improve the water supply. Later, a tall pipe called a standpipe was built. This made it easier to get water for farm animals and people.

In 1859, a man named Robert Barr Smith planned out a new town. He named it Stirling after his business partner, Edward Stirling. Their company was called Elder Smith & Co. Ltd, which later became a big farming business called Elders Limited. Old maps from 1859 show two towns planned by Robert Barr Smith: Stirling North and Stirling South.

Changes Over Time

In 1871, a "pound" was opened in Stirling North. A pound was a place where stray animals, like goats, were kept until their owners claimed them.

In 1916, the state government thought about changing the town's name to "Catninga." This was the name of a creek nearby. However, later that year, the official name became Stirling North. The exact boundaries of the town were officially set much later, in 1994.

What Can You Find in Stirling North?

Location and Travel

Stirling North is located at the bottom of the Southern Flinders Ranges. It is a common stop for travelers. The main highway going north (the Augusta Highway) and a road going east (the Flinders Ranges Way) meet near the town. This means many people stop here for services without needing to drive the extra 8 kilometers into Port Augusta.

Local Services and Fun Activities

The town has several useful services. You can find places to stay, food shops, a general store, and gas stations. There is also a post office and public telephones.

For sports and fun, Stirling North has a golf course and tennis courts. There is also a bike track and a public park where you can relax. A local bus service runs on weekdays between Stirling North and the center of Port Augusta.

Historic Landmark

The town is home to the historic Davenport Reservoir and Storage Tank. This old water system is so important that it is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register. This means it is a special place protected for its historical value.