Weeroona Island facts for kids
Corner of Glacier Road and Mount Ferguson Drive
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 Weeroona Island
Location in South Australia
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Spencer Gulf |
| Coordinates | 33°06′14.33″S 138°01′41.68″E / 33.1039806°S 138.0282444°E |
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Australia
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Weeroona Island is a small island in South Australia. It is about 77 hectares (which is like 190 acres) in size. You can find it in Germein Bay, which is part of the Spencer Gulf. The island sits between the city of Port Pirie and the town of Port Germein.
Weeroona Island is known for the old shipwreck of the York. It also has small beach houses, sandy shores, and is linked to the mainland by a 300-meter-long road. This road, called a causeway, crosses over areas with mangrove trees and muddy tidal flats.
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Exploring Weeroona Island's Landscape
Weeroona Island is about 1 kilometer wide. The western side of the island does not have many mangrove trees. Instead, it has calm beaches with wide, sandy areas that stretch out into the water. The beach on the western side goes for about 1.6 kilometers. The eastern side of the island is mostly surrounded by mangroves.
How the Island Connects to the Mainland
When the tide is high, Weeroona Island is separated from the mainland by water. But when the tide is low, the water goes out, and muddy areas called tidal flats connect the island to the mainland. A 300-meter-long road, or causeway, makes it easy to drive to the island.
Beaches and Homes on the Island
Sandy beaches can be found along the southern, western, and northern parts of the island. These beaches are usually narrow when the tide is high. Along the southern shore, there are about 20 small beach houses. Larger pieces of land on the northern shore are privately owned. The land behind the beaches rises up to a grassy hill, which is the highest point of the island, about 30 meters high.
A Look Back at Weeroona Island's Past
Weeroona Island has an interesting history, from being considered a port to hosting a holiday camp.
Port Flinders: A Port That Never Was
In the 1850s, people thought Weeroona Island might be a good place for a port. They even called it Port Flinders. The idea was to connect this new port to the existing shipping channel that served Port Pirie. It was considered for moving copper ore from nearby mountains. However, as Port Pirie grew bigger, the plan for Port Flinders was no longer needed.
The Wreck of the York
Weeroona Island is where the old ship York rests. The Adelaide Steam and Tug Company bought this ship in 1877. They used it in Port Adelaide to carry goods from larger ships to the shore.
Later, the York was purposely run aground (meaning it was pushed onto the land) on the southern side of Weeroona Island. This was done so it could be used as a platform for loading things. Smaller boats called ketches could tie up to the York at high tide. Stone was then dug up from the island and taken back to Port Pirie. This stone was used to help build the harbor there. The remains of the York can still be seen off the southern shore of the island when the tide is low.
Weeroona Holiday Camp: A Fun Getaway
In April 2013, a local historian named Den Kennedy confirmed the remains of the Weeroona Holiday Camp. This camp first opened in 1929. You can still find parts of a special floor, a winding dirt path, and a rock-pool swimming pond on the island. These are all that is left of the old public camp.
The camp was a popular place for people to relax and have fun. It had small huts, tents, and even a dance hall. It was officially opened as the South Sea Palais on November 10, 1934. It was decorated with cool green colors, palm trees, and bamboo. The camp buildings were moved to Weeroona Island by the Broken Hill Associated Smelters. They used 13 barges to bring the buildings from another resort called Weeroona Bay near Point Lowly. That resort had been a place for smelter workers who were not feeling well to rest and get better.
Images for kids
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Corner of Glacier Road and Mount Ferguson Drive
