We left Adelaide early and headed north. Our base for the next three nights will be at Redwing Farmstay, which is about 10 Kim's south of Moonta. However, we took a diversion to Port Pirie. This was based on Diane's curiosity in finding out what happens to the ore that is mined in Broken Hill. Port Pirie is home to the world's largest lead smelter and third largest silver smelter. It also refines large quantities of zinc and other metals. A bus tour of the plant enabled us to find out some answers. The tour does not permit photos, and because of safety restrictions, you are not permitted to leave the bus. Despite this, the tour was excellent, conducted by a very knowledgeable retired worker. the photo below gives you some idea of the scale of the place. the tour itself took about 90 mins, plus a video before we started.
The photo below was taken be Geoff alongside the dock looking toward the plant. Notice the 205 metre chimney
After our tour we checked out the local museum, which is housed in the old railway station, which is on the Main Street in the town. Yes, that's right, the trains, both freight and passenger services, ran up and down the Main Street!
Notice the central tower with the round window. Geoff climbed up several ladders and took the photo below, looking toward the smelter
There was a preserved shunting steam loco from the smelter in the museum yard. See Geoff pretending he is a steam train driver.
From Port Pirie, we headed south to Moonta, then on to Redwing.
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