The port and industrial town of Port Augusta (pop. 14,600) is a supply center for the outback areas of the state and the large sheep stations in the area and an important railroad junction, with direct connections to Perth, Sydney and Alice Springs. The economy of the town was given a great boost when the State Electricity Trust built a number
of large power stations here. These are fuelled by coal from the opencast mines at Leigh Creek, 300km north, and generate more than a third of the state's electricity.
On a Heritage Walk round the town visitors will see a number of fine buildings, including the Town Hall (1887), the Courthouse (1884) and above all St Augustine's Church, with beautiful stained glass. The Cudnatta Art Gallery is housed in the former railroad station.