Hidden History of Port Elliot

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[{"address":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0421,"latitudeDelta":0.0922,"latitude":-35.5302739,"longitude":138.6815216},"media":[{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#The famous Port Elliot Bakery!\n\nWell not really a historic place but this is a great place to start (even if you're not hungry😊) because it's the informal centre of Port Elliot, on the main road right in the middle of town.\n\nEveryone in Adelaide knows about Port Elliot's bakery. Although it's a very busy town in summer it's easy to see why there's only one bakery - nobody would bother going anywhere else!\n\nWe've been holidaying here with our family for over 20 years and our locked in daily lunch time ritual is half an hour of deciding which delight to choose and then the happy trek to town 😊\n\nThey have a vast range of tasty goods including vegetarian and vegan options. Their chocolate donuts are a big favourite in our family!\n\nWhen it's busy there will be a queue but it's not a problem - they have an efficient squad and it's always worth the short wait!"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"link","content":"https://www.portelliotbakery.com/"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"When you're ready, let's start our journey by heading west (go left as you leave the bakery) and turning left into what was the original main street of Port Elliot - the Strand.\nhi\nWalk along The Strand for about 200 metres until you cross Arthur Street and you should see the Elliot Hotel on the other side of the road, next to the railway line. \n\nDon't rush - this is a history tour but there are lots of interesting shops, restaurants and cafes on the Strand and you may want to duck in or make a note of them for later.\n"}]},{"address":"Hotel Elliot, The Strand, Port Elliot SA, Australia","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0421,"latitudeDelta":0.0922,"latitude":-35.532177,"longitude":138.6813354},"media":[{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_1_0.jpeg?alt=media&token=defd6b62-5280-4b1d-bc0f-6a417e42c7d6"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#Hotel Elliot\nAlthough not a visibly old place, the Hotel Elliot does have its own history - it started as the Railway Hotel in 1868. Originally built with limestone, it had balconies on the south and east sides.\n\nIt's also a place you might want to keep in mind for later - it has several bars, a beer garden and meals in bar, bistro or fine dining style.\n\nOur first historic stop is next. Running past the Hotel Elliot is the railway line. Cross the street and 50 metres along the line you'll find the Railway Station. Be careful to stay on the south (right hand) side of the tracks - trains still run here frequently."},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":""}]},{"address":"Pt Elliot,Port Elliot","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0013789907097816467,"latitudeDelta":0.0011964130613932866,"latitude":-35.53273903403313,"longitude":138.68066685274243},"media":[{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_2_0.jpeg?alt=media&token=a2deace0-3138-4c62-86e7-e79315e0b993"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#Railway Station\n\nThis railway ticket office was built in 1911 but leads us into the earlier, most important part of Port Elliot's history.\n\nFor 15 years from 1851 Port Elliot was something of a boom town and was at the centre of a lot of South Australia's trade. \n\nIn 1854 Australia's first public railway was built between Goolwa and Port Elliot, to carry goods to and from the Murray River, which was a major transport artery in those days.\n\nThe Murray mouth proved too difficult for ships to navigate, so cargo was moved between the river at Goolwa and the new habour town of Port Elliot."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_2_1.jpeg?alt=media&token=4dfda327-c6ee-47ae-b912-6438d34cbeed"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"In 1855 a peak of 85 ships docked at Port Elliot but then suddenly, it all ended after numerous ships were wrecked in 1856.\n\nIt was decided that Victor Harbor would become the new port and the railway line, which originally ended at the jetty, was extended across the town to this point and on to Victor Harbor.\n\nA platform was built here in 1866 and a ticket office in 1911."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_2_2.jpeg?alt=media&token=89529092-347d-4a80-a421-5108e7a578ca"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"These days you can still see and catch a train on this line. Known as the Cockle Train, it's an old fashioned steam engine and it runs between Goolwa and Victor Harbor. It's run by volunteers and you can buy tickets online or at the station at Goolwa or Victor Harbor.\n\nYou'll probably hear the whistle of the Cockle Train while you're in Port Elliot. But also keep an eye out as you continue to our next stop.\n\nAlthough it ceased to be a trading port, Port Elliot quickly dusted itself off and it was \"onwards and upwards\" - it soon became a popular holiday spot. \n\nHead back to The Strand and the Hotel Ellliot then turn right. Carefully cross the railway line and you will see a small old building all by itself...."}]},{"address":"33 The Strand, Port Elliot SA, Australia","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0421,"latitudeDelta":0.0922,"latitude":-35.5326725,"longitude":138.681424},"media":[{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#The Council Chamber\n\nIt's pretty clear there wasn't a huge bureaucracy in the old days of Port Elliot - they wouldn't fit!\n\nUp to this point the council were struggling to find a regular room and building their own was going to save them £10 per year - a handy sum in those days. Clearly the council of 1879 weren't big spenders..."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_3_1.jpeg?alt=media&token=133e7e88-2415-4842-8195-92383c5c184c"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"But not everything in Port Elliot was so modest and small. Look across the road and you'll see an imposing building that was built just a year after the Council Chamber...."}]},{"address":"10 The Strand,Port Elliot","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0010148808360099792,"latitudeDelta":0.0008804575890053457,"latitude":-35.533121831753476,"longitude":138.68176052346826},"media":[{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_4_0.jpeg?alt=media&token=5be3460c-5d6a-4b80-922a-33a10e3ed44e"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#The Port Elliot Institute \n\nThis building is our first sign of the development of Port Elliot into something more than just a port town.\n\nThe Port Elliot Institute was built in 1880 as a lending library with a reading room and had 7 yearly members.\n\nIts design reminds me of the very grand Freemasons Hall in Adelaide (only much smaller)\n\nAt our next stop we go back to thhe days when the port was Port Elliot's focus."},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"Continue uphill on The Strand. Cross Freeling Terrace and and pause at the next junction which is pretty much at the top of the hill.\n\nYou'll see a long grassed reserve. Walk along it or through the middle and after about 50 metres you'll see a stack of granite rocks leaning together."}]},{"address":"Harbour Masters Reserve Freeman Lookout,Port Elliot","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.001014880836038401,"latitudeDelta":0.0008804368982211486,"latitude":-35.535007140229936,"longitude":138.6824226938188},"media":[{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#The Harbor Master's Cottage (site of)\n\nThe Harbor Master's job in a major port was probably the most important job in town and the cottage built here in 1852 had an excellent view of Horseshoe Bay.\n\nAlthough many ships were lost in Horseshoe bay, oversight and management of incoming ships wasn't the problem.\n\nMost ships were lost after they dropped anchor when they \"slipped their moorings\" during heavy weather or storms, and either struck the rocks or were dragged onto the beach.\n\nIn 1864 the harbor master almost lost his life helping to save the Athol. Most of the cargo was saved but the ship itself was lost. Nobody is sure where the ship ended its days but a case from the Athol washed up on a nearby beach, which was named Crockery Bay."},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"The original cottage was demolished in 1970 and the memorial here was built using the massive stone lintels from the cottage - which appear to have been cut from the granite rocks in the area."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_5_0.jpeg?alt=media&token=7a666207-adfd-4f26-a992-cb98cb83562b"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_5_1.jpeg?alt=media&token=af05fee0-9aa5-4ca2-a5bf-401cdf0b7954"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"Before and after the disasters in Horsehoe Bay, a lot of work was done to make Port Elliot safe for ships.\n\nOur next stop is one of those.\n\nIf you didn't already see a white tower on this hilltop on your way to Port Elliot then you will have seen it as you walked to the Harbor Master's cottage site.\n\nIt's just a short walk up to the top of the hill."}]},{"address":"Continental Park The Strand,Port Elliot","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0010148808360099792,"latitudeDelta":0.0008804281636258793,"latitude":-35.535802994488584,"longitude":138.6833175458014},"media":[{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_6_0.jpeg?alt=media&token=c4202c17-2ba8-421d-a18f-2ed9a53f5a92"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#The Obelisk\n\nThis was built in 1853 to help guide ships to Horseshoe Bay.\n\nBefore this, sailors had to find their own way to safe harbours.\n\nLook out over the sea and imagine the early explorers sailing past these lands which were just becoming known to Europeans. "},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"In 1802 Matthew Filnders, who was circumnavigating and mapping what was then known as New Holland, met the French explorer Nicholas Baudin (who was on a similar expedition) just to the west of this point.\n\nAlthough Britain and France were technically at war at this point, it was a friendly meeting, as you can imagine.\nFor two crews in a strange land far from home it would have been like astronauts bumping into each other on the moon!\n\nSo Flinders (who by the way recommended the name Australia for our continent) named the bay to the west of this point Encounter Bay."},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"If you turn your gaze to the east and look across Horseshoe Bay, you'll see a long pile of rocks running out across the bay. That's our next stop.\n\nLook for a track running downhill in that direction and head down it for 10 metres or so..."},{"type":"text","content":""}]},{"address":"52 The Cutting,Port Elliot","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.00330951064825058,"latitudeDelta":0.0028704469531461996,"latitude":-35.53625670082927,"longitude":138.68510087952018},"media":[{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#Breakwater\n\nPerhaps the biggest change to Port Elliot was the construction of the breakwater. This took 4 years, not surprising in a time when powered rock cutters and cranes hadn't been invented!\n\nIt shelters Hoseshoe Bay from some of the swell coming fron the Southern Ocean."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_7_0.jpeg?alt=media&token=dec3c79f-4a5f-4a47-99cb-90ec91792c47"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"Let's take a closer look. \n\nKeep walking down the track and you'll see a small sandy beach just to the left of the breakwater.\n\nThat's Lady Bay, one of my favourite beaches in South Australia.\n\nOriginally it was a ladies only beach and men could only bathe at Horseshoe bay, wearing \"suitable bathing costumes\" and with a policeman on duty!\n\nThose were quaint Victorian times!"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_7_1.jpeg?alt=media&token=c222bb32-00b4-4950-9a63-7d9efcc55367"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"Lady Bay isn't as exciting as Horsehoe Bay - it doesn't have those big dumping waves - but it's very peaceful.\n\nI've often spotted a seal or two here, just lolling about in the sheltered waters to the left of the breakwater.\n\nIf you spend a few minutes gazing at the bay you might see a small dark shape that pops up. Sometimes it'll be a flipper as a seal hangs face down in the water!"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"If you want to dip your toes in the sand there's a short steep track that takes you past some big granite boulders and onto the beach.\n\nTake your time and enjoy, and come back up to the main track when you're ready. \n\nIf we then head left along the track you'll soon see the other obvious improvement to Horseshoe Bay - the jetty."}]},{"address":"Port Elliot,Port Elliot","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.00330951064825058,"latitudeDelta":0.0028704897621523173,"latitude":-35.53506033130668,"longitude":138.68429688736796},"media":[{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#The Jetty\n\nIn 1852 this was built at the end of the railway line from Goolwa, as the loading point for goods to and from the port."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_8_0.jpeg?alt=media&token=9cf5fa46-3796-45c3-87e6-551e8670e3ed"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"Tempting though it might be to climb down there and take a plunge, we'll continue along the track until we see a memorial to those dangerous days...(and an easier path to the jetty if you're eager!)"}]},{"address":"3 The Cutting,Port Elliot","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0033095106482790015,"latitudeDelta":0.00287050319534643,"latitude":-35.53468491041947,"longitude":138.68327664211392},"media":[{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_9_0.jpeg?alt=media&token=36a55f45-696d-4e4f-9e21-ec17424cfa1d"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#Remnants of Shipwrecks\n\nThese anchors are from a few of the ships which met their end here in Hoseshoe Bay.\n\nSome of the wrecks are outside the bay but a few are close to shore. At low tide you may be able to see signs of the Harry, Josephine, Loizeau, Lapwing or Flying Fish in the surf zone at low tide."},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"You can learn all about the ships which were wrecked at Hoseshoe Bay here:"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"link","content":"https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/heritage/maritime-heritage/visiting-maritime-heritage-place"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"We're going to head into the back streets of Port Elliot soon, so be sure to take some time to enjoy the view and the sea breeze.\n\nWhen you're ready to move on, keep going along the path next to the beach and pass the surf life saving clubhouse.\n\nThere's a road running from the front of the clubhouse and gently uphill around the beach. That's called The Cutting and it's the path of the original railway line to the jetty.\n\nFollow that till you reach a junction and turn left.\n\nThat road is Henry Street - follow it as it bends left and turn into the 3rd street on your right - that's Murray Terrace."}]},{"address":"23 Murray Terrace,Port Elliot","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0015908852219297387,"latitudeDelta":0.001379788036452112,"latitude":-35.53128449832661,"longitude":138.68211390450597},"media":[{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#Murray Terrace\n\nWe're aiming to walk down Murray Street to the next junction which is Arthur Street. On the way you'll notice some lovely older houses which aren't especially historical but are pleasant to look at.\n\nYou'll cross the railway line before you reach Arthur Street so listen out for the whistle of the Cockle Train and look both ways as you cross the tacks."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_10_2.jpeg?alt=media&token=7814e5e8-9a6e-4ff3-850d-34cba1688a78"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"After the railway line take the first left and you'll see a lovely old stone and red brick building. That's St Judes Hall, built in 1895 and part of the St Judes Anglican Church."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_10_0.jpeg?alt=media&token=02ba2d27-7d13-40c3-a8fa-54cebd56e2b8"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"\nWalk to the next junction (with The Strand) and you'll see the beautiful main church building - our next stop."}]},{"address":"43 The Strand,Port Elliot","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0015908852219297387,"latitudeDelta":0.001379787614141037,"latitude":-35.531309054566336,"longitude":138.6813028715551},"media":[{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F2JOElMEDqKU42F8Hxh4W%2Fstop_11_0.jpeg?alt=media&token=9916097d-1d68-4849-a238-26f84d886fc4"},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"#St Judes Anglican Church\n\nWhen Port Elliot was designated a port town there was a bit of a construction boom. The hotels were possibly the first major new buildings but churches were close behind, this one being built in 1854.\n\nIt was finished in stages, the slate roof being added in 1885, the tower completed in 1937, the clock installed in 1940 and the most recent addition, a pipe organ, was added in 1995."},{"stop":"Port Elliot Bakery, North Terrace, Port Elliot SA, Australia","type":"text","content":"It must be an inspiring place in which to worship and it still hosts an active congregation today.\n\nOn that uplifting note we come to the end of our walk 😊\n\nTo return to our starting point, if you are facing the front of the church just go left down the Strand and you'll be back on the main road near the bakery.\n\nThank you for joining me on this journey through the past and the history of Port Elliot! I hope it has made your trip just that little bit more interesting 😀"}]}]