Far North, SA
About the Far North region
This region of South Australia takes up a massive 80% of its land, extending from just south of Port Augusta to the northern, western and eastern borders of the state. Despite its size, it is the state’s most sparsely populated region. The Far North is home to the major regional centre of Port Augusta, along with a host of smaller rural communities.
Readers are invited to learn more about the Far North region's Aboriginal history via the AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia.
Local councils
South Australia’s Far North region includes 4 municipalities: Port Augusta City Council, District Council of Coober Pedy, Flinders Ranges Council & Roxby Downs Council.
Climate information
The Far North region experiences a climate that ranges from semi-arid in its coastal reaches to arid further inland, where much of the region is desert. The average maximum temperature in summer hovers around 29 °C, with much cooler nights, while the average minimum temperature in winter sits at approximately 12-14 °C.
The region is very dry. On average, it receives just 150-250 mm of rainfall annually.
Population
The estimated population of the Far North region is approximately 28,670 as of 2018. Port Augusta is the largest community, acting as a central hub for the other small townships scattered across the region.
Education
The Far North region is home to a small number of primary and secondary schools. These are primarily located in regional centres such as Coober Pedy and Port Augusta, but there are also schools servicing more remote communities.
For those looking for tertiary education, TAFE SA has 2 campuses in the region, located in Coober Pedy and Port Augusta.
Employment and local businesses
The Far North region has a Gross Regional Product of approximately $3.2 billion, and supports 14,693 local jobs. The region's top five industries by number of people employed are mining, healthcare & social assistance, public administration & safety, construction, and education & training.
The mining industry is the backbone of the Far North’s economy, supporting almost four times as many jobs as the region’s second-largest employment sector. This is largely because the region is home to the majority of SA’s mineral deposits. The presence of tourist hotspots such as the Flinders Ranges and the outback mean that tourism is also a significant industry for the region.
Housing
The median house price for the largest town in the Far North region (Port Augusta) sits at $145,000, well below the state median of $485,000. However, median prices vary across the region.
The median rental price sits at $230 per week for a 3-bedroom home, which is also significantly below the state median of $395.
Events
Where: Flinders Ranges, SA
When: Annually, in March
What: The enormous salt lakes found in the South Australian outback provide the perfect surface for land speed racing, and Speed Week brings cars, motorbikes and trucks from all over to do just that. Those who make the trek out to the remote reaches of the Flinders Ranges can put the pedal to the metal and see just how fast their vehicles can go, all while enjoying the beautiful and unique surrounds.
Where: Coober Pedy, SA
When: Annually, in June
What: This annual event is the highlight of the Coober Pedy community events calendar, and draws visitors from across Australia. The festival is dedicated to the opal, and the crucial role that the gem plays in sustaining the economy of the local community. There are a host of activities on offer, including markets, live entertainment and fireworks, and of course there is excellent local food and drink available.
Where: Marree, Flinders Ranges, SA
When: Annually in July
What: Marree was once home to the legendary Afghan cameleers of outback Australia, and camels still play a significant role in the region. During the annual camel races, visitors are invited to enjoy the thrilling environment of race day, listen to great live music, engage with Afghan culture through descendants of the cameleers, and even take a camel ride themselves.
Additional Information
Far North has 5 subregions. Use the list below or the map above to learn more about individual subregions.
Far North Schools
- Government Schools
- Independent Schools
Combined
- Amata Anangu School AMATA SA 5710
- Carlton School PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700
- Coober Pedy Area School COOBER PEDY SA 5723
- Ernabella Anangu School GHAN SA 872
- Fregon Anangu School FREGON SA 872
- Hawker Area School HAWKER SA 5434
- Indulkana Anangu School INDULKANA SA 872
- Kenmore Park Anangu School KENMORE PARK SA 872
- Mimili Anangu School MIMILI SA 872
- Mintabie Area School MINTABIE SA 5724
- Murputja Anangu School MURPUTJA SA 872
- Open Access College - Port Augusta School of the Air Campus PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700
- Pipalyatjara Anangu School PIPALYATJARA SA 872
- Quorn Area School QUORN SA 5433
- Roxby Downs Area School ROXBY DOWNS SA 5725
- Watarru Anangu School PIPALYATJARA SA 872
- Woomera Area School WOOMERA SA 5720
Primary
- Andamooka Primary School ANDAMOOKA SA 5722
- Augusta Park Primary School PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700
- Flinders View Primary School PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700
- Port Augusta West Primary School PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700
- Stirling North Primary School STIRLING NORTH SA 5710
- Willsden Primary School PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700
- Wilmington Primary School WILMINGTON SA 5485
Secondary
- Port Augusta Secondary School PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700
Special
- Port Augusta Special School PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700
Combined
- Caritas College PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700
- Seaview Christian College PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700
- St Barbara's Parish School ROXBY DOWNS SA 5725
Far North Housing
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Houses in Far North
The price of a house in Far North ranges from around $222,000 to $680,000.
A typical house in has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & parking for 6 cars.
Far North Census Information
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Dwelling Type
What types of residential properties are available in Far North?
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP -
Tenure Type
Which residential properties in Far North are owned, mortgaged or rented out?
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP -
Change in Residence
Did people in Far North change address in the last year?
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP -
Working Population
What age groups are most strongly represented in Far North?
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP -
Top 5 Industries
What industries do people in Far North work in?
- Mining
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration and safety
- Education and training
- Retail trade
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP -
Family Size
How many people live in a household in Far North?
Source: ABS 2016 Census GCP
What's happening in Far North
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Properties in Far North
- For Sale