Whyalla is an important hub, providing a range of retail, specialist health and medical, education, sporting, aged care, emergency and commercial services for the far western region of the state. The Whyalla Airport is one of the largest regional airports in South Australia and is the only airport in the Upper Spencer Gulf which provides scheduled commercial airline services.

The steelworks industry represents the city’s main economic activity. The Whyalla Steelworks, owned by GFG Alliance, is a fully integrated operation, starting with the mining of raw materials and ending with the distribution of finished steel products.

The Whyalla Port is operated by GFG Alliance and handles the import and export of a variety of commodities, mining consumables and equipment. It is one of the most competitive ports in the region and provides a strong industrial gateway for South Australia.

Tourism is also an important industry for Whyalla with unique nature-based experiences, including the Australian National Heritage listed Cuttlefish Coast Sanctuary Zone.

Port Augusta offers a welcoming waterfront lifestyle at the gateway to Australia’s iconic Outback, Flinders Ranges and mineral resources industry, making it the top choice for lifestyle, tourism and business investment.

Port Augusta is a growing service centre for the Outback regions of South Australia. It is known as the ‘crossroads of Australia’, due to its strategic position at the junction of 3 major Australian highways, and 2 railway lines.

The city has a strong history in the electricity generation industry. Following the closure of its coal-fired power station in 2016, several renewable energy projects have been developed in the area, including the Bungala Solar farm – one of Australia’s largest solar farms.

The city also supports regional agriculture, and services many mines in the South Australian interior, to its north.

Set against a dramatic backdrop of the southern Flinders Ranges on the shores of Spencer Gulf, Port Pirie is the largest city and the main retail centre of the Mid North region of South Australia.

Located less than 3 hours’ drive from Adelaide, this historic seaport town is home to beautiful heritage buildings, fascinating industrial history and a blossoming cultural precinct.

The city's economy is dominated by one of the world's largest advanced multi-metal smelters, operated by Nyrstar. Along with lead, it produces refined silver, copper, gold, tellurium and various other by-products such as sulphuric acid. Nyrstar has identified the potential to process additional critical minerals.

Port Pirie’s port is currently the second busiest port in South Australia for the transport of grain, fertiliser, metal ores and concentrates.