What is Whyalla known for?
Whyalla is a steelmaking city on Spencer Gulf in South Australia. It is also famous for the giant Australian cuttlefish, which gather off nearby Point Lowly each winter.
The city grew around iron ore mining in the Middle Back Ranges. A steelworks opened in the 1960s, and it is a major employer.
During the Second World War, Whyalla's shipyard built warships, including HMAS Whyalla, which is now displayed in the city.
Cuttlefish aggregation
From about May to August, thousands of giant Australian cuttlefish gather in shallow waters to breed. Snorkellers and divers come from around the world.
The cuttlefish change colours and patterns to attract mates.
Whyalla is about four hours from Adelaide.
The cuttlefish season has become an important part of the local economy, and the area near Point Lowly is protected from fishing during the breeding season. Whyalla also has long sandy beaches, a marina and a foreshore jetty popular for fishing. The city's Maritime Museum, built around HMAS Whyalla, tells the story of its shipbuilding past, and the Whyalla Conservation Park protects arid scrubland just outside town.
Did You Know?
The giant Australian cuttlefish can grow up to about 50 centimetres in body length.