Invest in the Far North

The Far North’s mining operations are critical to South Australia’s economic prosperity. South Australia is home to 82% of Australia’s uranium, 68% of its copper, and 26% of its gold deposits, with the vast majority of these resources located in the Far North region. The Far North hosts the world’s most richly endowed iron oxide-copper-gold ore province, which will be integral to the rapidly expanding electric vehicle and renewable energy industries. In addition, the region has vital deposits of high-quality magnetite iron ore, which will be critical to the State’s ambitions to be a global powerhouse in the emerging green steel industry.

As well as growth in commodity exports, increased investment is targeting value added processing – including refined copper cathode at Olympic Dam, and the use of magnetite iron ore in the production of green steel – which will ensure that we can retain an even greater level of economic, technological, and human capital within our region.

The resources industry involves big business, high tech operations, and enormous investment decisions. But our region is also home to an active minerals cottage industry, notably in Coober Pedy, the Opal Capital of the World.

Located at the heart of the S5 Renewable Energy Zone and in one of the sunniest places on earth, the region’s solar PV installations currently output a total of 580MW, with an additional 416MW generated from installed wind turbines. A range of plans are in the pipeline for significant investment into additional renewable electricity generation, as well as advanced energy storage solutions to provide stability to the state’s network.

At the intersection of South Australia’s high voltage power transmission network, Port Augusta in particular is strategically positioned to take advantage of the National Electricity Market. These advantages – combined with the proximity to magnetite resources and the Whyalla Steelworks, which has plans to tap into the emerging green steel market – mean that the Port Augusta region is a leading candidate for a hydrogen electrolyser facility to drive the state’s ambitions as a green hydrogen producer and exporter.

Located at the nation’s primary east-west and north-south road and rail junction, and servicing a region that spans some of Australia’s largest mines, vast pastoral country, and two critical defence test and training areas (in Woomera and Cultana), our region's largest city – Port Augusta – is perfectly positioned as one of Australia’s key logistics hubs.

Port Augusta hosts intermodal infrastructure and operations coordinating road, rail, and air. Serviced by the Spencer Rail Junction and National Highway A1, Port Augusta experiences up to 1,000 heavy vehicle and 110 rail movements per day. In addition, the city is host to a Code 3C capable airport, which hosts regional FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) services and tours. The airport is also home to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Central Operations, which services South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Sunraysia region of Victoria.

Reflecting confidence in the region, a redevelopment is underway to upgrade and reopen the Port Augusta seaport.

Stretching from the Spencer Gulf in the south to the South Australia’s northern border, the Far North region takes in some of the state’s most spectacular landscapes and frontier experiences. The peaks and gorges of the Flinders Ranges – Australia’s only destination on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 - provide a magnificent and contrasting backdrop to the iconic red dirt of Outback SA, with both settings offering visitors an off-the-beaten track experience unlike anywhere in the world.

The Far North region has attractions and experiences to suit visitors of all ages, interests, and abilities. Embark on a self-driving camping tour, stay at a family-friendly park or luxury resort, get a touch of nature (or glamp it up!) on an Outback Station, or travel the region in a pre-arranged coach or charter vacation. Whether you are looking for nature, adventure, relaxation, or you want to delve into our state’s cultural and ecological heritage, the Far North offers an experience you will never forget.

Our region’s unique landscapes regularly attract film and television productions, with major works (among many others) including Mad Max 3 and Red Planet filmed in Coober Pedy, The Water Diviner and Gallipoli filmed in Quorn, and the upcoming series Kaleb: Down Under.

Hard work and resilience has always defined our spirit, built on a backbone of pastoralism and resources in a context of extreme climate variability. The untamed setting has always attracted an industrious and creative population, and this is demonstrated in a dedicated voluntary sector, a vibrant cultural connection, and in our region’s tenacious and inspiring small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Public investment in streetscapes, water quality, transport networks, and telecommunications are levelling the city-country playing field and making remote living and working more sustainable, comfortable, vibrant, and competitive. Notably, Port Augusta is the only city located outside of Greater Adelaide that has National Broadband Network ‘Fibre to the Premises’ and fixed wireless.

Increasingly, a strong entrepreneurial culture has been transforming our towns, with cosmopolitan hospitality options in main streets and globally-connected, brand-savvy boutique enterprises making a big splash in export markets. Locally-passionate, established businesses are continually on the lookout for value-added expansion opportunities, supporting emerging local suppliers in the process.