WHYALLA After the delightful Cowell a quick drive without towns, but some mines, we arrive at downtown Whyalla. South Australia’s Newcastle. The traveler then will quickly determine the heart of retail action has deserted this cbd. The downtown is somewhat soulless and that is a shame; no information, no churches, no museums, no memorials and no reason to visit. The view from the lookout is also a naked place. The view is nice but devoid of info and a reason to stay. Port Hedland in WA and Gladstone in Qld are replica mining ports as examples on not how to become a poor cbd. Whyalla was founded as Hummock's Hill in 1901 by BHP the mining company as the end of a tramway bringing ore from the Middleback Ranges. A jetty was built to transfer the ore. The settlement consisted of small cottages and tents clustered around the base of the hill. The Post Office opened in 1901 as Hummock's Hill and was renamed Whyalla on November 1, 1919. There is no record on why the name Whyalla was accorded. On 16 April 1920 the town was proclaimed as Whyalla. The BHP long products division in 2000 to formed One Steel which is the prime producer of rail and steel products in Australia. The Marine Museum is worth a look. The heritage Museum is located in the western suburbs. The history of Whyalla is portrayed mural style on a wall of cbd a building near the pubs The War Memorial could not be stumbled across. The Churches are in the western suburbs. The downtown hotels have character. The views from Hummock Hill are worth a look and the sea vistas and foreshore are really nice. Need to visit??  Yes, but only as a pass through.