Port Hughes is a small coastal town in the Copper Coast region of South Australia on Northern Yorke Peninsula. It is considered a satellite town of Moonta which is located directly to the east of Port Hughes.[according to whom?] At the 2006 census, Port Hughes had a population of 222.
Tourism
Port Hughes is a popular tourist destination, with attractions including a Greg Norman-designed links style golf course, the beach and the jetty. Boating is facilitated by the availability of a boat ramp. The beach is regarded as safe for swimming, which attracts families going on vacation. Fishing is a popular pastime. Fishing takes place on the jetty which is also a popular scuba diving site. Also, boats are available for charter to go fishing. Tourists are catered for with accommodation at the caravan park, which features onsite cabins and villas. There is also a general store and tavern.
History
The government town of Port Hughes was surveyed in April 1863 and named after Sir Watson Hughes. The boundary of the town was extended in April 1960 and again in October 1985. Boundaries were created for the locality now known as Port Hughes in January 1999 which include the full extent of the former government town. The locality was enlarged in July 2008 by the addition of land from the adjoining locality of Moonta Bay.
In recent years, Port Hughes has been the subject of significant interest from land developers, with several land subdivisions in the local area. The most significant recent developments are the Patrick's Cove and Patrick's View land subdivisions, which have resulted in new housing being constructed and an influx of new residents.
In June 2007, "The Dunes Port Hughes", a major new residential development was announced, including the construction of the first Greg Norman designed golf course in Australia, as well as a hotel and convention facility, as part of a major housing development. On 11 July 2012 Ferrier Hodgson partners David Kidman and Martin Lewis were appointed as receivers and managers to sell the remaining allotments and development properties.
Governance
Port Hughes is located within the federal Division of Grey, the state electoral district of Goyder and the local government area known as the District Council of the Copper Coast.