Scott22

The council must have been so lazy in naming these suburbs. Just to maximise confusion; there are the following:

Salisbury
Salisbury Downs
Salisbury East
Salisbury Park
Salisbury Heights
Salisbury Plain
Salisbury South
Salisbury North

I guess because the area is generally quite flat (maybe except for 'Heights'!), and the terrain also similar, these suburbs didn't qualify for their own little names?

Anyway, in my opinion Salisbury Heights and Salisbury Park are probably the "poshest" of the Salisburys. The other ones are much of a muchness, really - not a lot that distinguishes them.

So why is Salisbury Park one of the nicer ones? Drive around all of the Salisburys and make up your own mind. But to me, Salisbury Park is noticeably greener (more parks, more tree-lined streets), and people's houses seem better maintained and looked after. Some gardens are actually manicured quite beautifully. The streets seem to have a better sense of community, too. Also, less skid marks / doughnut marks on the streets (another sign, in my opinion!).

I suppose this is why house prices and rents are a bit higher in Salisbury Park than say Salisbury North or Plain. Also, Salisbury Park is right next to Salisbury Heights which might be why.

This suburb strikes a balance of all of the good things many would be looking for in a nice suburb to live:

- Is very close to the CBD (of Ballarat Central - with the v-line fast train to Melbourne from there, which can get you to Melbourne CBD in just over an hour on a good day!)

- Has heritage charm with beautiful old houses. Once upon a time Ballarat East's old houses were mostly looking worse-for-wear. These days, it seems like every second or third house is getting the complete makeover and restoration of former heritage glory under all that dirt! The streetscapes have changed as a result and there are increasingly more and more beautiful streets in Ballarat East!

- Good bus links, local/corner shops, and a few little cafes here and there, plus easy access to good schools in Ballarat East, North, and Central areas

- Not too far a drive from the big and new shopping/cinema complex at Delacombe

- Suburb is mostly leafy and has a nice feel to it, walkable to town

- Still affordable! This is a big one considering its close location to town. Rents and property prices are still reasonable, and I've heard of several people who have left Melbourne's suburbs where houses can be $800K+, for a house less than half the cost on a bigger block in a quiet street of Ballarat East. If your Melbourne job allows you to work from home even a couple of days a week; Ballarat's commute for the remaining days really doesn't take that long

- Some people are a bit grungy/dodgy (but you'll get this anywhere!), but most people I've met are lovely. There is a community spirit to parts/streets of the suburb

All in all I think this is a suburb on the up and up.

Port Augusta has had a turbulent time over the last five years or so. It's economy was once driven by a (now shut down) Coal power station. And for a time, it seemed like the town ran the risk of dying alongside this plant's operational death.

But some interesting things started happening about two years ago; and the town is really enjoying the beginnings of a turnaround or recovery. The Thermal Solar plant nearby (about a 15 minute drive out of town) is really the way of the future for energy production and will have a big role to play. Whilst it won't leave many 'permanent' jobs once construction is fully done, as the biggest Thermal Solar tower in the world (and tallest building in the state!) it will attract tourists and those passing through the town (Port Augusta gets a lot of drivers as it is the stop-off point for people driving/touring Darwin-Adelaide, and Sydney-Perth).

The overland trains should stop for more than just 10 minutes in the town! It would be a tourism boom to the town if these tourist trains did a half-day or full-day in Port Augusta to allow people to explore the Arid Lands Gardens, or the Thermal Solar installation.

Also, the Flinders Ranges is a site to be seen and can be done in a big day-trip (about a 2hr 10 minute drive from Port Augusta). If you are ever in town, pack a nice picnic lunch, lots of water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes, and walk some of the trails of this stunning area!

Also, Sundrop Farms is a big employer now (and rumors are that this operation will only grow), just 12km south of the town. For good or for bad; the Prison also creates a lot of jobs (South Australia have decentralised the state's prison system somewhat; sending inmates from Adelaide to regional prisons such as Port Augusta).

In terms of living in Port Augusta, as others have said, the climate can get quite hot. A/C is a must, and look for a house with good shaded outdoor areas - you'll need it as the sun burns fiercely in Port Augusta. The town has all of the basic amenities one could need, and the riverside is a nice spot to do exercise and relax/cook bbq's on weekends.

It is not right to call this place 'a hole'. It is recovering and the cost of living is super-affordable which helps with this. Yes, there have been a lot of shops empty and high unemployment due to the Coal closure, but as time goes on, this is proving to turnaround as new jobs are created to replace lost ones.

All Port Augusta needs now is another big project or two (hello, Olympic Dam). Ideally another solar-type energy system or a big smart-agriculture farming facility like Sundrop. Also, I think tourism will pick up. Some folks drive straight through when on their way to Port Lincoln for shark-diving etc., but increasingly people are stopping in PA for lunch and stuff on their way, and hanging around. Sometimes all I think this town needs is a giant billboard on the motorway approaching it, that lists all the things you can do in a day in Port Augusta. People honestly simply don't know what is in and around this town! If they knew, they'd be more inclined to stop and do activities (and spend a little money in town while they are at it!).

Great suburb - very quiet, peaceful, and friendly.
Lived here for six years now, feel very safe. Close to Ashfield Amenities too.