Hoot hoot… Winda The Owl Has Landed in Port Wakefield
Port Wakefield has always been the ideal stop for travellers to fill up with fuel and grab themselves a tasty pastry from Kipling’s Bakery.
But a new addition to the line up on Augusta Highway has flown into town, and it’s not just there for decoration.
The sculpture, known as Winda the Owl in Port Wakefield, is part of a $2.8 million push to get people off the Augusta Highway and into the little seaside town, that packs a punch with its history and charm.
More Reason To Pull Over
Besides the addition of our feathered friend, proudly perched at the corner of Edward Street and Augusta Highway, Port Wakefield’s “Cultural Connection” project has rolled out a stack of upgrades, creating more reason for visitors to stop and wander.
Edward Street has had a major facelift, helping shape a proper town centre for the first time. The tidal pool is getting some long-overdue love, including dredging works, and a new footbridge is also on the cards. All of it’s tied together with an Indigenous Art Trail that starts with Winda.
Mayor Rodney Reid said the projects are about more than just looks.
“These projects respond directly to what the community told us they wanted, while also positioning Port Wakefield as a place people want to stop, explore and experience,” he said.
Why Winda The Owl in Port Wakefield?
There’s more to Winda the Owl in Port Wakefield than meets the eye. This striking piece draws on a Narungga dreaming story from the cliffs north of Ardrossan, visible across the gulf from Port Wakefield. It’s been brought to life by artists Harley Hall and Mike McInerney, who’ve worked on major projects across the state.
And if you look closely, there’s a fair bit of local history weaved into it.
The copper beak tips its hat to Burra’s mining past. The feathers, made from old windmill blades, are a nod to the region’s farming background. The eyes have a headlight feel, a quiet link to Port Wakefield’s motorsport days, including the 1955 Australian Grand Prix and the legacy of Possum Kipling.
Even the feet have a story, shaped like excavator buckets, a reminder of the town’s working port roots.
“Winda brings together Narungga culture and Port Wakefield’s working history in a way that is striking, meaningful and uniquely local,” Mayor Reid said.
A Town Worth Exploring
Wakefield Regional Council has chipped in $700,000, with the rest coming from state and federal funding, to pull the whole thing together.
The goal is pretty simple – give people a reason to stop, stretch their legs, and spend a bit of time and money in town.
And with more sculptures and a mural planned for the former CFS station along Edward Street, Winda is just the start of a growing art trail through the heart of town.
See the full project details here
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