GENERATIONAL EXPERIENCE: Sharon Spikin, Josephine Dahlin, Levi Reschke, Erin Reschke and tour guide Rod Masters on the steelworks tour.

It’s never too late to explore your own backyard as Erin Reschke and her family found out this week.

Erin and her seven-year-old son Levi were joined by Erin’s mum Sharon Spikin and her mum Josephine Dahlin (Erin’s grandmother and Levi’s great grandmother) as they did a tour of the Whyalla Steelworks. It was four generations of Whyalla-born locals doing the official tour of the city’s major industry for the first time.

“We were all born here in Whyalla so it was an amazing experience and very special to do it as a family,” Erin said.

Tour guide Rod Masters took the group around the steelworks on one of the regular tours conducted from the Whyalla Visitor and Information Centre on the highway (next to the big ship). Erin works for the City of Whyalla in the records department.

“Rod was very knowledgeable and made the tour so interesting,” Erin said.

“So interesting, in fact, that Levi hardly spoke a word as he just listened intently and looked at everything.

“Sometimes we don’t take advantage of things on our doorstep and a tour of the steelworks is a prime example.

“I’d encourage anyone, local, tourist or locals hosting visitors to put this tour on your list.”

On the steelworks tour, you will learn the stories and see behind the scenes of more than 100 years of significant Australian iron and steelmaking history.

SPECTACULAR: The steelworks tours can provide many amazing sights.

Depending on production and maintenance schedules you will get to see different parts of the process operating around the 1000 hectare site. Your tour will take you past the blast furnace, coke ovens, reed beds, steelmaking and casting plant and the rolling mills, where structural steel, rail line and steel railway sleeper sections are made.

Steelworks site tours are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday @ 9.30am except for Public Holidays. Bookings Essential.

Tours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am (approx 1.5hrs) excluding Public Holidays. Tours are conducted by the Whyalla Visitor Information Centre under agreement with the Whyalla Steelworks.

Location: Tours leave from the Whyalla Visitor Information Centre; Lincoln Highway.

Bookings / Enquiries: Ph. (08) 8645 7900 or toll free 1800 088 589. The Visitor Information Centre is Open Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm, Weekends and Public Holidays 10am-4pm. Closed only on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Cost: Adults $25; Concession $21.00; Children $15.00; Family (2 adults & 2 children) $65.00. Bookings Essential.