Iron Knob is a small iron ore mining town on the Eyre Peninsula immediately south of the Eyre Highway

Located about 65 kilometres west of Port Augusta, Iron Knob used to be a thriving iron ore mining town until the mine was closed in 1999 leaving about 200 residents living amongst decaying buildings and vacant lots.

There are remnants of the glory days when there were several thousand folk calling Iron Knob home and one of them, the local conveniences have had a sparkling coat of paint to help draw the crowds.

I was halfway through a 750 kilometre drive to Port Lincoln when some Sturt Desert Pea caught my attention, but then as I was looking for the right angle, I spotted the toilet block behind the Melaleuca hedge.

With a chuckle in his voice a local who has lived in the town for many years tells the story of a busload of Japanese tourists who saw the art from the road and after taking copious photos, asked him where the public toilets were.

Obviously, our Aussie slang had not been explained to them.