The coastal stretch of the Eyre Peninsula is a magnificent piece of coastline that has it all. It is positioned south of Port Augusta, and incorporates Wyalla and Port Lincoln, all the way through to the Nullabor Plain. There is an incredible diversity of scenery, with attractions and natural beauty around every corner you travel.

The great thing about this part of the country is that many areas of the coastline seem almost completely untouched and there is rarely another person in sight. Whale sightings occur frequently here and Baird Bay is the best spot to see the dolphins and sea lions. For the more adventurous, the great Nullabor Plain offers incredible some campsites that will reward you with incredible starlit skies and magical panoramic vistas. If you venture further on, you will come across the Gawler Ranges, which are just as wild. Here, salt lakes dominate the landscape and red and grey kangaroos are frequently sighted.

The Eyre Peninsula enjoys a mild and welcoming climate, with moderately warm summers and pleasant winters. Further inland the temperatures are higher but on a whole the temperatures have a Mediterranean feel and are enjoyable any time of the year. There is plenty of rainfall June through to August, so come prepared or plan around it.

The great thing about travelling and holidaying along the Peninsula is that wherever you choose to stay, you will fall asleep to the sound of waves lapping the shore.

One of the prettiest places to visit would have to be The Waterloo Bay Tourist Park. It is located at Elliston, which is right next to the bay, and is one of the most picturesque destinations on the west coast of South Australia. It’s a great spot to set up and travel the coastline for a day or two, exploring the area on foot or on the road. The Ceduna Tourist Park is another hidden jewel, close to fantastic tourist islands known for fishing, snorkelling and excellent seafood. Perfect for water lovers, it is worth staying here even for a night.

Port Lincoln is seen as the capital of the Eyre Peninsula, with plenty of great attractions, including the Maritime Museum and Winery, to keep everyone happy. Tumby Bay is another great place to visit because it is known for its incredible underwater world, fishing and day cruises out to the islands alongside the bay. Geese are common in this area, adding to its uniqueness. It is a fantastic place to relax for a few days, enjoy long relaxing walks, fossick for shells, snorkel or just snooze in a hammock and forget about reality.

Whyalla is South Australia’s third largest city, and is another great place to base yourself while visiting the surrounding coast. The Whyalla Maritime Museum is fantastic for an afternoon of absorption of local history and will open your minds to many new experiences. Not far from here is a fascinating mining museum at Iron Knob.

The peninsula is also scattered with plenty of pretty bays. One of the most protected of these is Coffin Bay, which has incredible scenery along the coastline. Definitely one for the camera!

Keen for a day of fishing? Head out to Cowell to relax in the sunshine and hopefully reel in some good catches. A fantastic finish to the day would be to discover the beauty of the jade gemstone, prominent in this section of the coast. There are also superb fresh oysters available here, perfect for dinner.

The Eyre Peninsula has such an abundance of wildlife, beautiful beaches and bays, restaurants and places to stay. It is wild, diverse, unique and breathtaking. Visiting here you feel like you are being treated to a smorgasbord of treasures, almost too good to dive into.

Christine Barton