The magnificent coastal stretch of the Eyre Peninsula has it
all. Located south of Port Augusta, incorporating Wyalla
and Port Lincoln right through to the Nullabor Plain, there
is such a diversity of scenery, attractions and natural
beauty in one region. With the capacity to fulfil all
expectations of the car hire traveler, it is certainly
worth the journey to visit.
You can expect to visit areas of the coast that seem
completely untouched, without another person in sight.
There are often whale sightings up and down the coastline,
and Baird Bay is the best spot to see the dolphins and sea
lions.
For the more adventurous, the great Nullabor Plain offers
incredible campsites rewarding you with incredible starlit
skies and magical panoramic vistas. Further on, the Gawler
Ranges are just as wild, with salt lakes dominating the
landscape and red and grey kangaroo frequently sighted.
The climate in the South is mild and welcoming, with summers
under 30C and winters down to 15C. 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.
Travelling is so much fun when you have great places to
sleep, with the sound of waves lapping the shore. There
are an abundance of excellent accommodation and camping
facilities in this region, a few located at some of South
Australia’s best kept secrets.
The Waterloo Bay Tourist Park is one of the prettiest places
to visit on the west coast of South Australia, and located
at Elliston right next to the bay. 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 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.
Stay a night at Port Lincoln, where you can wander down to
the beach or explore the area and its beautiful surroundings.
The deep blue water is mesmerising, protected by Boston
Island, making it a safe place for swimmers and boaters.
Port Lincoln is seen as the capital of the Eyre Peninsula,
with plenty of great attractions such as its Maritime Museum
and Winery.
If you have some time, head north to Tumby Bay which 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 an
awesome place to relax for a few days, enjoy long walks,
fossick for shells, snorkel or just snooze in a hammock
and forget about everything else.
Whyalla is South Australia’s third largest city, and is
often great as a base to visit the surrounding coast. The
Whyalla Maritime Museum is fantastic for an afternoon to
learn more about the history of the area. Not far from
here is a fascinating mining museum at Iron Knob.
There are also plenty of pretty bays in this area to drive to, one of
the most protected being Coffin Bay, which has incredible
scenery along the coastline.
Keen for a day of fishing? Head to Cowell to relax in the
sunshine hopefully reeling in some good catches, and finish
off the day discovering 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 and breathtaking. Visiting here you
feel like you are being treated to a smorgasbord of
treasures, almost too good to dive into. Even if you drive
up and down the coastline, you will be treated to incredible
panoramic views, perfect for those holiday moments that keep
you coming back again and again.
Jenny Brewer 2007
