 Visit the Eyre Peninsula of SA
Far from the madding crowd, Eyre Peninsula promises the ultimate escape from the stresses of modern day living.
Within a comfortable day's drive west of Adelaide or an hour's scenic flight across the Gulfs of Spencer and St Vincent lands your in the midst of a land renowned for both its tranquillity and choice of holiday activities.
The locals promote the region as AUSTRALIA'S BEST DETOUR, as the trans continental traveller can experience the spectacular coastal scenery of Eyre Peninsula by adding just 280km or one day to their itinerary. The detour is picked south of Port Augusta for those travelling from the east or just east of Ceduna for visitors crossing the Nullarbor from the west.
The region's coastline stretches 2000km from Whyalla to the Western Australia border with sheltered sandy bays and sheer cliffs wrapped in spray from the Southern Ocean, bounded by the Gawler Ranges in the north and Memory Cove 400km to the south.
The Spencer Gulf borders the eastern edge of the Peninsula along which are located a number of small coastal towns featuring sheltered waters, safe swimming, white sandy beaches and excellent fishing from either shore or boat.
At the southern tip of the Peninsula you can explore the offshore islands of Thorny Passage, surf at Cactus Beach or go bareboat sailing around the islands.
In stark contrast to the sheltered waters of Spencer Gulf, the west coast is exposed to the full force of the Southern Ocean, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery to be found anywhere in Australia. This rugged coast is punctuated by a number of bays and inlets and resort towns have grown where shelter can be found from precipitous cliffs and pounding surf.
Coastal parks offer a wide range of scenery, flora and fauna, while the Gawler Ranges to the far north attract bushwalkers to scale the ancient granite rocks and to view the parade of colourful wildlife.
For many, the scale and variety of fishing pursuits is worth the trip alone. Seafood naturally features high on the menu and Eyre Peninsula is the seafood capital of South Australia.
Eyre Peninsula has been tailor made for you to get away from the daily grind and go fishing for the catch of your life, sightseeing along scenic coastline, visiting historic attractions, camping in the wilderness, shutterbugging in a national park or experiencing one of the many and varied attractions the region has to offer.
Some areas of special interest include Coffin Bay, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and Whyalla. Well worth investigating.
National Parks of the Eyre Peninsula
The Eyre Peninsula offers a laid back, tranquil atmosphere and gentle mediterranean climate, just perfect for activities such as camping, walking, fishing and swimming. You can enjoy the 2000 kilometres of spectacular coastline including towering limestone cliffs, sweeping surf beaches and sheltered coves and bays, or the inland beauty of rolling hills and farmlands, remarkable rocks and rugged ranges. Being home to the Great Australian Bight, they Eyre Peninsula also provides plenty of entertainment each winter with Southern Right Whales venturing there to mate and give birth. Purpose-built viewing platforms near the area provide spectacular views. If you enjoy scenic drives, head inland and see the spectacular Gawler Ranges and the vast expanse of the Nullarbor Plains.
 Coffin Bay National Park
Coffin Bay National Park is 50km west of Port Lincoln. It has magnificent beaches, towering sand dunes and sheltered bays. The park is considered to be one of the most beautiful estuaries in Australia, with vast expanses of meandering waterways, bays, channels and inlets. Its an area that is ideally suited to all types of fishing, boating, sailing, swimming, water skiing, diving and windsurfing. Plant-life is plentiful at the park with tea-tree woodlands a feature on the Coffin Bay Peninsula.
Gawler Ranges National Park
Moving right away from the coastal area of the Eyre Peninsula you have the Gawler Ranges National Park. This national park is located in the spectacular southern rangers of the Gawler Ranges and is 300km west of Port Augusta. This part boasts vast hills and gullies, rocky gorges and seasonal water flows. Together this creates a stunning landscape of natural beauty. Being a corridor between the Eyre Peninsula mallee country and the drier arid zone to the north of the ranges, plants and animals from both zones can be seen in this area. You may witness a Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Sandhill Nunnart, Malleefowl, Major Mitchell Cockatoo, Crimson Mallee, Honey Myrtle or Mallee box. You may even catch a glimpse of the many rock dwelling reptiles and those that live in the spinifex.
Lake Newland Conservation Park
Lake Newland Conservation Park is located 200km north west of Port Lincoln. A natural saline lake twenty kilometres long offers you an excellent opportunity of observing the many species of waterfowl and wading birds than live in the wetlands. To access the lake you will need a four wheel drive but anyone can access the beach and fishing areas of the park by conventional vehicle.
Lincoln National Park
The only sounds you will hear at Lincoln National Park are the ocean's waves crashing and the local bird songs. Lincoln National Park is located 25km south of Port Lincoln. Whilst in this park you will enjoy spectacular ocean views, sandy beaches and camping in sheltered camp sites. You will be able to swim and fish, go boating and canoeing, scuba diving and snorkelling. Or just walking along the many trails. You will especially enjoy Memory Cove Wilderness Area, a vast expanse of coastal malle with outcropping granite and stunning ocean coastline. Memory Cove Wilderness Area has a variety of lookouts and walking trails which provide views of Cape Catastrophe, Thistle Island, Williams Island and the bay. You may even glimpse a White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Australian Sea-lions and dolphins. There is a chance you may even see whales in the area.
Nullarbor National Park and Regional Reserve
At the head of the Great Australian Bight, and some 300 km west of Ceduna is the Nullarbor National Park. It protects the worlds largest semi-arid cave landscapes and a number of Aboriginal cultural sites. This area consists largely of bluebrush and saltbush, except where some sections reveal underground caverns as a result of the surface collapsing in and forming sinkholes. The largest population of the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat calls this area home. Other rare and endangered species include the Nullarbor Quailthrush, Major Mitchell Cockatoo, the Australian Sea-lion and Peregrine Falcon. You must see the 'Bunda Cliffs' where the flat plains of the Nullarbor meet the Southern Ocean. It is considered the most attractive feature of the Nullarbor because of spectacular views of the unique coastline where you may see Southern Right Whales coming in to breed during winter.
The Great Australian Bight Marine Park
This park is located 300km west of Ceduna. It is a wonderful place to see the migrating Southern Right Whales during winter. You can also see the Australian Sea-lions that breed in colonies at the base of the Bunda Cliffs. This marine park was established to protect significant habitat for a diverse range of marine species while allowing for ecologically sustainable use of marine resources. A cliff top platform at the head of the Bight will give you an excellent view of whales in the waters below.
For more information regarding South Australia's National Parks and Conservation Parks please visit SA National Parks and Wildlife Service.
This information was compiled with the help of resources available from South Australia Tourism. Please visit their website at www.southaustralia.com for a more detailed rundown of this exciting region and others.
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