Self-Drive Journey in the Eyre Peninsula, Australia

The Eyre Peninsula covers a vast area stretching 1,000 kilometres from the Western Australian border to the city of Whyalla, and 400 kilometres from the Gawler Ranges in the north to Port Lincoln in the south.

It is the perfect area for a road trip, but before setting out, make sure that you download the handy 4x4 Driving and Repeater Towers brochure. This important component contains detailed information on outback routes, four-wheel-driving safety, radio etiquette, notes from pastoralists and more.

You should also remember that some petrol stations have limited opening hours, and one should always carry sufficient water and spare parts, just in case.

The Journey

From Adelaide head to Port Augusta, passing through Crystal Brook and Port Pirie, home to the world's largest lead smelter. There are excellent facilities in the town and it's a good spot to stock up on supplies. From Port Augusta make your way to Whyalla, the gateway to the Eyre Peninsula. Settled in 1901, Whyalla enjoys around 300 days of sunshine each year so it's the perfect spot for enjoying the great outdoors. From Whyalla travel to Cowell. There's a burgeoning oyster farming industry in the town, and also home to one of the largest jade deposits in the world.

Continue to drive along the coast to Tumby Bay, a seaside town complete with white, sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. Just off the coast lie the Sir Joseph Banks Group of Islands - a marine conservation park that's home to sea lions, dolphins and abundant birdlife.

Recreational Fishing

If you like fishing, bring your personal rod or rent one, as your next stop is Port Lincoln. With a harbour three times the size of Sydney, Port Lincoln is definitely a water-based destination. For a thrill of a lifetime, sign up with Adventure Bay Charters. This multi-award winning tourism business offers some of South Australia’s best water-based wildlife encounters, including the swimming with the Southern Bluefin Tuna.

Love Oysters?

From Port Lincoln head to Coffin Bay, another oyster growing area. Take the scenic Oyster Walk which winds its way for eight kilometres along the foreshore, through natural bush land and to a lookout. A suggestion is to join the Coffin Bay Explorer Tour for an unforgettable half-day journey to the most pristine environment. The tour gives you an insight into the lives of the farmers of the vibrant oyster industry. You get to visit the farms where most premium produce is sourced. The tour also features boat cruises along the raw rugged coastline. Explore deserted beaches and bays, watch pods of dolphins, and sea lions and fur seals sleep the day away on rugged islands.

Bay Watch

Next stop is Baird Bay. Here you can take a tour that includes swimming with sea lions and dolphins. It's an unforgettable experience. Baird Bay, sitting on the Eyre Peninsula, offers accommodation ranging from up market resort style eco villas, holiday shacks and a budget camping ground.

Seafood Trail

While you're visiting the Eyre Peninsula, why not follow one of Australia's first Seafood and Aquaculture Trails. The trail brings together seafood, dining and aquaculture experiences to help you chart the journey of our delicious seafood from the sea to restaurant plates. This protected bay is fast becoming a 'must do' holiday experience for travellers. There are safe swimming beaches, boating and fishing - and anglers are rarely disappointed, with handy launching facilities guaranteed to lead to a good day's fishing.

Coastal Resort

Drop by Streaky Bay, a picturesque coastal resort, which acts as a service centre for the surrounding rural community. Accommodation is provided by way of a budget motel, hotel/motel, holiday flats, bed and breakfast and Caravan Park at Streaky Bay. Excellent shopping and dining-out facilities. One must-do is to make a date at Mocean Cafe Restaurant. Specialising in quality local seafood, this is the perfect coffee stop with absolute waterfront dining. Dishes include fresh mussels tossed in lemon myrtle fettuccine and a classic Caesar given an aquatic kick with the addition of Venus Bay prawns. Simply succulent! At Streaky Bay, visitors can also join an Oyster Shed Tour. It includes a demonstration of a fully automated grading system. You can see the oyster punt and learn about the life-cycle of oysters. Of course, you also get to sample a Streaky Bay oyster.

Plain Fun

Your final destination is one of Australia's ultimate wildlife experiences. So make sure you don’t fly over the Nullarbor Plain or you will miss out on the real Australia. Tour this vast stretch of land and experience some of the world’s top wildlife. You'll find caves here too, some extremely large with several kilometres of passages. Some caves have been approved for public use, namely Murrawijinie Caves north of the Nullarbor roadhouse. Nullarbor National Park and Regional Reserve protects the world's largest semi-arid cave landscapes, which are associated with many Aboriginal cultural sites. It's 300 kilometres west of Ceduna.

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