5 Reasons to plan an Eyre Peninsula tour

If you’re looking to escape the crowds on your trip to Australia, the Eyre Peninsula offers endless white sand beaches, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters, true Aussie outback experiences, and world class local cuisine. Even better, you won’t have to cover huge distances between destinations, making it a great area for a laid-back road trip.

Another benefit of touring a more contained area of the country, is that you can choose from a variety of ways to travel. We can arrange a road trip for you with car hire and hotels in all the key destinations, or you can hire a campervan and live the nomad life for a week or so.

Alternatively, we can create a completely tailor-made itinerary with our local partner in Australia, including transfers, accommodation, and private guided tours. If you would prefer to stay in one base, we’ll find a lovely hotel for a few days, and you can take various day tours from there. This way, you can unpack, relax, and look forward to exploring this captivating region. 

Here are five reasons to add the Eyre Peninsula to your Australia itinerary and explore this extraordinary region:

1. Untouched Natural Beauty

The Eyre Peninsula is an untouched wilderness, with steep cliffs plunging into the sparkling azure waters of the Great Australian Bight and pristine white sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. Just inland, you’ll find towering sand dunes and stunning coastal landscapes. 

From the breathtaking beaches of Coffin Bay National Park to the awe-inspiring views at the Head of Bight, this region offers a visual feast for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike.

The Eyre Peninsula boasts some of Australia’s best beaches. The best thing about them? Whilst everyone else is enjoying Bondi, the Gold Coast, and Whitehaven, you’ll be one of the few people chilling out on the pristine white sand and radiant waters of these little-known gems. You’ll often have a huge swathe of beach all to yourself. 

Greenly Beach is a popular swimming spot, but it’s also good for keen surfers with some decent waves. The large rock pools that form on either side of the beach, filled with calm, crystal waters are just dreamy. Coffin Bay National Park is also home to some of the region’s best beaches, from Almonta Beach to Seven Mile Beach, which stretches along the coast for seven perfect miles.

2. Exciting wildlife encounters

If you're an animal lover, the Eyre Peninsula will have you at ‘hello’. Home to an abundance of marine life, it's a natural playground for encounters with sea lions, dolphins, and even Great White sharks. 

Take an unforgettable swim with wild sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park or try a thrilling shark cage diving adventure off the Neptune Islands. And let's not forget the adorable koalas, emus, and kangaroos that you’ll stumble upon while you explore the numerous national parks and wildlife reserves.

Between June and October, you can’t miss a whale-watching trip from beautiful Fowler’s Bay. During these months, huge numbers of Southern Right whales migrate through the area. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can kayak out to see them. 

Alternatively, you can make your way Head of Bight, where you’ll have extraordinary views of the migration as it passes. With boardwalks, wheelchair access, viewing platforms, and multiple picnic areas, it’s a great option for families and multi-generational travellers.

From the giant by nature to the giant by name, you can snorkel or dive with giant cuttlefish on the Eyre Peninsula. Between May and August, you can spot these colour-changing molluscs around Whyalla and Point Lowly. There is even an annual “Cuttlefest” in Whyalla, which celebrates all things cuttlefish!

Home to a variety of landscapes and habitats, the Eyre Peninsula is also a bird-watcher’s dream. There are over 270 bird species to spot in the area, including oystercatchers, white-bellied sea eagles, and Port Lincoln parrots. 

And, of course, you wouldn’t be in Australia without the opportunity to spot kangaroos, wombats, koalas and emus in many of the peninsula’s parks, clifftops, and shrubland.

3. Epic road trip territory

If you’re after an unforgettable journey, you can visit the Eyre Peninsula as part of a road trip across the Nullarbor Plain between South Australia and Western Australia. It’s easily one of the world’s most epic drives. 

Spanning over 1,200 kilometres, the Nullarbor is a place ruled by the natural kingdom, with jaw-dropping landscapes, unique wildlife, and untouched beauty.

Nullarbor means ‘no trees’ in Latin, and you’ll quickly understand why. This arid near-treeless plain is located on the Great Australian Bight coast, alongside cliffs that tower over the crashing Southern Ocean. To this north, it gives way to Great Victorian Desert. 

Landscapes simply don’t get more dramatic than this and you can read all about my own experience of Crossing the Nullarbor Plain here.

4. Culinary delights

When it comes to local cuisine, the Eyre Peninsula doesn't disappoint. As one of Australia's seafood hotspots, the region offers a smorgasbord of lip-smacking dishes that will tantalise your taste buds. More than 65% of Australia’s seafood comes from this area and the quality is second to none. 

Port Lincoln is the perfect starting point for your seafood adventure. Famed for its Bluefin Tuna and home to an abundance of restaurants and cafes, it’s a lovely waterfront town to explore.

Try oysters freshly plucked from the sea, tuck into succulent seafood platters, and set off on local tours that showcase the region's edible treasures. From tuna to cockles and lobsters to yabbies, this is a true seafood lovers paradise. 

Often believed to be home to the world’s best oysters, Coffin Bay is an essential destination to add to your Eyre Peninsula trip. During your stay here, you can book a tour to harvest your own oysters, plucked from the water and freshly shucked as the crystal-clear waters lap around your legs.

However, the Eyre Peninsula isn’t all about fancy seafood. As you drive up the West Coast, I highly recommend taking a detour to Colton Bakehouse, which offers sticky buns and loaves from its little roadside stall. It is known to sell out quickly, so get there early and pay using their honesty box. 

You don’t need to worry about your caffeine hit on the Eyre Peninsula, as you’re never far away from a great cup of coffee. There are two roasteries and dozens of coffee houses within the peninsula, making it easy to grab a delicious flat white in the morning before you head off for a day’s exploring.

In the evening, you can sample a glass of local wine, as there’s a lively emerging wine scene across the Eyre Peninsula. The vineyards here pride themselves on producing wines that pair perfectly with the local land and sea produce. Equally, there are a couple of artisan breweries in the area if you’d prefer a schooner with your seafood BBQ.

5. Outdoor adventures

For adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers, the Eyre Peninsula is a natural playground. Surf the world-class breaks at Cactus Beach, test your 4WD skills on rolling dunes, or feel the wind in your hair as you zip-line through the treetops. 

Whether you're a novice or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, there's something for everyone to get their heart racing.

Ready to explore the Eyre Peninsula?

The Eyre Peninsula is a destination that promises an extraordinary blend of natural beauty and exhilarating experiences. From awe-inspiring coastal landscapes to unforgettable wildlife encounters and culinary delights, this hidden gem in South Australia has it all.  

We’re experts in creating tailor-made Australia holidays that stand out from the crowd. To start planning your own brilliant adventure Down Under, simply give us a call on 1273 320 580 or send us a quote request by email.