Port Lincoln to Ceduna

Follow the scenic drive route from Port Lincoln at the southern tip of Eyre Peninsula, westward to Ceduna.

So popular and picturesque is Coffin Bay that its population of 430 swells to more than 2000 in summer. Holiday makers relish Coffin Bay's stunning array of channels and inlets and its charming small town setting. The town's unusual name honoured Matthew Flinders's friend Sir Isaac Coffin, although it also echoes the dozens of shipwrecks and drownings that occurred off the coast early in the region's history. 

Providing some of South Australia's best fishing and seafood, Coffin Bay's cultivated oysters are among the best in Australia.  Fishing boats can be hired and charter trips organised to game fishing areas. Views from the Coffin Bay lookout provide inspiration for the myriad of scenic drives on offer. 

Almonta Beach and rugged Avoid Bay, with their big dunes and pounding surf, are among the most interesting drives within Coffin Bay National Park.

Starting up the sweeping eastern side of the Great Australian Bight, Elliston is 154 kilometres from Coffin Bay on the shores of Waterloo Bay.  The bay itself is very sheltered and its clear aquamarine waters make for great diving and spearfishing.

Take a clifftop stroll and chances are you will stumble across some "clogs" or fossilised cocoons of 100,000-year-old weevils.

Surf among the dolphins at nearby Blackfellows surf break, and visit Talia Caves, 45 kilometres north of Elliston, an area of limestone caves, granite rock face, dunes and beaches.

Stop 24 kilometres on from Port Kenny at Murphy's Haystacks - ancient wind-worn pink granite slabs jutting from their grassy surrounds and thought to be 1500 million years old.

For the highlight of any trip to the Eyre Peninsula, drive to Baird Bay (130 kilometres from Elliston) to swim with the sea lions and dolphins.  Here you'll be submerged in clear shallow waters with sleek sea lions swimming around you.  Bard Bay Charters offer thrilling guided swims year round.

Streaky Bay is a local service centre and fishing is the key to the town's prosperity, with King George whiting, crayfish, abalone and shark prominent among the harvest. Matthew Flinders named the town after the bands of colour in the water, which he thought may have been caused by a large river entering the ocean, but are actually mady by oils given off by the seaweed.

Watch the sunset over the Great Australian Bight from Ceduna, the business centre of the far west coast. Ceduna is another oyster-farming community, with most leases situated around Denial Bay. The local oyser growers are happy to sell you oysters from their premises. Fresh oysters are also available daily at the Oyster Bay and most restaurants.

This oyster abundance is celebrated during the Ceduna OysterFest held over the October long weekend each year. Ceduna derives its name from the Aboriginal word for "a resting place", the name given to a nearby waterhole.  It's an apt name, as Ceduna is the last major town before heading west across the border to Perth.

Maps
Download an Eyre Peninsula map for an overview of the region. You'll also find interactive Google maps of Eyre Peninsula on its home page on SouthAustralia.com.