Eyre Peninsula Itinerary

On the Eyre Peninsula nothing travels far — except the view.

At the tip of South Australia’s coastline, lunch is pulled straight from the ocean. Plump oysters shucked at the farm gate and crayfish grilled on the jetty. A glass of wine isn’t poured from far away either, with Boston Bay vines growing just metres from the shoreline. That’s the thing about this place — food stays close, but the landscapes open wide. Sand dunes ripple along the coast, oceans stretching to the horizon and trails wind through rugged national parks. One day you’re sandboarding, the next you’re swimming with sea lions or watching whales breach. From Adelaide, you can be here in less than an hour with REX or QantasLink, touching down in the seaside town of Port Lincoln within 50 minutes. And the best part? You don’t have to piece it all together — we’ve done it for you. This Eyre Peninsula itinerary makes the simple pleasures easy to find.

Where to stay 

Rumi on Louth, Louth Bay 

One boat ride and you’ve left the mainland — and the world — behind. This luxury private island is all wind in your hair, salt on your lips and nothing but wide sky and scrubland. Where sheep once grazed, fairy penguins now nest amid the native grasses – waddling distance from the white shores that wrap around this small island like a bow. As your feet touch the sand of Rumi on Louth, a cool drink lands in your hand. Days unfold at your pace: take a buggy across the island, stretch into a beachside yoga session or glide along the shoreline on a kayak. When hunger calls, sit down at the two-hatted Samphire Restaurant for whatever the sea has offered up that morning. And as dusk turns the ocean silver, pour a glass and let the view do the rest.

Pod[e] Mulla Mulla, Westall 

This eco-pod is named and styled around the 'Ironstone Mulla Mulla' — a shrub with a blush-coloured bloom that is native to the Eyre Peninsula. Located near Streaky Bay, Mulla Mulla is true to its name — all soft pinks, natural wood and brushed nickel blending seamlessly into the surrounds. With over 300 acres of private land to explore, including a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna, Pod[e] Mulla Mulla offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature, family and friends in complete seclusion and luxury. 

Salty Sands Retreats, Port Neill

At Salty Sands Retreats, the dunes are your doorstep. Honeyed hues warm their ridges at first light, while shadows stretch and soften as the day fades. Just 5 kilometres south of Port Neill, this 6 metre double-door bell tent will put you mere steps from Carrow Wells beach. Inside, a queen-size bed invites slow mornings. Outside, a private deck calls you to soak up the calm, quiet solitude. Stroll over soft sands, picnic basket in hand, to where turquoise water melts into the sky. Sink into the quiet stretch of shore before tucking into lunch, spending your afternoon with a beach to yourselves. When the air starts to cool, follow your footprints back to your glamping retreat. 

Eco Eyre, Port Gibbon

Life moves slowly here. A fragment of Port Gibbon’s old jetty hints at its busy past, now framing a quiet bay. At Eco Eyre, the landscape’s calm becomes part of your stay. Wake to uninterrupted ocean views, watching dolphins weave through the surf, or snoozy sea lions lounging along the shore. After tracing the sand with salty feet, soak in a bath made for two. Climb the nearby dunes for sweeping views of the coast or let the afternoon slip by with board games and wine. By night, these pods glow softly as the sky turns dark, and the only sound is the gentle roll of the waves.

Port Lincoln Hotel, Port Lincoln 

At the Port Lincoln Hotel, everything’s within easy reach — the airport, the coast and Boston Bay right outside your window. Spend the day exploring Lincoln National Park, where the scent of eucalyptus hangs in the air and kangaroos graze between twisted mallee trees. Or take your time with the flavours of the region, tasting seafood pulled straight from the ocean or wine poured where the vines grow. After a day of making memories, sink into the on-site pool or enjoy a meal at Sarin’s Restaurant. Then head upstairs to your room and watch the sun melt into the sea. 

What to see 

Beaches and national parks 

Along 2,000km of coastline, you’ll find beaches where the loudest sound is the surf. The shores stretch untouched, save for the faintest footsteps — yours and a passing kangaroo. In Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay National Park, finding your own patch of paradise is as simple as following a sandy track. Find spots like Almonta Beach, where dunes curl into the ocean, Memory Cove dotted with secluded coves and hidden rock pools and Locks Well where a 283-step staircase leads to a secluded beach. 

Natural wonders 

On the Eyre Peninsula, nature leaves its mark in unexpected ways. Northeast of Minnipa, Pildappa Rock rises and rolls like a frozen wave. Formed some 1.5 billion years ago, the region’s tallest and longest undulating formation makes you feel both small and grounded in a landscape that has barely changed. An hour’s drive away, Murphey’s Haystacks rise from the plain, their weathered shapes scattered like sculptures across the golden grass. Local tip: Stick around until sunset and watch the rocks glow deep reds and oranges, a photographer’s dream against South Australia’s sky.

Salt lakes 

Nothing feels quite as vast as the Eyre Peninsula's salt lakes — white splotches that blend the space between land and sky. Just one hour from Port Lincoln, you’ll find Lake Greenly, near Greenly Beach, where the horizon slips away entirely. Further north near the Gawler Ranges, Lake Gairdner sprawls nearly 5,000sqm and up to 1m thick. Walk across its crisp, pale surface and watch it crack like delicate ceramic. Guided trips, like those with Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris, make this remote salt flat easy to explore.

What to do 

Sand dunes 

Along Eyre Peninsula’s coastline, dunes crest and fall like waves. Out here, the sand seems endless — until your four-wheel drive digs in and ascends, up and up and up. Your reward for making it to the top? A panoramic view of where the oceans collide. Watery waves and sandy sets crash into each other at the tide mark. Wildlife pulls the picture together as emus leave their prints behind them. This is a way to experience the peninsula with locals who know the land like the back of their hand. Just ask Robert Irwin, he’s had a taste of just how wild an Australian Coastal Safari can be.

Whale watching 

Witnessing a whale in South Australia’s waters is a moment of raw, untamed beauty. From June to October, Southern Right Whales travel thousands of kilometres from the icy Southern Ocean to the warm, sheltered bays of the Eyre Peninsula — a migration that has repeated for millennia. These 90-tonne creatures can be spotted in more ways than one. EP Cruises take you out to sea, sharing stories, knowledge and a genuine love for the ocean. High above, Chinta Air traces the coastline, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the cliffs and coves below. And from land, local guides with Untamed Escapes help you spot mothers and calves playing in the waters. It’s a sight you’ll be struggling to describe over the dinner table for months, even years to come.

Shark cage diving 

Imagine locking eyes with a great white shark while the water roils around you. Circling inches from your face, its eyes lock on yours for a heartbeat that feels like forever. You come face-to-face with this magnificent creature in its natural environment — all from the safety of a cage. South Australia is one of the few places in the world, and the only place in Australia, where this is possible. Tours from Port Lincoln with Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions or Calypso Star Charters take you close to the action, including the Neptune Islands. It’s home to fur seals and prime hunting waters, where great whites can be seen year-round.  

Oysters 

Salt water on your chin, waves lapping at your feet and the briny burst of the ocean in your mouth — oysters on the Eyre Peninsula are a true taste of the sea. With turquoise waters and more than 2,000km of coastline, this is where oysters reign supreme. Floating racks and baskets bob gently in the water as local farmers share the secrets behind these world-famous delicacies. Hop on a boat with Oyster Deck Experience in Smoky Bay or with Experience Coffin Bay and spend a day with a seasoned farmer. Or, if you prefer to stay on land, pull up a chair at Oyster HQ in Coffin Bay. 

What to eat and drink 

The Fresh Fish Place, Port Lincoln 

When you visit a coastal town like Port Lincoln, the seafood just tastes different. Fresh, simple and satiating. At The Fresh Fish Place, fishermen pull up right outside, their catch whisked straight through the doors to the filleting room. Through the open kitchen window, you can watch it transform. Cleaned, sliced and cooked to order. Steam curls from your paper-wrapped fish and chips still hot to the touch — each bite a little slice of the Eyre Peninsula at its best. 

Teakle Wines, Port Lincoln 

Picture this: you’re sitting on the deck of an architecturally designed Teakle Wines cellar door, its curves sweeping like the inside of a wine barrel. It’s a fitting frame for drops that are just as carefully crafted. Sip a sauvignon blanc bursting with tropical fruit, as refreshing as the coastal views with vines rolling to Boston Bay. Inside, the Line & Label Restaurant serves a degustation with ingredients harvested from the sun-warmed gardens and bay just beyond the cellar door. Here, nothing travels far — except the view.

L'Anse Fresh Cafe, Port Lincoln 

The smell of butter and sourdough hits first. The line out the door tells you the rest. Locals know to get in early because this place gets busy, and for good reason. At L’Anse French Café & Croissanterie, you can watch layers of croissant dough folded, rolled and baked into golden crescents through an open baking window. The first bite is all flake and butter, gone too soon. At the counter, with a coffee in hand, it’s impossible not to plan your return — because once is never enough. Local tip: Try the almond croissant or pain au chocolat. Trust us.

Drift Streaky Bay, Streaky Bay

Pick a table on the deck and the bay feels like it’s yours. At Drift Streaky Bay, you’re front row to turquoise waves lapping against the jetty, gulls wheeling overhead. A seafood platter arrives piled high just like the locals like it: oysters, scallops, prawns and King George Whiting. It’s the perfect pairing with your glass of chilled South Australian wine that sweats in your hand as the tide rolls in. Owners Vince and Paulette wander past, chatting to diners like old friends, welcoming everyone like they’ve been coming for years.