Eyre Peninsula Attractions 
Half way along the south coast of Australia the Eyre Peninsula projects like a broad triangular spur into the Southern Ocean, separating the Great Australian Bight to the west from Spencer Gulf to the east. At the corners of the triangle are Ceduna in the west, Port Lincoln in the south and Whyalla and Port Augusta in the east. The northern boundary of the peninsula is formed by the Gawler Ranges in the arid north. The east coast, on Spencer Gulf, has safe and sheltered beaches and good fishing waters. The peninsula is named after the explorer John Edward Eyre, who in 1840-1, starting from Adelaide, surveyed the coastal regions on the Great Australian Bight. After traveling north as far as the huge salt lake which bears his name he turned west and south to cross the Nullarbor Plain close to the coast and reach Albany in Western Australia.
In the interior of the Eyre Peninsula the Koppio hills in the south give way further north to great flat expanses of farming land, and in the thinly inhabited far north the horizon is bounded by the Gawler Ranges. To the west is the desolate, treeless Nullarbor Plain, ending on the coast in cliffs of dangerously friable sandstone. Between June and October whales can be seen passing along the coast close to the land.
Coffin Bay National Park
Lincoln National Park
Port Lincoln
In the interior of the Eyre Peninsula the Koppio hills in the south give way further north to great flat expanses of farming land, and in the thinly inhabited far north the horizon is bounded by the Gawler Ranges. To the west is the desolate, treeless Nullarbor Plain, ending on the coast in cliffs of dangerously friable sandstone. Between June and October whales can be seen passing along the coast close to the land.
Things to See
Arno Bay
Arno Bay is a popular little resort.
Ceduna
The little town of Ceduna (pop. 3000) is the last settlement of any size before the crossing of the inhospitable Nullarbor Plain in Western Australia. The port at Thevenard, 3km east, ships grain, gypsum and salt and is the base of a fishing fleet. Its situation in Denial Bay, with its sheltered beaches and offshore islands, makes it an ideal place for a beach holiday.
Coffin Bay
Picturesquely situated on a long sheltered inlet near the southwestern tip of the Eyre Peninsula is the little fishing village of Coffin Bay (pop. 340), named by Matthew Flinders after his friend Isaac Coffin.
Coffin Bay National Park 
300 sq.km.
On a spur of land reaching out into the Great Australian Bight on the southwestern coast of the Eyre Peninsula is Coffin Bay National Park, a region of granite and limestone crags, with heavy surf thundering against jagged cliffs, heathland with a sparse growth of vegetation and traveling dunes, and sheltered sandy bays for sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts.
On a spur of land reaching out into the Great Australian Bight on the southwestern coast of the Eyre Peninsula is Coffin Bay National Park, a region of granite and limestone crags, with heavy surf thundering against jagged cliffs, heathland with a sparse growth of vegetation and traveling dunes, and sheltered sandy bays for sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts.
Cowell
The historic settlement of Cowell (pop. 700) is where Franklin Harbour, a large coastal lagoon, offers safe, sheltered beaches for bathing and fishing. The economy depends on the deposits of jade in the area, fishing and farming as well as on tourism (hotels, motels, caravan/camping parks). South of Cowell is Franklin Harbour Conservation Park (good fishing). Visitors can join a 'jade safari' which will take them into the beautiful Minbrie Ranges and give them an opportunity of prospecting for a piece of jade for themselves.
East Coast
The east coast of Eyre Peninsula features a variety of attractions.
Elliston
In Waterloo Bay on the west coast of the peninsula is the popular holiday resort of Elliston (hotels, motels, holiday apartments, caravan/camping parks), with safe bathing beaches and beautiful wild coastal scenery. There are fine views from Mount Wedge (250m).
Flinders Island
Flinders Island is in the Great Australian Bight and is good for diving and water sports.
Lincoln National Park
174 sq.km.
Occupying the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula is Lincoln National Park with rugged cliffs, mallee scrub vegetation and many species of birds. Good fishing and swimming.
Occupying the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula is Lincoln National Park with rugged cliffs, mallee scrub vegetation and many species of birds. Good fishing and swimming.
McDonald
The town of McDonald, a settlement founded in the 1840s, now lies in ruins. Day trips to beaches in Decres Bay, Laura Bay and Davenport Creek.
Nullarbor National Park
2300 sq.km
This vast monotonous plain with no trees (as its name indicates, from Latin nullus arbor) is covered only with low-growing salt scrub. It is only after abundant winter rains that multi-colored flowers and many varieties of grass bring a touch of life to the landscape. Rough tracks lead to the imposing cliffs that fringe it on the south.
This vast monotonous plain with no trees (as its name indicates, from Latin nullus arbor) is covered only with low-growing salt scrub. It is only after abundant winter rains that multi-colored flowers and many varieties of grass bring a touch of life to the landscape. Rough tracks lead to the imposing cliffs that fringe it on the south.
Overseas Telecommunications Earth Station (closed)
The Overseas Telecommunications Earth Station links Australia with countries in Asia, Africa and Europe.
THIS ATTRACTION IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
THIS ATTRACTION IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
Point Labatt
Point Labatt is a nature reserve with a large colony of sea lions.
Port Lincoln
Port Lincoln (pop. 12,000) is at the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula. It was one of the earliest European-style settlements, established in 1839. Shortage of water and a relatively infertile hinterland hampered its early development, but these problems have been dealt with and the area now produces rich crops of wheat. Port Lincoln is the base of a Australia's largest fishing fleet and a busy commercial port, exporting wheat, wool, sheep and frozen fish.
With its sheltered bays, mild climate and beautiful coastal scenery, with rugged cliffs alternating with beautiful beaches, Port Lincoln is becoming an increasingly popular holiday resort. In the town itself there is the interesting Mill Cottage Museum (1867). From elegant Boston House there is a majestic view over the bay. The Lincoln Hotel (1840) in Tasman Terrace is the oldest of its kind on the Eyre Peninsula.
The beginning of the tunny-fishing season is marked by the Tunarama Festival, held annually in January on the weekend after Australia Day.
With its sheltered bays, mild climate and beautiful coastal scenery, with rugged cliffs alternating with beautiful beaches, Port Lincoln is becoming an increasingly popular holiday resort. In the town itself there is the interesting Mill Cottage Museum (1867). From elegant Boston House there is a majestic view over the bay. The Lincoln Hotel (1840) in Tasman Terrace is the oldest of its kind on the Eyre Peninsula.
The beginning of the tunny-fishing season is marked by the Tunarama Festival, held annually in January on the weekend after Australia Day.
Streaky Bay
The little resort and fishing port of Streaky Bay (pop. 1000) has good sandy bays, little inlets and high cliffs. In the hinterland is wheat-growing country. There is an interesting local museum in the former schoolhouse. Along the beautiful coasts nearby can be seen many pelicans.
Surroundings
Off the coast of Port Lincoln are a number of attractive little islands, easily reached by boat.
Surroundings
The area around Ceduna features a variety of attractions.
Tumby Bay
Tumby Bay (pop. 1200) has developed in recent years into a popular holiday resort with a semicircular bay of white sand offering beautiful coastal scenery. The former police station houses a museum of local history.
The offshore islands to the east have been designated as the Sir Joseph Banks Group Conservation Park (sea lions, dolphins, many species of birds).
The offshore islands to the east have been designated as the Sir Joseph Banks Group Conservation Park (sea lions, dolphins, many species of birds).
West Coast
The west coast of Eyre Peninsula features a variety of attractions.
Whyalla
Whyalla (pop. 26,000) is the second largest town in South Australia, with a deep-water port, and an important center of heavy industry processing iron ore from Iron Knob and Iron Baron in the nearby Middle Back Ranges. The town itself has no particular features of interest.
The origins of Whyalla go back to a little 19th C settlement called Hummock Hill which was given a tremendous boost when the industrial giant BHP established a large steelworks. From 1939 to 1978 the town also had a large shipyard.
The principal attraction of the town's Maritime Museum is the Whyalla, a ship built here in 1941. There are interesting tours of the BHP steelworks, which also include an excursion to the Iron Knob iron mines.
The origins of Whyalla go back to a little 19th C settlement called Hummock Hill which was given a tremendous boost when the industrial giant BHP established a large steelworks. From 1939 to 1978 the town also had a large shipyard.
The principal attraction of the town's Maritime Museum is the Whyalla, a ship built here in 1941. There are interesting tours of the BHP steelworks, which also include an excursion to the Iron Knob iron mines.
Yumbarra Conservation Park
The Yumbarra Conservation Park features bizarrely shaped granite crags rising out of low sandy hills.
