Travel to the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia – Episode 930 – Amateur Traveler

Hear about travel to the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia as the Amateur Traveler talks to James Schomburgk about his adventures in this out of the way destination.

Why should you visit the Eyre Peninsula?

James says, “Because of its remoteness, it’s probably the lowest number of tourists in Australia. And yet it’s listed as one of the biggest hidden gems in the world because of the scenery. The scenery is magical. If you’re looking for classic Australian beaches, pure white sand, stunning water, fantastic cliff scenery, and some of the best surf beaches in the world. The wildlife is certainly what attracts intrepid travelers to go there because it has all the wildlife that people are looking for.”

James recommends a 7-night itinerary for visiting the Eyre Peninsula, which includes a mix of scenic drives, wildlife encounters, beach visits, and unique experiences. Below is the itinerary based on his recommendations:

Day 1: Adelaide to Whyalla

1. Clare Valley: Take a scenic detour through this famous wine region, known for its Rieslings and boutique wineries.
   • Suggested stop: Pikes Wines for wine tasting and lunch.
2. Wirrabara:
   • Stonehut Bakery or Julia’s Kitchen at the Old Bakery for snacks or pies.
   • View the silo art in Wirrabara.
3. Melrose: A picturesque town at the base of Mount Remarkable, perfect for a quick coffee or walk.
4. Whyalla:
   • Stay the night.
   • Visit the Whyalla Jetty, a unique figure-eight-shaped jetty.
   • Optional: View the giant cuttlefish if visiting in May-August.

Day 2: Whyalla to Port Lincoln

1. Drive down the eastern Eyre Peninsula coast.
2. Tumby Bay:
   • Enjoy a beach walk.
   • View silo art depicting children swimming.
3. Port Lincoln:
   • Stay for 2 nights.
   • Highlights:
     • Swim with the tuna at a tuna farm.
     • Visit Mikkira Station to picnic and see koalas in the wild.
     • Glen Forest Tourist Park: Hand-feed kangaroos and see wildlife.
   • Evening: Dine at the Fresh Fish Place or enjoy King George whiting.

Day 3: Port Lincoln

1. Whalers Way:
   • Explore spectacular cliffs, blowholes, and rock pools.
   • Spot sea lions.
2. Fishery Bay:
   • Swim or relax on the white sand beach.
   • Be cautious of great white sharks.
3. Optional adventure:
   • Swim with sea lions (Calypso Tours or Baird Bay Experience).
   • For the daring: Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions to cage dive with great white sharks.

Day 4: Port Lincoln to Elliston

1. Coffin Bay National Park:
   • Visit Almonta Beach, known for its white sand and Cape Barren geese.
   • Spot emus and kangaroos.
2. Coffin Bay:
   • Oyster Farm HQ: Taste and shuck fresh oysters in the water.
3. Scenic stops:
   • Greenly Beach
   • Leo Cummings Monument Lookout
4. Elliston:
   • Stay overnight.
   • View Anxious Bay and the sunset sculptures along the cliffs.

Day 5: Elliston to Streaky Bay

1. Talia Caves and Talia Beach:
   • Explore natural caves and coastal cliffs.
2. Venus Bay:
   • Walk the South Head Walking Trail and spot pelicans.
3. Point Labatt:
   • Observe Australia’s only mainland sea lion colony.
4. Murphy’s Haystacks:
   • Visit the unique rock formations.
5. Streaky Bay:
   • Stay overnight.
   • Dine on local seafood, including oysters and whiting.

Day 6: Streaky Bay to Nullarbor Roadhouse

1. Smoky Bay:
   • Buy fresh oysters directly from farmers.
2. Penong:
   • Stop for windmills and the scenic drive to Cactus Beach.
   • Pass Lake MacDonnell with its pink and blue lakes.
   • Enjoy the sand dunes en route.
3. Nullarbor Roadhouse:
   • Stay overnight.
   • Spot dingoes and experience the remote outback.

Day 7: Head of Bight

1. Visit the Head of Bight:
   • View the Great Australian Bight cliffs.
   • Spot southern right whales if visiting between May and August.
2. Drive back to Port Augusta and stay overnight.

Day 8: Return to Adelaide

1. Drive back to Adelaide, with potential stops in the Flinders Ranges or Gawler Ranges National Park if time allows.

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Show Notes

Eyre Peninsula
Edward John Eyre
Nullarbor Plain
Port Augusta
Clare Valley
Pikes Wines
Flinders Ranges
The ultimate guide to South Australia’s regional silo art
Julia’s Kitchen at the Old Bakery (Wirrabara)
Stonehut Bakery (Wirrabara)
Kitchener bun
Melrose, South Australia
Whyalla
The Whyalla Jetty
Giant Cuttlefish
Tumby Bay, South Australia
Tumby Bay
Port Lincoln
Swim with the Tuna
Mikkira Station Picnic and Camping with Koalas
Glen Forest Tourist Park
Whalers Way
Fishery Bay
Swim with the Sea Lions, Calypso Tours
Baird Bay Experience Swim with Sealions
Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions
Coffin Bay National Park
Best Eyre Peninsula beaches
Coffin Bay
Oyster Farm HQ
Greenly Beach
Anxious Bay
Fresh Fish Place
King George whiting
Elliston Hotel
Gawler Ranges National Park
Talia Caves
Talia Caves and Talia Beach
Streaky Bay
South Head Walking Trail
Point Labatt
Murphy’s Haystacks
Smoky Bay
Penong
Cactus Beach
Lake MacDonnell
Nullarbor Roadhouse
Head of Bight
Right whale
Travel to South Australia (Podcast) – Amateur Traveler
Wombat
Leo Cummings Monument Lookout

Community

on Travel to Machu Picchu, Peru – Amateur Traveler Episode 928

Chris,

I really enjoyed the Machu Picchu episode as it brought back memories from last year. I got certified to teach English in Arequipa and ended up spending about five and a half months in Peru. Like your guest, I found Machu Picchu spectacular and loved Peru (I also grew up in the suburbs of Rochester, NY.) Peru has some cool cities and towns as well as ridiculous scenery.

A few comments:

1. If you can do it, I would recommend doing one day on the Inca Trail. The views are tremendous, plus it’s much more dramatic to first see Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate after several hours of hiking than to first see it ground level after getting off the bus and walking for 15 minutes. For me, the scenery in the Machu Picchu area is better than the old structures.

2. If I remember correctly, a guide told us NOT to get the Machu Picchu stamp in your passport. Apparently you run the risk of someone deciding it invalidates your passport because it’s not a real stamp.

3. If people have the time, I absolutely recommend visiting the western part of Peru. I’m biased, but I love Arequipa and liked it more than Cusco. It’s rough around the edges, but has some of the best weather on the planet, a historic area with cool architecture that has a bit of an old Europe vibe (including a fabulous Plaza de Armas), and has fantastic views of a few nearby volcanos. Lima is a cool city with a really cool coastline in Miraflores. And if you like cats, Prague Kennedy is your place. Western Peru also has some great rocky islands with penguins, sea lions, and other wildlife, a desert oasis, Colca Canyon, and fantastic mountains and volcanos. While getting ready to fly to Cusco, it occurred to me that I had already seen a tremendous amount of great natural scenery.

Sorry for rambling, but the podcast reminded me of some great experiences in my life. And being a semi-retired nomad, I get to go back to Arequipa in late June. I enjoy your podcast. Keep up the good work.

Ed

Amateur Traveler Trips