VISIT Eyre Peninsula

The Eyre Peninsula and West Coast of South Australia form a triangular promontory bounded by Spencer Gulf to the east and the Great Australian Bight to the west. This region boasts remarkable geological features including the second largest monolith in Australia at Mount Wudinna, distinctive granite formations such as Pildappa Rock with its wave-like structure, and the dramatic Bunda Cliffs where the Nullarbor Plain meets the Southern Ocean.

The landscape encompasses pristine beaches, agricultural plains cultivated with cereal crops and canola, arid stretches of the Nullarbor, and unique "hammerhead peninsulas" forming Lincoln and Coffin Bay national parks, all supporting diverse terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

The area's rich history spans over 40,000 years of Aboriginal habitation by the Barngarla and Wirangu peoples who continue as custodians of the land. European exploration began with Dutch navigator Francois Thijssen in 1672, followed by Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin who charted the coastline in the early 1800s. The peninsula was named after Edward John Eyre who explored the region in 1839-41 and became the first European to cross the Nullarbor Plain with his Aboriginal companion Wylie. Settlement expanded in the early 20th century with towns like Ceduna established in 1901, while historical water collection systems on granite outcrops demonstrate ingenious adaptations to the arid environment.

The area's cultural landscape is further enriched by National Trust museums preserving pioneer history, Kimba's towering silo murals, and the strong community-centred lifestyle that characterises the coastal towns along this remote yet spectacular stretch of Australian coastline.