Golden Island is a small, rugged island located within the pristine coastal wilderness of Coffin Bay National Park on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Geographically, it is a key feature of the dramatic seascape viewed from the park’s southern coastline, lying just offshore from Point Avoid and Almonta Beach. Composed of limestone, the island is characterized by a flat top, rugged cliffs, and low shrub vegetation, and is part of the Whidbey Isles Conservation Park, a strict nature reserve.
Historically, Golden Island and its surrounding isles have remained largely untouched, granting them significant conservation value. The island was once connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, the submerged remnants of which are still visible from the Golden Island Lookout, creating a unique visual where opposing wave patterns collide over the reef.
While there is no public access to Golden Island itself, it serves as a spectacular landmark and a focal point for tourism activities on the mainland. The primary attraction is the Golden Island Lookout, which is easily accessible by a sealed road and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the island, the turbulent Southern Ocean, and the stunning Almonta Beach.
This vantage point is renowned for observing marine wildlife, including frequent sightings of dolphins and sharks, which are sometimes seen cooperatively hunting schools of salmon.
