Venus Bay is a tranquil coastal town set on a large, sheltered bay of the same name on the western Eyre Peninsula of South Australia. Historically, the bay was first entered by a commercial vessel in 1850, the schooner Venus, from which it derives its name, and the settlement initially grew around a whaling station and as a port for the surrounding pastoral industry.
The town, formally named Parkin before being officially changed to Venus Bay in 1940, experienced periods of growth and decline, eventually being revitalized as a commercial fishing base in the 1920s. Geographically, the bay is a significant feature, characterized by a narrow, cliff-lined entrance that opens into a vast, calm system of tidal flats, shallow lagoons, and deep channels, creating a unique and protected marine environment.
The area is recognized as an Important Bird Area, attracting birdwatchers to its wetlands. Beyond the bay, the coastline features dramatic cliffs and scenic drives to attractions like Talia Caves and Mount Camel Beach.
