The Eyre Peninsula is a driving destination, and once you’re here you’ll find a whole bunch short day trips to check out.
The perfect way to spend a day or a half day, here are some of our favourites.
1. The Elliston Coastal Trail
This trail comprises of over 13km of trail (walking and driving) along the spectacular cliff top coastline between Little Bay Surf Break and Cape Finniss. There are plenty of places to stop and drink in the sights of this rugged coastline, as well as breathe in that fresh salty air. You can also enjoy the clifftop sculptures!
Now, you can walk this trail (or parts of it), but we’ve included it as a drive because you can do that too.
Hey, maybe you just don’t feel like a walk!
2. Coffin Bay National Park
The Coffin Bay National Park is stunning, and there is lots to see and do within the park itself. There are multiple campsites and gorgeous white sandy beaches, along with many drives and walking trails. (For the record, even though this is about drives – Yangie Bay has several excellent walks you can check out.)
One of the highlights of the park is the drive to Point Avoid and Golden Island, with stunning island views along the way.
Much of this park is only accessible by 4WD, with narrow sandy tracks and opportunities for beach driving.
3. The Nullarbor
Okay, we can’t talk about drives on the Eyre Peninsula without mentioning the treeless stretch of the Nullarbor. With epic views of the Bunda Cliffs, whale watching in the winter season and an incredible night sky views if you camp along the way, the Nullarbor is a unique drive in Australia.
The Nullarbor gets its name from its key feature – ‘null arbor’ meaning no tree.
Ceduna is the last major stop before you hit the Western Australia border, so keep that in mind.
Also remember you can choose to do part of the trip – you aren’t obliged to go all the way to the Western Australia border and back!
4. Scenic drives around Streaky Bay
There are three breath-taking coastal trails to follow in the Streaky Bay area – the Westall Way Loop, the Cape Bauer Loop and the Point Labatt Sea Lion Drive.
The Westall Way Loop is a 31km scenic loop, including Tractor Beach, popular surf beach Granites, Smooth Pool and Yanerbie. It’s recommended you allow 1.5 to 3 hours for this trip.
The Cape Bauer Loop is shorter – just 1-2 hours – but features some epic spots like Hallys Beach and Whistling Rocks and the Blowholes.
Keep an eye out for wildlife!
And speaking of wildlife, Point Labatt is home to a sea lion colony which you can observe from the clifftop.
Upwards of 50 animals can be seen under the cliff face year round, and this drive also takes you to the granite outcrops of Murphy’s Haystacks!
5. The Gawler Ranges National Park
Like the park at Coffin Bay, the Gawler Ranges offer plenty of 4WD opportunities. And within the park itself, you’ll also find a lot of shorter drives you can check out either as a day trip or from your campsite.
Drive out to Conical Hill for epic views of the surrounding landscape and be sure to follow the track to the Organ Pipes – a short walk from the parking area will take you to these spectacular rock formations.
This is another area for abundant wildlife, particularly at the right time of day.