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Eyre Peninsula Top 10 Things to Do - Wild Coastlines, Fresh Seafood & Unforgettable Experiences
- 13 hours ago
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Eyre Peninsula Top 10 Things to Do - Wild Coastlines, Fresh Seafood & Unforgettable Experiences
The Eyre Peninsula is one of South Australia’s most spectacular coastal regions — a place where rugged cliffs meet sandy beaches and turquoise waters, where wildlife encounters feel personal, and where every small town has a story to tell. From windswept beaches and national parks to incredible seafood and vibrant public art, this is a destination that invites you to slow down, explore deeper, and truly connect with the landscape.
During our visit, we uncovered some of the Eyre Peninsula’s standout experiences, and these are our favourite things to do when visiting this beautiful South Australian region.
Discover Eyre Peninsula's National Parks
Nature lovers are spoilt for choice with spectacular national parks across the Eyre Peninsula. Our favourites are Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay National Park.
Lincoln National Park is 13 kilometres south-west of Port Lincoln on the south-eastern tip of the Eyre Peninsula. The road from the entrance to Surfleet Cove is sealed, and the other roads are dirt, with some requiring a 4WD. Lincoln National Park is popular for boating, fishing, beachcombing, swimming, bird watching, whale watching and nature walks. There is also a variety of campgrounds in the park that offer easy access to the beaches, bays and walking trails.
Coffin Bay National Park is located just out of Coffin Bay, and the road from the entrance to Yangie Bay and Golden Point Lookout is sealed. You will need a 4WD to access other areas of the park. Coffin Bay National Park is a spectacular coastal wilderness known for its sweeping sand dunes, crystal-clear waters, and abundant wildlife. It is popular for boating, fishing, swimming, birdwatching and camping.
Swim with Sea Lions
One of the most incredible wildlife experiences on the Eyre Peninsula is swimming with sea lions. Calypso Tours are located in Port Lincoln, and Baird Bay Experiences are located 50 kilometres from Streaky Bay. They both offer small group tours where you can swim with the sea lions and operate from October to May each year. Swimming with sea lions is a truly magical experience. These playful, curious animals dart and spin effortlessly around you, often coming in close to investigate with their big, expressive eyes. They interact entirely on their terms, so every moment feels natural and special.
Eat Fresh Seafood
Port Lincoln is home to the largest fishing fleet in the Southern Hemisphere, and is known as the Seafood Capital of Australia. It is surrounded by the pristine waters of the southern peninsula and the Spencer Gulf, and this region produces an incredible selection of premium seafood, from southern bluefin tuna and yellowtail kingfish to King George whiting and snapper. You’ll also find top-quality prawns, mussels, southern rock lobster, calamari, and abalone when in season.
A great place to start is the Fresh Fish Place, a factory-direct seafood market where you can pick up freshly filleted fish, coffin bay oysters, prawns and more, all sourced from the surrounding pristine waters and prepared daily. If cooking’s not on the agenda, you can simply sit down at their on-site eatery and enjoy a freshly prepared seafood meal.
Discover Silo Art
On our road trip around the Eyre Peninsula, we saw some great silo art. The Cowell silos were transformed into a striking piece of public art in 2019 by artist NITSUA. The mural celebrates local legend Lionel Deer, pictured with his camel Diamantina. The artwork also features a Port Lincoln Parrot and a nearby farmhouse ruin.
In Tumby Bay, the Viterra silos were transformed in 2018 into a vibrant coastal artwork by Argentinian street artist Martin Ron. The mural captures the carefree spirit of summer, depicting two local boys jumping from the iconic Tumby Bay Jetty.
The Kimba Silos were transformed into a breathtaking large-scale artwork by artist Cam Scale in 2017. Spanning across five silos, the mural depicts a young girl standing in a golden wheat field at sunset.
See Natural Attractions
The Eyre Peninsula is home to some truly unique landscapes and rock formations. Murphy’s Haystacks are located approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Streaky Bay. These striking pink granite inselbergs have been shaped by wind and time over thousands of years. Today, you can wander along the walkway between the two groups of rock outcrops and read the interpretive signage that explains how they were formed. The name comes from an early traveller who mistook these rock formations for haystacks.
Pildappa Rock is a significant, 1,500-million-year-old pink granite inselberg, located 15 kilometres northeast of Minnipa. Pildappa Rock is known for its impressive wave formations that are similar to Western Australia’s Wave Rock. There is a walking track around the base of the rock, and you can also walk on top of the rock.
Explore Stunning Beaches
The Eyre Peninsula is home to some of the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches in Australia, where endless stretches of white sand meet crystal-clear turquoise waters. Perlubie Beach, just north of Streaky Bay, is a long, sweeping stretch of white sand with crystal-clear blue water. With gentle waves and great views, it’s the ideal spot to relax, fish, camp or simply soak up the peaceful coastal vibe.
Greenly Beach is about an hour from Port Lincoln and is one of the most photogenic beaches on the Eyre Peninsula. It has striking granite rocks, golden sand and lovely aqua water, creating a scene that feels almost untouched. It is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, camping and exploring the Greenly Beach Rockpools.
Discover Coffin Bay Oysters
No trip to the Eyre Peninsula is complete without tasting Coffin Bay oysters. Known for their clean, ocean-fresh flavour, these oysters are best enjoyed right where they’re grown.
To learn more about Coffin Bay Oysters, you can join a guided tour, where you will learn how oysters are cultivated from seed to harvest, and you can even try your hand at shucking them. Taking a tour is a fun experience that gives you a deeper appreciation of the industry and lets you taste some of the freshest oysters you’ll ever have, right where they’re grown. Coffin Bay Oysters are delicious served naturally or as Oysters Kilpatrick.
See Street Art
As we travelled around the Eyre Peninsula, we saw some amazing street art, colourful mosaics and stunning sculptures. Tumby Bay has a world-renowned Street Art Trail that transforms this charming coastal town into an open-air gallery, showcasing stunning large-scale murals by some of the world’s best street artists. Wander through the picturesque streets and laneways to see colourful works of art, each with its own unique story. From breathtaking ocean scenes to abstract wonders, these murals celebrate the heart and soul of Tumby Bay.
In Cleve, we saw two fantastic sculptures created by Peter Crosby. Bonney the Clydesdale and a pair of kangaroos were created from old farm machinery and metal tools and are located in the main streets of Cleve. There is also a lovely colourful mural called ‘Sunsets and Regeneration’ painted on the side of the Cleve Memorial Hall.
The town of Cummins has a fantastic mosaic trail, and as we wandered around town, we saw beautifully crafted mosaic artworks on footpaths, walls, and public spaces, each telling a story about local life, history, and the region’s agricultural roots.
In Wudinna, we admired the Australian Farmer Statue. This stunning granite sculpture stands 8 metres high, and weighs approximately 70 tonnes. It was created by Marijan Bekic, and the stylised statue of the farmer represents the early settlers of the region, with carvings symbolising grain and sheep.
Enjoy Coastal Drives
The Eyre Peninsula is made for scenic coastal drives, where every turn reveals dramatic cliffs, sweeping ocean views, and hidden beaches waiting to be explored. One of our favourites is the breathtaking Anxious Bay Cliff Top Drive in Elliston. This 7-kilometre coastal drive has fantastic sculptures and incredible lookouts with panoramic views over the Great Australian Bight. The sculptures along the trail have been created by local and visiting artists and are part of a unique, ever-evolving outdoor gallery that has been developing over the past twenty years.
We also drove 20 kilometres from Elliston to Lock’s Well Beach. This stunning beach is famous for being one of the most reliable locations to catch Australian Salmon. There is a great lookout and a long staircase, with 283 steps leading down the cliffs to a pristine stretch of sand below. It’s a spectacular spot for photography, fishing, or simply soaking in the raw beauty of this wild and windswept coastline.
Camp on the Coast
Camping on the Eyre Peninsula is one of the best ways to truly experience its wild coastal beauty. From clifftop campgrounds with sweeping ocean views to peaceful spots within national parks, camping on the Eyre Peninsula lets you slow down and really connect with the landscape. Our favourite spots were Redbanks Beach and the Lincoln National Park.
Redbanks Beach is located 7 kilometres from Arno Bay, and this great clifftop campground has 7 camping sites that you can book online. The access road to the campground is sealed, and there are stunning cliffs and a beautiful beach that is popular for fishing, surfing & swimming.
Surfleet Cove in the Lincoln National Park has lovely bush campgrounds that overlook Boston Bay. You can book sites online, and access to the campground is on a sealed road. It’s also an easy walk to Surfleet Cove’s beautiful beach.
Don't Miss the Eyre Peninsula!
The Eyre Peninsula is one of those rare destinations that still feels raw, authentic, and largely untouched. It’s a place where you can swim with wildlife in the morning, feast on fresh seafood by lunch, explore ancient landscapes in the afternoon, and fall asleep beside the ocean at night. Whether you’re chasing adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, the Eyre Peninsula certainly delivers. If you’re planning a South Australian road trip, this is one region you don’t want to miss.
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