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Tumby Bay, South Australia - Beautiful Beaches, Colourful Street Art and Seaside Charm
- May 2
- 4 min read
Updated: May 3
Tumby Bay, South Australia - Beautiful Beaches, Colourful Street Art and Seaside Charm
Set on the eastern side of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, Tumby Bay is one of those seaside towns that instantly slows your pace. Resting on the shores of Spencer Gulf, around 600 kilometres from Adelaide, it has beautiful beaches, vibrant street art and warm country hospitality.
During our stay in Tumby Bay, we explored the foreshore and jetty, wandered around the town centre and admired the stunning street art. We viewed the Silo Art, enjoyed morning tea at the bakery, and wandered along the Mangrove walk.
Wandering the Tumby Bay Foreshore and Jetty
Tumby Bay’s foreshore is the heart of the town, with more than 10 kilometres of sandy beach stretching along the calm waters of Spencer Gulf. Fringed by stately Norfolk pines, the foreshore features grassy picnic spots, playgrounds, barbecues and walking paths, creating a relaxed coastal setting perfect for swimming, strolling or simply soaking up the view.
Stretching around 350 metres into the bay, the Tumby Bay Jetty has been part of the town’s story since it was built in 1908. Once an important commercial jetty serving the shipping trade until 1972, today it has become a much-loved recreational landmark. It’s a popular place to cast a line for Tommy Ruff, trevally, salmon, squid and yellowfin whiting, while snorkellers and divers come for another reason entirely — the waters beneath the jetty are home to a leafy sea dragon colony.
As we wandered along the foreshore, one of the highlights was following the Leafy to Sleepy Mosaic Trail, a charming community art project meandering along the waterfront. Beautiful mosaic artworks are embedded into the footpath, celebrating local marine life and birdlife, with interpretive signs adding layers of storytelling to the walk.
Exploring a Town Turned Open-Air Gallery
Beyond the beach, Tumby Bay’s town centre has all the charm of a classic country coastal town, with cafés, a bakery, supermarket, hotel, pharmacy and specialty shops inviting a slow wander. But what makes this town especially memorable is its extraordinary street art. Murals appear down laneways and across building walls, turning ordinary corners into works of art. Tumby Bay has become one of South Australia’s standout street art destinations thanks to Colour Tumby, the bi-annual festival that has transformed the town into an outdoor gallery.
Held every two years since 2018, the festival brings renowned mural artists to town to create large-scale works inspired by local stories, landscapes and coastal life.
We loved wandering the self-guided street art trail, admiring works by celebrated artists including Smug, Jimmy Dvate and Matt Adnate. A trail map can be picked up from local shops and is well worth following to uncover the artworks scattered throughout town.
Tumby Bay Heritage Buildings
As we wandered around town, we saw some interesting heritage buildings with informative plaques.
The Tumby Bay Hotel was originally built as a single-storey hotel in 1904, and the second storey was added in 1909.
The first police officer was stationed in Tumby Bay in 1906, and the Police Station was built in 1908.
The first Post Office was built near the Police Station in 1908.
The Seabreeze Hotel on the foreshore was originally called the Commercial Hotel and was built in 1907; the name was changed in 1969, and it still operates as a hotel today.
The Iconic Tumby Bay Silo Art
Just outside town, the artistic journey continues at the Tumby Bay Silo Art, located on the corner of Lincoln Highway and Bratten Road. There is a parking area nearby, followed by a short walk to the viewing area. Painted in 2018 by renowned artist Martin Ron and assistant Matt Gorrick, the silos depict two local boys joyfully jumping from the jetty — a scene that perfectly captures the carefree spirit of this coastal community. Near the silos, there is also a yarning circle and several seats, making it a peaceful place to pause and take in the artwork and the surrounding landscape.
Morning Tea at the Tumby Bay Bakery
No country town visit feels complete without a bakery stop, and Tumby Bay Bakery is a beauty. Located on North Terrace and open Monday to Friday from 6:30 am to 4:00 pm, this classic country bakery offers freshly baked breads, pies, sausage rolls, sandwiches, cakes and sweet treats, alongside good coffee and easy takeaway options. We stopped in for morning tea and enjoyed delicious coffee, cakes and the kind of warm country hospitality that makes these local bakeries so memorable.
Discovering the Mangrove Walk
For something a little different, the Tumby Bay Mangrove Walk offers a quiet nature experience just moments from town. Located on Berryman Street, the walk begins at an information shelter where interpretive signs explain the importance of the mangrove ecosystem. From there, a 70-metre boardwalk winds through thriving mangroves, past tidal flats and out to a small lookout. It’s a short but fascinating walk, and a lovely way to experience another side of Tumby Bay’s natural environment.
Why Tumby Bay Is Worth Exploring
Tumby Bay has a way of surprising you. It offers much more than a pretty beach town — there’s fishing history on the jetty, world-class public art in the streets, giant silo murals, peaceful mangrove wetlands and a country bakery that feels like a destination in itself.
Whether you come for the foreshore, the street art, the fishing, or simply to slow down and enjoy coastal country life, Tumby Bay captures the laid-back spirit of the Eyre Peninsula beautifully.
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