KIMBA
Your first point of call when travelling to the west coast of South Australia on the Eyre Highway. A small rural service town with one Big Galah. One of Australia’s many ‘Big’ things!
Stop in at this little sweet spot for some fuel or a bite to eat at Eileens, Kimba Café or the Kimba Roadhouse Motel and Caravan Park Restaurant before continuing on your travels.
Kimba is always my pit stop when travelling by car up to Ceduna. It’s a good time to take a breather and refresh the body for a few more hours travel!
'THE BIG GALAH' - YOU JUST CAN'T MISS OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR PHOTO WITH HIM!
CEDUNA
‘The Oyster Capital of Australia’ and the gateway to the WA Border it is a great spot to spend a few nights with a choice of fuel stations, a Foodland to stock up on necessities as well as a few shops to browse and a chemist. This quaint seaside town is full of things to do and close to many areas to explore.
I was lucky enough to get the chance to spend 2 years of my life here. Beginning my career in hospitality at Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel and being able to spend my days with the beautiful locals and dolphin spotting from the comfort of the bar with the amazing views it has!
'CEDUNA FORESHORE' - THE BEST VIEW IN CEDUNA
Ceduna Shelly Beach Caravan Park and Beachfront Villas is a great place to stay with a beach nearby, a great spot if you’re wanting to be a little bit out of the central part of Ceduna. Ceduna Foreshore Caravan Park is also a great one. Adjoining to Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel, it directly overlooks the foreshore. Recent upgrades have included a pool for those beautiful summer days and nights. If you’re wanting a room of your own, Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel has a lot to offer. From their Standard Rooms to Spa Suites overlooking the jetty, every room is quality for money and has all the basic amenities you need. The hotel itself serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and it’s extensive menu including front bar meals has something for everyone including sensational views. Stunning sunsets are a normal occurrence here. It also offers gaming areas as well as free parking and a bottleshop. Being able to work at this bar was definitely a highlight, it’s beautiful views and wonderful locals always made the job so fun and rewarding.
Within the township are lots of beaches that are safe to swim in (just watch out for the razorfish! Swim shoes will not be laughed at here!) and being located where it is, it often boasts beautiful warm days year round.
'SHELLY BEACH' - SHALLOW WATERS AND STUNNING VIEWS
Foodwise Ceduna has lots of cafes and eateries. Blue Dolphin Café offers lots of healthy alternatives and delicious breakfasts. Ceduna Oyster Barn has a range of different flavours of oysters, available for dine in or takeaway as well as a great Asian menu and seafood favourites.
Ceduna Oysterfest, October long weekend, is definitely a fun weekend that this little seaside town hosts. Every year people from all around the area come together with rides, music, food and drink for a weekend that the whole town anticipates every year. Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel is the sponsor for the fantastic firework display and also holds a range of live music and DJ’s to make the weekend the best it can be. Did I mention oysters? Oyster Shucking, Oyster eating, oyster throwing and more oyster eating… fun for the whole family!
OYSTERFEST - 3 WAYS TO HAVE YOUR OYSTERS
PENONG
Another small town but a must see stop in if you have a few hours spare when staying in Ceduna. Penong Hotel is one of those country pubs that you can’t but stop in for a quick drink and a chat to the barman. Not only is the beer cold but the food is fantastic.
Windmill Museum is also there to have a look at. Including ‘Bruce – the biggest windmill in Australia.
For those die hard surfers (or just ocean and beautiful view lovers) make the 20 minute drive from Penong to Cactus Beach. Many lookouts along the way, and roads to explore. Including a few camping grounds scattered around, all with beautiful views.
'PENONG WINDMILL MUSEUM' & 'CACTUS BEACH'
FOWLERS BAY
Fowlers Bay is just up the road from Penong, and with lots of little tracks leading onto the sand dunes it is a 4WD dream come true. Stunning views and many spots to set up camp are within your reach. Many locals stop at Mexican Hat for a few nights during the summer holidays. It is such a stunning spot to go and escape reality and truly enjoy the beach.
'FOWLERS BAY' - A FAVOURITE SPOT TO CAMP WHILST UP THE WEST COAST
SMOKY BAY
Smoky Bay is a short drive towards Port Lincoln from Ceduna. With not much else but a stunning little foreshore beach, a general store, caravan park, a jetty with shark safe netting, and Oyster Farms it is a great little getaway. On the drive there from Ceduna there are turn offs to go and explore Rock Pools and St Marys – more stunning beaches in this area. As with all these little towns, there is fantastic fishing in most spots. I highly recommend going crabbing for their delicious blue crabs.
'BEACH NEAR ROCKPOOLS' & 'SMOKY BAY JETTY'
STREAKY BAY
Yet another beautiful picturesque bay, but with so much to do and eat. From their beautiful foreshore pub to all the little cafes and my favourite; Streaky Bay Marine Products for its sensational fresh seafood. There are so many drives to take around the bay itself and when you’re on your way out there are some well sign posted trails to follow that lead you to Cape Bauer, Murphys Haystacks and lots of stunning views. Streaky Bay is somewhere I always pop in to visit when I’m holidaying in Ceduna, their flat waters, delicious food and cute little shops – I just can’t stay away.
'STREAKY BAY FORESHORE' & 'STREKY BAY' - THE BEST FRESH SEAFOOD STORE
BAIRD BAY
This pretty little place is one I have not yet travelled to, but I had to include as it’s on the list for next time I adventure up this way! Baird Bay is a small fishing town but it has some cool activities that you can do whilst you’re here! Including swimming with local sea lions and dolphins! Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience is a well known company for giving travellers awesome sealife experiences. Being only 40 minutes away from Streaky Bay, it’s easy to head back there for the night at any of their gorgeous spots to stay the night or continue on to Elliston!
'BAIRD BAY' - EXPERIENCE SOMETHING MAGICAL
ELLISTON
When I think of Elliston I think of its amazing BAKERY. They possibly have the best sweets I’ve ever eaten when travelling (you can’t beat Morris Bakery and Café in Naracoorte tho!) and they are even better when you can jump out and grab some goodies then take off on one of their self drive tours around the Elliston Cliff Top Loop. If you’re ready to take a night off from travelling Elliston has some great spots to stay including the Waterloo Bay Tourist Park, Elliston Caravan Park and Elliston Hotel.
'ELLISTON' - IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE VIEW!
COWELL
Cowell is not a very big town but it has a lot to offer. If you’re driving back towards Whyalla and Port Lincoln, it’s one of the last small towns you will come across. The Cowell Foreshore Caravan Park is the perfect little spot for a night on the road. Immaculate cabins with all the necessities is all we needed. Another reason to mention Cowell, is the Franklin Harbour Hotel with its relaxed rural vibes and its delicious local oysters! Cowell also has a fantastic Jade shop if you’re into jewellery! And a beautiful mural painted Silo.
COFFIN BAY
When travelling around the West Coast its almost impossible to not be drawn to Coffin Bay. With it’s famous name due to its delicious oysters – you have to pop in and check it out. The best thing about Coffin Bay is its affordibility – from fine dining to little shops with plastic cutlery – there is something for all types. Not to be missed is the Oyster Farm Tours where you can wade out into the water, and learn all about the oyster industry.
'COFFIN BAY' - EXPERIENCE AND SEE OYSTER FARMING UP CLOSE
PORT LINCOLN
Port Lincoln is probably best known for its shark encounters. This buzzing town has everything you need from a little city – from cute cafes like The Rogue and Rascal, to delicious restaurants like Sarins Restaurant Bar and Bistro and easy fast food. It has something for everyone. And the dare devils themselves. Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions is extremely well known, and is a thrill seekers dream. Although I personally have not quite got the strength to jump into cold water with huge animals with giant teeth – I know quite a few people that have, and all the reports are a big watery thumbs up. If you feel the need to see these glorious animals face to face, Port Lincoln is definitely the place for you. Thankfully if that is not your scene, there are great local places to drink including The Grand Tasman Hotel and Port Lincoln Hotel which transforms into Sharkys Bar on the weekends!
'PORT LINCOLN' - GET UP CLOSE WITH THE SHARKS IN A CAGE DIVE
To sum it up, the West Coast of South Australia has a little something for everyone. It is a stunning area filled with beautiful people. Whether you’re wanting to fly and hire a car or use your own car – there is no wrong way to explore this area.
No matter where you travel, whenever you leave the front doorstep of your home, let Argyle Travel and Cruise look after you. After all, we’re your travel and South Australian experts.