There's no need to choose between the outback and the ocean...

Not in the Eyre Peninsula, anyway. Flanked by the Gawler Ranges to the north, the Spencer Gulf to the east and the Great Australian Bight to the west, this triangular peninsula is one of South Australia's most unique (and beautiful) regions. Where else can you hike through 1500-million-year-old rock formations, explore glistening salt pans and pluck your own oysters straight from the sea? Throw in a passionate local to show you around, abundant native wildlife and some of the country's best seafood, and you've got an unforgettable Aussie adventure.

Our Eyre Peninsula tours

9 Days From 1970

Spend nine days exploring South Australia’s stunning Eyre Peninsula, from Adelaide to...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

Highlights of the Eyre Peninsula

An aerial view of an oyster farm in Coffin Bay

Visit an oyster farm

There's a reason the Eyre Peninsula is nicknamed "Australia's Seafood Frontier". Wade out into the clear waters of Coffin Bay with a local farmer where you'll learn how Pacific and Angasi oysters grow, how they're harvested and how to shuck like a pro. The best part? You'll get to sample them fresh out of the water. This is as fresh as it gets.

An aerial view of a van driving past Lake Macdonnell

Drive along Lake Macdonnell

It's no surprise Lake Macdonnell is one of the most photographed places in South Australia. With a dusty road cutting straight through the centre, the water on one side is (sometimes) a cotton candy colour, while the other side (can be) a deep blue. This natural phenomenon is all thanks to algae that feed off the salt and secrete red pigments into the water.

The Organ Pipes in Gawler Ranges National Park

Explore Gawler Ranges National Park

Uncover the incredible diversity of Gawler Ranges National Park. Hike to the spectacular Organ Pipes, a set of rock formations created by volcanic activity more than 1500 million years ago; discover how the land has changed over time at Sturt’s Lake; and look out for hairy-nosed wombats, goannas and yellow-footed rock wallabies in Yandinga Gorge.

A person holding a bowl of quandong

Enjoy a native-inspired lunch

After exploring the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, pop into the café next door for a native-inspired lunch. The menu is full of delicious, home-cooked meals — think marinated kangaroo wraps, bruschetta with wattle seed vinegar and tuna patties with native bush herbs. Desserts like lemon myrtle pancakes and homemade scones with quandong jam are worth leaving room for.

A wombat in the wild in South Australia

Stay at Scotdesco Aboriginal Community

Spend two nights in the wonderful Scotdesco Aboriginal Community in Bookabie. Take part in cultural activities and learn about their unique rainwater harvesting system — the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. They rely solely on rainwater and plan to be fully sustainable after completing their solar farm project.

Sea lion mothers and their pups on the shore at Point Labatt

Visit Point Labatt sea lion colony

Point Labatt is home to the only permanent colony of Australian sea lions on the mainland. And you can watch these endangered critters lapping up the sun on the beach. If you coincide your trip with the birthing season, you might be lucky to spot gorgeous pups playing with each other or learning how to swim.

Eyre Peninsula tour reviews

Eyre Peninsula FAQs 

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

The Eyre Peninsula is a 320-kilometre promontory located between the Great Australian Bight in the west, and the Spencer Gulf in the east. It's populated by a few townships including Port Augusta, Ceduna, Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Coffin Bay.

Our Eyre Peninsula trips start in Adelaide. There are daily flights to Adelaide from most major Australian cities including Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

From Adelaide, you can drive to Port Augusta (4 hours) where you can then take the coastal route or go inland towards the Gawler Ranges. There are also three airports located in the Eyre Peninsula region — Ceduna, Port Lincoln and Whyalla — with daily flights to/from Adelaide.

Learn more about how to get to the Eyre Peninsula

The Eyre Peninsula is a vast region. Public transport is scarce or non-existent, so it's difficult to get around if you don’t have your own transport — all the more reason to join us for a tour!

The Eyre Peninsula is a year-round destination. With diverse landscapes and weather patterns, when to visit depends on what you want to see and do. Summer (December-February) is the best time to explore the coast as the skies are fairly clear and there's plenty of sunshine.

Winter (June-August) is a great time for wildlife as there's lots of vegetation (read: food) by creeks and rivers thanks to the rains. June to September is also a fantastic time to see southern right whales off the Head of Bight as they migrate to birth and nurse their young.

Learn more about the best time to visit the Eyre Peninsula

Ensure you bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes or hiking boots, a pair of thongs, bathers, a sun hat, sunglasses, a daypack and clothing that you can layer up or down. You might also want to bring one or two smart casual outfits for restaurants and bars in the evening.

If you're visiting in winter, you'll need a warm, waterproof jacket and a beanie as mornings and evenings can be chilly, and it can get quite blustery along the coast.

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries. 

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

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