You can’t go wrong with a spontaneous trip down to the Eyre Peninsula. Pack your surfboards and stay for a while. That way the big drive from Adelaide will be totally worth it.

Highlights

  • Vast, wide-open, untouched Australian landscapes
  • The starriest of night skies
  • Untouched beaches and cliffs

Where is the Eyre Peninsula?

The Eyre Peninsula is located roughly 650km west of Adelaide. To be honest, it’s much closer if you measure in a straight line but you have to go around the Spencer Gulf… It’s a bit annoying but distance just makes the heart grow fonder, yeah?

It is without a doubt home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve had the privilege to lay eyes upon, not to mention some of the gnarliest surf breaks I’ve seen!

 

eyre peninsula lachlan riley coast coastline south australia

 

The vastness of the landscape definitely adds to the uniqueness of the area. The raw and humbling feeling standing atop a rugged cliff face, looking out over the Great Australian Bight is such an experience in itself.

The horizon doesn’t stop until it reaches Antartica. Just thinking about the strongest of storms that have battered this coastline over and over again makes you feel so small.

South Australian Surf Vibes

Exams had finished and the uni holidays had just kicked off – the fellas and I were absolutely stinging for a getaway after being cooped up indoors.

Swags, surfboards, and snags were packed up into the 4WD and we were off! Staring at a week’s worth of surfing, 4WDing across dunes, and sleeping under the stars. When we arrived at the Eyre Peninsula the surf was pumping! The empty beaches and unending coastline made it feel like our own little surf montage – we just needed the camera crew.

We headed around Elliston and surfed Fowlers Bay, Cactus Beach, and a couple of others. From what I’ve heard, you can pretty much always find a good break around here depending on the wind conditions and stuff.

There’s no better feeling than finishing a surf and heading straight to the campfire to warm up and dry off.

 

eyre peninsula lachlan riley

 

The Eyre Peninsula is fairly remote, and phone service is limited, so grab a map, sit down with your crew and give it a mull – distances to some spots can be lengthy at times. But it’s definitely worth going to unwind from the city hustle and grind.

Essential Gear

  • Swag/tent etc. (there are also rental houses available)
  • Camera
  • Warm clothes (definitely in winter, it’s chilly)
  • GPS & map (this will help you tick off the places you have on your list and keep you from getting lost)
  • Fuel, lots of it (700km+ west of Adelaide)
  • Food & water supplies to keep you going for a week of camping

How To Get There

The best and worst thing about the Eyre Peninsula is the distance. To get there, plug in Eyre Peninsula into Google Maps… cause there is way too many directions to tell you here.

Skill Level

Beginner – unless of course, you’re considering 4WDing through sand dunes. Then let’s hope you know what you’re doing because that’s not a beginner activity.

 

Feature photo thanks to @riley.photo