Streaky Bay and districts offers three breathtaking scenic drives on the Great Australian Bight: Westall Way Loop, Cape Bauer Loop and the Point Labatt Sea Lion Scenic Drive.
WESTALL WAY LOOP COASTAL SCENIC DRIVE
30km scenic loop, 9km south of Streaky Bay. Drive duration is 1.5 to 3 hours
One of only three scenic loops on the Eyre Peninsula, Westall Way Loop is jam-packed with attractions and experiences for visitors.
Point Westall was sighted and named by Matthew Flinders on 5 February 1802, after a landscape painter who was one of his crew on board the Investigator.
Set up camp at beautiful Tractor Beach prior to walking along the existing pathway to magnificent Highcliffs, where sea stacks loom out of the Southern Ocean. Now with a new eco friendly toilet facility.
The popular surf beach Granites boasts a lagoon-style rock pool for the not-so-brave to swim in, while surfers can ‘catch a wave out the back’. A stairwell of 110 steps provides access from the cliff-top car park down to the waters below.
At ancient Smooth Pool, drive down to access and spend hours exploring rock pools or snorkelling around reefs to discover what lies beneath, or perhaps just a spot of rock fishing?
Check out Speeds Point and marvel at the massive surf bombie just off the coast. The ‘Bombie’ was the location of Australia’s very first big wave surf competition, the Fantastic Noodles Intense Wave Invitational 2009.
Relax with a stroll along serene Yanerbie beach, perfect for the beginner surfer. Why not take a sand-board and have fun sand-boarding down the white sand dunes. Yanerbie is a perfect location for a BBQ lunch or just a chance to flop and drop on a safe swimming beach. There are designated 4WD drive tracks along the coastline and into the sand dunes.
Open: 24 hours, 7 days. Best to visit in daylight hours. No fees apply.
Facilities: Car parks, interpretive signage, Granites has a stairwell, Council-operated camping sites are located at Tractor Beach and Speeds Point (no facilities) $15.00 per vehicle per night (honesty box)
CAPE BAUER LOOP COASTAL SCENIC DRIVE
38 km Scenic Loop Drive. Drive duration is 1 to 2 hours
The scenery along this section of the Great Australian Bight is rugged and spectacular. Stop along the way for some amazing photo opportunities, and discover interesting features including Hallys Beach, where surf fishing is popular, or Whistling Rocks and the Blowholes, which boast a 360m boardwalk and viewing platforms with wheelchair access to the fore dune.
Like many stretches of the Eyre Peninsula coastline, this is a significant breeding habitat for raptors such as the southern osprey, white-bellied sea eagle and peregrine falcon.
For information on how to respect these raptor breeding areas contact:
- The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
- 15 Bay Road
- Streaky Bay
- 08 8626 1108
As you travel back to Streaky Bay, marvel at the colours and hues of the mangroves, which are listed as very important wetlands, and stop off at the boat ramp to check out the latest fresh fish catch and a lovely view of the township across the calm waters of the bay.
Open: 24 hours, 7 days. Best to visit in daylight hours. No fees apply.
Facilities: Car parks, interpretive signage, Hallys Beach has access to beach via stairwell, Whistling Rocks and the Blowholes has a 360m boardwalk and eco-toilets. No camping.
POINT LABATT SEA LION SCENIC DRIVE
51 kms from Streaky Bay. Drive duration – half day
The Point Labatt Conservation Park is a ‘must visit’ nature-based experience.
A purpose-built viewing platform 50m above the colony allows you to closely observe the only permanent colony on the Australian mainland of Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinera) with the aid of interpretative signage. Binoculars and / or a telephoto lens are recommended for enhanced viewing. One of Australia’s most endangered marine mammals and the worlds’ rarest sea lions, they cohabitate with New Zealand fur seals. Upward of 50 sea lions and seals can be seen under the cliff face all year-round as they frolic, laze, swim and fish on the shoreline. Sea birds such as black-faced shags, red-necked stints and crested terns congregate on the rocks amongst the sea lions.
To cap off a perfect day, you can meander via Baird Bay and Calca to take in a breathtaking sunset at Murphy’s Haystacks, a 1500-million-year-old geological wonder. One of the most visited natural attractions on the Eyre Peninsula, these ancient wind-worn inselbergs are a must for avid photographers.
This current form of unique pillars and boulders only dates back 100,000 years. Buried by calcareous dune sand about 30,000 years ago, subsequent erosion has gradually revealed the pink granite forms standing high on the hilltop today.
Local legend has it that coach driver Charlie Mudge named Murphy’s Haystacks following a remark by a Scottish agricultural advisor who saw the landmark in the distance while travelling on the mail coach. Shimmering like haystacks in the hot afternoon sun, he was very impressed with the sight before him and remarked, “That man must harrow, look at all the hay he has saved.”
From Streaky Bay, travel 40km southeast on the Flinders Highway to Murphy’s Haystacks. Turn off Flinders Highway (turn into the Calca to Point Labatt Road) and follow the sealed section for approx. 1.5km. It is approx. another 41km to Point Labatt via Calca. Point Labatt to Streaky Bay is 51km – total 132.5km. The round trip can be made either way. Another option is to include the Westall Way Loop Scenic Drive and make a full day.
Murphy’s Haystacks
Open: 24 hours, 7 days. Best to visit in daylight hours. Payable honesty box.
Facilities: Car park, interpretive signage, walking trail, picnic area, undercover tables and chairs, toilets.
Point Labatt Conservation Park
Open: 24 hours, 7 days. Best to visit in daylight hours, only in the morning or in mild weather. No fees apply.
Facilities: Ring route car park, interpretive signage, viewing platform, no camping,
Want to know more about our spectacular scenic drive experiences?
- Community Information Officer
- Streaky Bay Visitor Centre
- 21 Bay Road
- 08 8626 7033
Refer to the District and Town maps for directions to all locations.
Our place is a place for footprints and memories…Please take your rubbish with you when you leave.
Where’s the town jetty?
The iconic town jetty is:
- Situated on the foreshore adjacent to Alfred Terrace
- Visible from anywhere around the bay and town coastline
- A working jetty with small to medium sized fishing vessels regularly calling in to unload fish and refuel
- Points almost due North which is due to the unique geography of our bay even though the town is situated on the Southern coast line of Australia
Recreational vessels can moore at the jetty subject to time restrictions.
What are Razorfish and how can I catch them?
Razor fish are a shellfish that can be harvested from the seabed around the sandy blue line at low tide.
When harvesting on foot or in a boat it is reccommended to use razor tongs and wear protective footwear and gloves.
Razorfish are popular eaten cooked or pickled in jars. The heart is similiar to a small scallop and is used for bait to lure the King George Whiting.
You cannot buy Razorfish commercially.
Razorfish Facts
- Minimum legal length: no minimum legal length
- Personal daily bag limit: 25
- Possession limit: 100
- Daily boat limit: 75
- PIRSA is responsible for all beaches below high tide mark
- The District Council of Streaky Bay has signage at five beaches to educate fishermen about the reccommended disposal of Razorfish. Razorfish shells should not be discarded on beaches.
