Walking & Hiking
Trails Along the Edge
The best walking & hiking in Streaky Bay
Walk the granite-cliffed coastline of Whalers Way, the dunes and bays of Coffin Bay National Park, or the rugged headlands of Lincoln National Park. Short clifftop strolls and full-day coastal treks reward you with sea-lion colonies, wildflowers and endless ocean horizons.
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Cape Bauer Loop & Whistling Rocks
View →Blowholes that whistle, cliffs that roar
A 38 km scenic loop from Streaky Bay out to the cliffs of Cape Bauer, where boardwalks lead to the Whistling Rocks and blowholes above the heaving Southern Ocean.
Hally Beach & Cape Bauer Loop
View →A coastal drive loop west of Streaky Bay linking sheltered Hally Beach with the dramatic blowholes and cliffs of Cape Bauer.
Murphy's Haystacks
View →Pink Granite From the Dawn of Time
A cluster of strange, wind-sculpted pink granite inselbergs more than 1,500 million years old, standing in a farm paddock near Streaky Bay.
Point Labatt Sea Lion Colony
View →Australia's Largest Mainland Sea Lion Colony
A clifftop lookout above a permanent colony of Australian sea lions - the largest mainland breeding colony of this endangered species.
Searcy Bay
View →A scenic bay near Sceale Bay framed by rugged cliffs and offshore islands, with sweeping coastal views and quiet beaches.
Westall Way Loop
View →A self-drive scenic loop near Streaky Bay taking in Whistling Rocks, the Granites surf beach and sculpted coastal cliffs.
About walking & hiking in Eyre Peninsula
Walking the Eyre Peninsula means trading crowds for clifftops, granite domes and empty beaches. The trails here run from short, family-friendly foreshore strolls to rugged coastal hikes inside the national parks, almost always with the ocean or a sweeping inland horizon for company.
In the south, Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay lace together lookouts, headlands and dune walks, with the climb to Stamford Hill rewarding effort with panoramic coastal views. Inland, the Gawler Ranges open up ancient volcanic country, waterfalls and the towering Organ Pipes, while granite monoliths like Mount Wudinna and Pildappa Rock offer easy scrambles to big views.
Many walks double as wildlife outings - you'll pass nesting ospreys, grazing emus and wildflowers in spring. Carry water, sun protection and a map, as remote trails have no facilities and patchy phone signal. Autumn through spring brings the most comfortable walking weather, with wildflowers peaking after winter rains.
Walking & Hiking in Eyre Peninsula - frequently asked questions
What are the best walks and hikes on the Eyre Peninsula?
The signature walking is coastal, concentrated in the south around Port Lincoln. Standouts include the granite-cliffed trails of privately owned Whalers Way, the Stamford Hill loop and long-distance Investigator Trail in Lincoln National Park, and the Yangie Bay walks in Coffin Bay National Park. For an inland contrast, the Gawler Ranges National Park has the short Organ Pipes Walk through billion-year-old rock formations and the wave-like granite of nearby Pildappa Rock.
Is the Stamford Hill walk in Lincoln National Park worth doing?
Yes - it is one of Australia's recognised Great Short Walks and the most popular hike on the southern peninsula. The roughly 5.7 km loop climbs steadily to the Stamford Hill lookout and the Flinders Monument, with sweeping views over Boston Bay, Port Lincoln and the park itself. It is moderately steep but achievable for most reasonably fit walkers, and the lookout is also the high point of the longer Investigator Trail.
Do I need a permit or pay an entry fee to go walking here?
Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay National Park charge a vehicle entry fee (around $13.90 per car, or less with concession), which you pay before entering. Whalers Way is privately owned, so you buy a separate access permit per vehicle that also includes a night of camping on the property. The Gawler Ranges, Pildappa Rock and most coastal foreshore strolls around towns like Elliston are free to access.
Can I bring my dog walking on the Eyre Peninsula trails?
Not into the major national parks - dogs are prohibited in both Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay National Park, with only assistance dogs permitted. You can still walk a dog around the townships and many foreshore and beach areas, including in Coffin Bay town itself, so it is worth checking dog-friendly beaches in the area if you are travelling with a pet.
When is the best time of year for walking and hiking on the Eyre Peninsula?
Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are ideal, with mild days well suited to clifftop and coastal treks. Spring also brings wildflowers to the Gawler Ranges and coastal heathlands, while the cooler months from June onwards add southern right whales offshore. Summer is best avoided for longer or inland walks, as there is little shade and the heat can be intense, especially in the Gawler Ranges.