Few places pack in this many wildlife encounters — from swimming with sea lions to the world's only mass cuttlefish gathering.
For sheer concentration of wildlife encounters, few corners of Australia rival the Eyre Peninsula. Almost everywhere you go, there is something remarkable to see, on land and underwater.
The marine life is the headline act. At Baird Bay you can swim with wild Australian sea lions, one of the rarest species on the planet, while at Point Labatt you can watch the largest mainland breeding colony of the same species haul out beneath the cliffs. Each winter at Point Lowly near Whyalla, tens of thousands of giant Australian cuttlefish gather to breed in a pulsing display of colour — the only mass aggregation of its kind anywhere in the world, and one you can witness with a snorkel from the shore.
Then there are the tuna and dolphins of Boston Bay, the whales that pass the southern coast in winter, and, more soberingly, the great white sharks for which these waters are famous; Streaky Bay displays a cast of a record-breaking specimen caught nearby.
On land, the manna gums of Mikkira Station shelter a population of wild koalas, an unexpected sight so far west. Emus and kangaroos graze the national parks and roadsides, ospreys and sea eagles patrol the cliffs, and the heathlands burst with wildflowers and birdlife in spring.
Much of this can be seen responsibly and up close, often with local operators who have spent years building trust with the animals. Bring binoculars, a wetsuit and a sense of wonder — the Eyre Peninsula delivers.
