Discover Elliston: Surrounded by rugged coastline and expansive beaches
Travel around 170 km north along the Flinders Highway, and you’ll come to the popular little town of Elliston. Set on the shores of the spectacular Waterloo Bay and surrounded by dramatic coastline and pristine beaches, Elliston is famous for beautiful sunsets, spectacular surfing and fishing, sea lions, dolphins and Southern Right whales sightings. It's also an ideal base for exploring the region’s west coast.
Elliston offers two breathtaking scenic cliff top drives, the Little Bay Cliff-top Loop and Anxious Bay Cliff-top Loop. Both both providing stunning coastal views and you'll be welcomed by intriguing sculptures at the latter.
Make sure you take a sunset walk on Elliston’s recently restored 424-metre heritage-listed jetty. It is one of the few screw pylon structured jetties still in use and heritage-listed because its steel pylons were screwed directly into the sea floor using a horse-drawn winch.
Bring your rod, because the jetty is alive with Australian herring (tommy ruff), large squid, trevally, garfish, and King George whiting after dusk.
Fishing, Camping and Four Wheel Driving
The Lake Newland Conservation Park offers excellent fishing, camping and swimming, with the occasional surf break and is the most extensive wetland on the Eyre Peninsula. You’ll need to be an experienced 4WDriver, because access to explore the long strip of beach extending north is only available at low tide.
Be sure to check out the natural saline lakes, and freshwater springs that extend 20 kilometres in length, providing habitat for peregrine falcons, sea eagles, rock parrots and a variety of honeyeaters, along with more than 30 species of waterfowl and wading birds.
Meanwhile, Locks Well Beach is the spot for Australian salmon — that’s if you don’t mind accessing the beach via a 120-metre wooden staircase!
A Rich Heritage
Back in town, the Elliston Community Hall mural depicts the life of Elliston, taking in both the maritime and rich agricultural heritage. Originally finished in 1992 and then repainted in 2014, the mural was painted under the guidance of artists Siv Grava and John Turpie. There are also smaller commissioned murals on the old shop and the front beach public toilets.
While you’re here, be sure to spend some time in the Elliston Trudinger Park playground and skate park. Named as a tribute to Doctor Trudinger who served the community for over 18 years, it's located in the centre of town across from the supermarket, bakery and hotel and includes a barbecue area and play equipment.
The town of 377 swells to around 1500 during the peak season and has plenty of accommodation to choose from, including two caravan parks, bed and breakfast, holiday houses and a hotel and motel. There are also shopping and good sports facilities.
Related Information