Great Australian Bight

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 09, 2011 at 22:13
ThreadID: 85533 Views:3654 Replies:7 FollowUps:6
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Hi all, We are now a week into our 6 month journey and are staying the night at Eucla Caravan Park - what an awesome view you get for $20!!

We are on our way to Streaky Bay in SA, but want to spend some time at the Great Aus Bight. We are in a compact caravan with 4WD, 2 adults, 2 kids 7 and 9.

Can anyone recommend where to stop between Eucla and Streaky Bay for best views of GAB??? and best place to stay? there are lots in the Camps 5 book but it is hard to choose.

All advice welcome!
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Reply By: Member - Josh- Saturday, Apr 09, 2011 at 22:35

Saturday, Apr 09, 2011 at 22:35
Can't remember where we stayed but take the time to look at the blow holes along the way. There is so much out there to look at.

Josh
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 13:31

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 13:31
Lizzyb has already gone past the most easily accessed - the Caiguna Blow hole, which is right by the road. It is fascinating to feel it "breathing".

Mh
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Apr 09, 2011 at 23:47

Saturday, Apr 09, 2011 at 23:47
Hi lizzyb

There are a number of stops along the way. A very quaint place that if always good to stay at is Fowlers Bay. There are some good tracks in the area. Another good spot is out near Dog Fence Beach.

You do not have to look very far anywhere out that way.

Have a great trip.


Cheers


Stephen
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Follow Up By: lizzyb74 - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 00:05

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 00:05
thanks Stephen, we saw Fowler's Bay on "the map" and it looks good as you say. We'll def go there.

I haven't seen Dog Fence Beach - will look it up...

Thanks for your good wishes!

Lizzyb
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Follow Up By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 09:43

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 09:43
Ditto re Fowlers - had few great fishing trips there ! Just a few years back it was a real 'outpost' though - hard to buy any supplies there (only a tiny shop) - diesel only too (if using ULP, fill up at Nundroo) - lovely jetty for a bit of fishing - wonderful sand hills if you are into sand driving - hoards of people do - and the impressive Scott's beach is only a 10 minute drive away, over the sandhills (or via the longer but easier back track) - salmon fishing heaven over there.
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Follow Up By: Hairy (WA) - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 16:06

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 16:06
Yep....Fowlers bay is a great spot.
Ask for directions to "Chinamans".......its along the coast to the West. Great fishing and veiws.

Cheers
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Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 00:15

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 00:15
Hi Lizzy

Most of the cliff top viewing areas, which were all between the border and Nullarbor Roadhouse, have now been closed. Only a few remain; just drive into each signed area to take a look, but do not walk near the edge. On an early trip, I saw people walking past danger signage and when i walked a little way away, i could see how undercut where they were walking was. On our last trip i noticed the change - that area is now no longer there.

It is worth going to Head of Bight, but the gate may be closed outside of whale viewing times (which i think is May to October). If you can get through, go and have a look anyway; the visitor centre there will be locked, but there is a good viewing platform even if it is out of season for seeing whales. At this point you see cliffs to the west and sand dunes to the east. Camping is not permitted there.

Have you driven down to the Old Telegraph Station at Eucla?

Motherhen
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Reply By: Member - Tony (ACT) - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 09:00

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 09:00
Not a bad camp at Catus Beach, good cliff top walks and watch the surfers in action.

The T/O is at Penong.
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Reply By: Priscilla G - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 10:08

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 10:08
stay at Penong Caravan park. Very clean & tidy. Go for a drive to Point Sinclair,the lake on the way there, and Cactus.Ask the locals...they are very friendly people.Don,t miss on the way to Streaky,Devonport Ck,Laura bay,Smoky Bay ,Point Brown,Haslam
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 13:28

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 13:28
The Penong CP was a very pleasant surprise. We had always fuelled and showered at a Ceduna servo (even though we knew diesel was cheaper at Penong), then camped in the bush which is our preferred style of camping. Last time we fuelled at Penong and went to the CP. It is so well kept yet quiet being away from the highway and very reasonably priced; we will choose it over the bush on future trips.

There is honesty box camping right by the jetty a Haslam - a lovely spot. Flush toilets and barbecue. It used to have showers and electricity but these were removed after money not going into the honesty box to cover the electricity used by campers, who were also outstaying the prescribed time limit. We had the camp all to ourselves, but we do not need power.

The CP at Elliston by the jetty was our choice of CPs on the Eyre.

Mh
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Reply By: Livin On The Road - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 21:22

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 21:22
Haven't been that way yet, but always nice to hear from another travelling family, enjoy your trip.Check out ABC's Nullabor podcast,

Amy
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Reply By: lizzyb74 - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 22:29

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 22:29
Thank you all for this brilliant info.

Motherhen - my sons and I rode our bikes down to trhe Old Telegraph Station at Eucla this morning (my husband came and picked us up at the end so we didn't need to ride back up the hill bless 'im!!). Great spot - thanks for the suggestion.

We left Eucla after this and travelled East, stopping at a couple of wonderful Bight turnoffs including the one at Head of the Bight. They were very friendlyat the Head and we thought that we should have stopped here for lunch (would have cost $30 tops for the 4 of us, and we would have had an awesome view; instead we had lunch at Nullabor Roadhouse which cost us $60 - food was great but the price hurt!).

Tonight we've made it to Fowler's Bay. The CP is lovely but power seems a bit dodgy. It is fantastic while typing this to hear the waves crash only metres away.

Tomorrow we're going to try a spot of fishing from the jetty, try some sand driving and boarding and just chill out a bit. We've only been on the road a week and have only stayed anywhere for one night so far - we have a pop up van and 2 boys (6 and 8) so I am REALLY lookjing forward to our two night stay here!

Amy - I searched the ABC website for their Nullabor podcast but couldn't find it. Could you let me know where it is??
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Follow Up By: Miss Destiny - Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 14:00

Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 14:00
Hi

The ABC podcast sounded great as I also want to do the Nullarbor trip. Here is what I found.

ABC Nullabor podcast

Thanks

Kath
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