Great Australian Bight Safaris South Australia Australia

Extensive range of tours to suit all tastes, including Memory Cove, Coffin Bay, Sleaford Sandhill, four wheel drive vehicle fishing day tours, wildlife and whale watching. They also operate extended tours and safaris of the Eyre Peninsula.

Touring Options

Eyres Wild Coast Five Day Tour – SH06

Escape, Explore, Encounter the magnificent west coast of South Australia. Follow its history in the footsteps of Matthew Flinders and John Eyre. Visit the Memory Cove Wilderness area and the panoramic Sleaford Dunes. Swim with sealions at Baird Bay and take in the coast of Coffin Bay, Elliston, Streaky Bay, Smoky Bay and finish at Ceduna. Take an extra two days to see the whales at Head of Bight (June to September).

. Operates:
. By arrangement.

Lower Eyre Peninsula Coffin Bay Day Tour – GABS11

Step back in time to experience the lifestyle of a bygone era. See the Tod Museum and Reservoir, explore the Koppio Smithy Museum. We set off through the changing landscapes of Lower Eyre Peninsula, through the Koppio Hills to Marble Range and Farm Beach. Then on to the rugged Point Avoid in Coffin Bay National Park, to take in an unsurpassed coastal vista. Visit the township of Coffin Bay, before heading back to the panoramic lookout at Winter’s Hill and finally Port Lincoln.

Operates:
. Tuesday to Sunday, departure times on application.

Eyres Wild Coast Three Day Tour – SH06

Escape, Explore, Encounter the magnificent west coast of South Australia. Follow its history in the footsteps of Matthew Flinders and John Eyre. Visit the Memory Cove Wilderness area and the panoramic Sleaford Dunes. Swim with sealions at Baird Bay and take in the coast of Coffin Bay, Elliston, Streaky Bay, Smoky Bay and finish at Ceduna. Take an extra two days to see the whales at Head of Bight (June to September).

. Operates:
. By arrangement.

Whalers Way and Port Lincoln Town Tour – GABS10

A visit to Whalers Way is a breathtaking experience indeed. A wonderland of cliffs, blowholes, crevasses, caves and beaches is yours to explore. Seasonal wildflowers and wildlife abounds. You will visit Cape Wiles, Black’s Lookout, Cape Carnot, the Old Whalemen’s Lookout and Theakstone’s Crevasse. Then back to town for the best of Port Lincoln – Winter’s Hill Lookout, Hollywood houses, the wharf complex, marina and South Australia’s largest fishing fleet.

Operates:
. Daily, at approximately 1000 to 1700.

Port Lincoln Town 2 Hour Tour – GABS01

Tour the city sights, view a spectacular coastal panorama and encounter the rich history of Port Lincoln. Visit Winter’s Hill Lookout, Hollywood houses, the wharf complex and the marina which houses South Australia’s largest fishing fleet.

Operates:
. Daily, at approximately 1000 to 1200.

Nature In The Dark Evening Tour – GABS05

Take the opportunity to follow some of the smaller creatures inhabiting Lincoln National Park, now that the Ark on Eyre project has completed several years. You can see kangaroos and possibly a Woylie (Brush Tailed Bettong). Who knows what you might come across, a Southern Stone curlew, a Tawny Frogmouth, a Nightjar or even an owl? There could be bats and the reptile and insect worlds come alive at night. This is a good opportunity to give the kids a different experience and see nature for real, instead of a documentary on television.

Operates:
. On demand, 2030 to 2330 approximately.

Whale Watch and West Coast 3 Day Tour – GABS15

Journey to Australia’s premier Southern Right Whale breeding ground at the Head of the Great Australian Bight. This informative, personalised tour will create the experience of a lifetime. Perhaps the best whale watching anywhere in the world, the sheer cliffs at the Head of the Bight put you in the box seat to witness this amazing event. Every winter (June to September) Southern Right Whales migrate northwards from their sub-Antarctic feeding grounds to the warm waters below the towering Nullarbor cliffs. From your vantage point over the calving and nursery area, you can observe newborn calves sheltering with their mothers. Watch as the males (bulls) breach spectacularly out of the water and jostle one another in courtship displays. More than fifty whales congregate in this area each winter – a guarantee of good viewing. Learn about whale behaviour, and recognise individual whales by their markings and callosities (distinctive white growths) on their heads.

This tour is designed to take in the best South Australia’s West Coast has to offer. View the sea lions at Point Labatt or swim with them at Baird Bay. See nesting Ospreys and a chance of whales cruising the coast on their way to the Head of Bight where you will see them with their calves. Not to mention visiting caves and the taking in the interesting history the region has to offer.

. Operates:
. Tour departs Port Lincoln, departure dates and times on application.

Memory Cove Day Tour – GABS07

Venture through the vast Sleaford sand dunes to the magnificent wilderness area of Memory Cove, a beautiful sheltered inlet and the perfect lunch stop. Learn about the rich history of the area and the tragedy that befell the crew of the Investigator ship as Matthew Flinders charted the region in 1802. Visit the Memory Cove Wilderness Area, and hear about the reintroduction of Brush Tailed Bettongs (Woylie) and Mallee Fowl and other projects.

Operates:
. Daily, at approximately 0900 to 1700.

Round The Bight 9 Day Tour – GABS19

See the Great Australian Bight in all its glory from whales to wildflowers, starting in Port Lincoln and travelling to Esperance in Western Australia, over eight days. This is not your average trip across the Nullarbor. You will be travelling by four-wheel drive in groups of two to six people and taking the ‘back roads’. You will see places the average Nullarbor traveller never dreamed of, and you will be staying either in motel or hostel accommodation.

. Take advantage of the knowledge of our experienced guides, travelling through a region that is unique in the world. It will be the cooler months of the year, but this is when this country is at its glorious best. You will see Southern Right Whales, numerous species of birds and wildflowers, and travel through an area steeped in history. Follow Edward John Eyre’s epic expedition and visit the lonely grave of John Baxter (murdered on Eyre’s expedition). Along this route is the old Overland Telegraph Line, surveyed by John Forrest. You will even stay at the remote Eyre Telegraph Station.

. Feel the starkness of the Nullarbor and view the giant caverns under it. Experience the fury of the Southern Ocean smashing onto rugged coast and endless cliffs. Look for the graceful oceanic birds as they soar the cliff edges after a storm, or the Ospreys and bottle-nosed dolphins feeding in the secluded waters they prefer. Look for the Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat, or stand on the open plain on a frosty night and be transfixed by the incredible beauty of a starry night in the crystal clear air of the outback sky. The diversity of this tour is second to none and it is a must for those who want to enjoy the freedom and rugged beauty of this region, but still enjoy the comforts of civilisation.

. Day One – Tour Port Lincoln and have lunch. Travel to Memory Cove. Overnight accommodation is at Port Lincoln.

. Day Two – Depart for Coffin Bay. Along the way you will visit Elliston, Murphy’s Haystacks and Point Labatt. Overnight accommodation is at Streaky Bay.

. Day Three – Depart for Ceduna. Along the way we visit Fowlers Bay to see the whales. Overnight accommodation is at Nullarbor.

. Day Four – We head off to see the whales again and see some historic cliffs. We also spend some time at the Eucla Telegraph Station. Overnight accommodation is at Eucla.

. Day Five – Today we visit the following attractions – Abrakurrie Cave, Madura and then we travel via Scarp to the Eyre Bird Observatory. Overnight accommodation is at the Eyre Bird Observatory.

. Day Six – Travel to Twilight Cove and return to Eyre Bird Observatory via Cocklebiddy. Overnight accommodation at the Eyre Bird Observatory.

. Day Seven – Travel to Baxter’s Grave. Overnight accommodation at Balladonia.

. Day Eight – Travel the Parmango Road to Orleans Bay and Cape LeGrande. Overnight accommodation in Esperance.

. Day Nine – Tour of Esperance.

. Operates:
. On demand, departure dates and times on application only.

Eyres Wild Coast 3 Day Tour – GABS04

Escape, explore, and encounter the magnificent West Coast of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Follow its history with a visit to Memory Cove. Learn about Matthew Flinders. Take in the restored nature of Lincoln National Park with its Wilderness Area and the re-introduced Bettongs and Mallee Fowl. Travel the panoramic Sleaford Dunes and discover how powerful the sea is changing the coastal features. Sample some of the large range of seafood in Port Lincoln, Australia’s largest fishing port, has to offer. Visit the seaside towns of Coffin Bay, Elliston, Venus Bay, Streaky Bay, Smoky Bay and Ceduna, plus all the coastal wonders in between. Swim with the sea lions at Baird Bay and enjoy a night at this secluded fishing village. If you do not wish to swim with the sea lions, they can still be viewed at nearby Point Labatt.

. Day One – Depart Port Lincoln at 0800, day trip visiting Memory Cove including travelling the Sleaford Bay dunes and historic Memory Cove. Overnight Port Lincoln.

. Day Two – Explore South Australia’s West Coast including Coffin Bay, Elliston, Talia, Venus Bay and Murphy’s Haystacks. Overnight Baird Bay units.

. Day Three – Dive and swim with sea lions and dolphins. (Weather permitting. Otherwise a land-based alternative is offered.) After lunch travel to Sceales Bay, Streaky Bay, Acramans Creek, Point Brown, Smoky Bay and Ceduna.

. Operates:
. Tour departs Port Lincoln at 0800 on day one, departure dates on application.

Sleaford Sandhill Half Day Tour – GABS03

The crystal blue of Sleaford Mere greets you as you embark on this sand dune adventure. Spectacular ancient sand hills formed by the awesome power of wind and waves rise above the vehicle as you wind along a narrow passage through the maze of sand. Learn how the coastal plants cling to life before emerging at the rugged Wanna Cliffs, where the Southern Ocean pounds against the shore.

Operates:
. Daily, at approximately 0900 to 1200.

Port Lincoln 4 Day 3 Night Package – GABS16

Depart Adelaide and spend four days discovering the magnificent wilderness areas and spectacularly rugged coastline of Port Lincoln and the Southern Eyre Peninsula on this all-inclusive four-day package.

. Day One – Depart Adelaide Airport in an air-conditioned turboprop aircraft for Port Lincoln. Arrive in Port Lincoln where you will be transferred to your accommodation. Take the rest of the day to explore Port Lincoln.

. Day Two – Enjoy breakfast as the sun rises across Boston Island, and then head off into the sandhills of Sleaford Bay to see the spectacularly rugged coastline as you make your way through a magnificent wilderness area to historic Memory Cove. Enjoy the many sheltered bays and beaches of Lincoln National Park as you travel in our air-conditioned four-wheel drive vehicle.

. Day Three – We tour southern Eyre Peninsula and visit the historic National Trust collection of bygone days at Koppio, and then travel to the ranges on the west coast. We travel via Farm Beach to Coffin Bay, skirting the myriad of backwaters in this area. Then see the vast beauty of Point Avoid and the Coffin Bay National Park. Travel back to Port Lincoln through the diverse bushland and take in the views of all you have travelled from Winter Hill Lookout.

. Each evening you will be returned to your accommodation where you can select one of the many fine restaurants available for dinner. Port Lincoln is famous for fresh seafood and a large selection is yours for the asking.

. Day Four – On this last morning it is your time to take in the many town attractions in Port Lincoln and enjoy a casual or formal lunch in the town before departing for Adelaide.

Operates:
. On demand, departure dates and times on application only

Gawler Ranges Day Tour – GABS02

Eyre Peninsula is recognised as an area where the sea and Outback meet. You can now take the opportunity to visit an area many have heard of, but have not been able to visit, the remote wonder of the Gawler Ranges.

This tour departs from Port Lincoln at 0730, with you being picked up from your accommodation. Then travel via Central Eyre Peninsula to Wudinna and enter the Gawler Ranges National Park via Mount Sturt, (on fire ban days via the main entrance). Visit the Old Paney Homestead and Policeman’s Point.

Travel the Mattera, LP and Conical Hill Tracks, visiting the Old Pondanna farm. Visit the spectacular Yandinga Gorge and then on to the Organ Pipes, both of which have significant Rhyolite formations. In other locations these could also be called a Giants Causeway. You will then return via Minnipa to Port Lincoln.

This is a long day and you will not be home until 2000. We will cover over 600 kilometres, however if you are short on time and want to see this area, here is an excellent opportunity to travel with experienced guides who can take you to some of the best, there is to see, in the Gawler Ranges. An abundance of wildlife, with emus, kangaroos, both grey and red, euros (Wallaroos) and perhaps even a Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby, high among the hills. Other creatures to observe include the Pink Cockatoo (Major Mitchell) regularly seen feeding on the ground, or catch a glimpse as the numerous, Port Lincoln and Mulga Parrots fly from roost to roost among the mallee and black oak woodlands.

Follow the history of both the exploration of this area, and see in a day, what would have taken weeks to accomplish 150 years ago. Learn about Eyre, Darke, Warburton and Hack as they explored this region. Follow the early pastoral enterprises and the tales of tragedy and disasters that were commonplace. Today, with the creation of the Gawler Ranges National Park, there are many new things being learned about how fragile this harsh land really is.

Operates:
. Daily, at approximately 0730 to 2000, subject to road conditions.

Wildlife At Sunset Afternoon Tour – GABS09

A touch of romance and adventure as we journey into historic Uley. We visit the remains of John McDouall Stuart’s Retreat and see the wild west coast from Shoal Point. View the spectacular sunset over rugged islands.

Operates:
. Daily, during daylight saving months December to March at 1800 or later, depending on sunset.

Eyres Wild Coast 5 Day Tour – GABS06

Escape, explore, and encounter the magnificent West Coast of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Follow its history with a visit to Memory Cove. Learn about Matthew Flinders. Take in the restored nature of Lincoln National Park with its Wilderness Area and the re-introduced Bettongs and Mallee Fowl. Travel the panoramic Sleaford Dunes and discover how powerful the sea is changing the coastal features. Sample some of the large range of seafood in Port Lincoln, Australia’s largest fishing port, has to offer. Visit the seaside towns of Coffin Bay, Elliston, Venus Bay, Streaky Bay, Smoky Bay and Ceduna, plus all the coastal wonders in between. Swim with the sea lions at Baird Bay and enjoy a night at this secluded fishing village. If you do not wish to swim with the sea lions, they can still be viewed at nearby Point Labatt.

. Day One – Depart Port Lincoln at 0800, day trip visiting Memory Cove including travelling the Sleaford Bay dunes and historic Memory Cove. Overnight Port Lincoln

. Day Two – Explore South Australia’s West Coast including Coffin Bay Elliston, Talia, Venus Bay and Murphy’s haystacks. Overnight Baird Bay units.

. Day Three – Dive and swim with sea lions and dolphins. (Weather permitting. Otherwise a land-based alternative is offered.) After lunch travel to Sceales Bay, Streaky Bay, Acramans Creek, Point Brown, Smoky Bay and Ceduna. Overnight in Ceduna.

. Day Four – Travel to Nullarbor for the whales. Overnight Nullarbor.

. Day Five – More Whales, caves, Dog Fence, Fowlers Bay. Depart Ceduna.

. Operates:
. Tour departs Port Lincoln at 0800 on day one, departure dates on application.

Coffin Bay Peninsula Day Tour – GABS08

Enjoy one of the most unique and untouched areas on Eyre Peninsula. Coffin Bay National Park is home to the osprey and wedge-tailed eagle, kangaroos and emus. Marvel at the rugged coastline, soak up the natural beauty, and enjoy the tranquillity of The Pool. Learn about the management of the Sheoak Woodlands and the success of healthy ecosystems against introduced pests.

Operates:
. Daily, at approximately 0800 to 1900.

Website: www.greatsafaris.com.au