Peter and Christine's Australian Road Trips

After finding a ‘real’ coffee in Port Lincoln, we headed out clinging to the coastline where at all possible. Thanks to South Australian Tourism (which I now consider to be the best-organised tourist body I’ve yet to come across), we were guided to the best spots to view the coastline. The first of these was at Kiana Beach which is also a memorial to a young fisherman who perished in the ocean – Leo Cummins.

We gazed in wonder at our first sighting of the rugged cliffs that comprise much of this landscape. The composition of these cliffs of various sediments allows the action of the waves to gouge out and undercut the cliff face meaning that sections are continually collapsing and falling into the sea.

A variety of interesting formations have been created because of this, which we saw at various points as we travelled further west over the next couple of days. The first was at Locks Well Beach (near Elliston).

The next was a little further along the coast called The Tub and Woolshed Caves, both of which are beautifully coloured by the distinctive limestone and granite formations common to these areas. Different formations and structures created by wind and waves give each area its own character.

After staying at Fowler’s Bay (next blog) the next morning we visited the Head of the Bight. Another different view of the Bight coastline, with a boardwalk that allowed spectacular views both to the east and the west. Here it slopes downwards before the cliffs drop away into the ocean. The action of the waves still work erodes the cliffs leaving interesting but precarious formations. At the entrance to the display centre, there was a whale’s head skeleton that gave you a fair idea of just how huge the whole beast would have been. This particular spot is where the Southern Right Whales gather. Unfortunately, we were a little early in the season to see this amazing congregation.

Just a while further along the road, we came across what was to be our last sighting of The Bight from Bunda Cliffs. As well as the spectacular views, I was also fascinated by the flora, the unusual succulents and other ground-hugging plants here. The vegetation and landscape were, again, totally different.