Understand the Eyre Peninsula

In the far west of the region, Maralinga holds a powerful and complex history. After being declared off limits in the 1960s for the purpose of nuclear testing, lands around Maralinga were returned to the traditional owners, some thirty years later. Maralinga Tours now offers tours to this remote corner of the world for a very unique experience – it's perfectly safe to visit after all this time.

Also out west, you can discover something to take home with you. Arts Ceduna showcases work of Indigenous artists from across the Far West of South Australia. Enjoy artworks inspired by connection to the land, the natural resources and the ancestral stories. Located within the Ceduna Aboriginal Culture Centre, this premier hub of Aboriginal art was established in 2001, and currently supports around 130 artists through skills development, marketing and sales of artwork to foster economic benefit.

Artists hail from as far as Oak Valley, Yalata, Koonibba and Scotdesco, drawing inspiration from the diverse landscapes of land, sea and desert. Now, with the opening of the The Mint Bush Gallery & Cafe in the heart of Ceduna, these incredible artworks have a dedicated space to be showcased and celebrated. This new gallery enhances the visibility of local artists and provides visitors with an enriched cultural experience (and coffee!). Please note the Ceduna Aboriginal Culture Centre has relocated while they rebuild their facilities. In the interim, Arts Ceduna has been relocated to Surpry's Mall, Shop 4, 35 Poynton Street, with limited opening hours while this transition takes place.

Untamed Escapes in partnership with Maba Idi Cultural Tours, invites you on a unique day tour to discover the rich Aboriginal heritage of the southern Eyre Peninsula. Join proud Barngarla woman Emmalene as she shares her knowledge, stories, and deep connection to the land and cultural sites of Port Lincoln / Galinyala. 

In the spirit of reconciliation and accountability, stop by the Elliston Reconciliation Monument on the Elliston Coastal Trail. This monument overlooking the cliffs acknowledges the death of Aboriginal people at Waterloo Bay in the 1840s. It's a place of reflection on our shared past.

There are a lot of museums scattered around the Eyre Peninsula, from local memory-troves managed by volunteers at places like the Streaky Bay National Trust Museum and the Powerhouse Museum (also in Streaky Bay) to well-known locations like the Axel Stenross Museum in Port Lincoln, where you can learn about the area's rich maritime history. There's even a museum dedicated to the King himself, Elvis, in Whyalla! Visit the Koppio Smithy Museum to step back in time, nestled in the beautiful Koppio Hills between Tumby Bay and Cummins, or the Whyalla Maritime Museum where you can wander around the HMAS Whyalla which is now firmly land-locked.

In the Whyalla Maritime building, discover one of Australia's largest H0 gauge model railways, featuring over 400 metres of track showcasing routes from Whyalla to Iron Knob, Port Augusta and Adelaide. Watch iron ore, grain and iconic passenger trains like The Ghan and Indian Pacific travel through landscapes that shift from semi-arid outback to the rolling green hills of the mid-north. Built and maintained by the Whyalla Model Railway Society, the display continues to evolve for visitors to enjoy. The museum is set within tranquil native gardens, complete with BBQ facilities, shady lawns, a boardwalk and pond, plus historic features including a 19th-century anchor and a 1943 shipyard crane hook.

The Lock and Districts Heritage Museum is right in the centre of the Peninsula, while Mill Cottage in Port Lincoln and Laura Homestead in Whyalla are old pioneer homes you can explore. They're all great places to step back in time and learn a little about the area's pioneering history – it might open the kid's eyes!

Street art blooms across the Eyre Peninsula, from enormous silo artworks that tower overhead to hidden murals around Tumby Bay or found unexpectedly in small country towns like Kimba. Follow the Street Art Trail, a map identifying all the artworks you can discover – sharks, leafy sea dragons, pioneering landscapes, local flora, sunsets and local identities. 

You can step into the story of Kimba with a self-guided Arts & Heritage Trail – a walking journey through the town that weaves together vibrant public art, local culture and fascinating moments from its history. Or if you're on the west coast, Elliston's Clifftop Drive displays some amazing art in the form of sculptures — you can walk or drive this depending on how you're feeling, and it's perfect for photos. It's part of the greater Elliston Coastal Trail. Beyond the streets, the region's creative spirit continues in its galleries and art spaces.

In Kimba you'll find a group of local 'makers' at Workshop26, where a group of women have converted an old tractor shop into a haven for micro-businesses. Part retail space, part artisan workshop, part event space, this little shop is home to a collection of shipping containers where you can purchase local pottery, vintage wares, homemade soaps and candles, produce and preserves and more. They'll give you a warm welcome too!

In Denial Bay, you can visit a working artist's studio by appointment for an intimate look at locally inspired pieces, while in Port Lincoln the Nautilus Arts Centre showcases exhibitions, performances and touring works in a vibrant cultural hub. You'll also find smaller galleries and studios dotted throughout the peninsula, each reflecting the landscapes and communities that inspire them.