Ceduna
Town
Population 2304
The name Ceduna is derived from the Aboriginal word 'chedoona', meaning resting place, which is apt for those who have just traversed the Nullarbor. Ceduna is also the last major town for those about to embark on the journey west – the place to check your car and stock up on food and water. The difficulty of obtaining supplies and provisions has a long history around Ceduna. Denial Bay, where the original settlement of McKenzie was situated, was where large cargo ships brought provisions for the early pioneers. Ceduna was established later, in 1896, and is situated on the shores of Murat Bay with sandy coves, sheltered bays and offshore islands. In the 1850s there was also a whaling station on St Peter Island (visible from Thevenard).
Visitor Information
58 Poynton St; (08) 8625 3343 or 1800 639 413
Nearby national parks
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Lake Gairdner National Park
The vast whiteness of Lake Gairdner rests in the foothills on the northern side of the Gawler Ranges. This is one of the largest salt lakes...more
Nearby towns
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Streaky Bay
A holiday town, fishing port and agricultural centre for the cereal-growing hinterland. The bay was first sighted in 1627 by Dutch...more -
Wudinna
The enormous silos in Wudinna are indicative of the town's major grain industry, predominantly wheat and barley, grown here since the...more -
Elliston
Nestled in a range of hills on the shores of picturesque Waterloo Bay is the small community of Elliston. The waters of the bay used to...more
In Town
Old Schoolhouse National Trust Museum: pioneering artefacts, including those from British atomic testing at Maralinga; closed Sun; Park Tce. Ceduna Arts Cultural Centre: original paintings, local pottery and ceramics; open Mon–Fri; cnr Eyre Hwy and Kuhlmann St. Oyster tours: offered to Denial Bay, Thevenard and Smoky Bay; book at visitor centre. Ceduna Oyster Bar: fresh oysters year-round; western outskirts, on Eyre Hwy. Local beaches: swimming, boating, waterskiing and fishing. The foreshore is an ideal spot for walks and picnics (sharks have been known to frequent these waters – seek local advice). Encounter Coastal Trail: 3.8 km interpretive trail from the foreshore to Thevenard.
Nearby
Great Australian Bight Marine Park The park preserves the fragile ecosystem of the Great Australian Bight. It has spectacular wildlife sights, including the breeding and calving of southern right whales from June to Oct. Spend a day observing these giant creatures from the viewing platform at Head of Bight. There are also spectacular views of the Bunda Cliffs, which begin at the head and trail all the way to the WA border. Whale-watching permits are purchased from the visitor centre on-site. Interpretive centre also on-site. 300 km W.Nullarbor National Park Aboriginal culture is closely linked with this park's network of caves, part of the largest karst landscape in the world (Murrawijinie Caves north of Nullarbor Roadhouse are the only caves accessible to the public). Vast and mainly flat, the park's most beautiful scenery is along the coast where the cliffs stretch for 200 km overlooking the Southern Ocean. Visitors should take care along the unstable cliff edges. Rare and endangered species such as the Major Mitchell cockatoo and the peregrine falcon are often sighted. Watch out for the southern hairy-nosed wombat. 300 km W.Thevenard: a deep-sea port that handles bulk grain, gypsum and salt, as well as a large fishing fleet noted for whiting hauls. Bill's Seafood Tours gives an insight into the commercial fishing industry; contact visitor centre for details. A 3.6 km interpretive trail, 'Tracks Along the Coast', runs from the Sailing Club to Pinky Point; 4 km SW. Denial Bay: visit the McKenzie ruins to see an early pioneering home and the heritage-listed landing where cargo was brought to shore. Denial Bay jetty is good for fishing and crabbing; 14 km W. Davenport Creek: see pure-white sandhills and swim in the sheltered creek. Beyond the sandhills is excellent surfing and waterskiing; 40 km W. South-east towns and beaches: Decres Bay for swimming, snorkelling and rock-fishing (10 km SE); Laura Bay with cove-swimming near the conservation park (18 km SE); Smoky Bay for safe swimming, fishing and boating (40 km SE); Point Brown for surf beaches, salmon fishing and coastal walks (56 km SE). Penong: more than 40 windmills draw the town's water from underground. See historical memorabilia and local crafts at the Penong Woolshed Museum. Camel day rides and safaris on offer; 73 km W. Cactus Beach: renowned for its 'perfect' surfing breaks; 94 km W. Fowlers Bay: this town, surrounded by a conservation park, offers long, sandy beaches and excellent fishing; 139 km SW. North-east conservation parks and reserves: comprising Yellabinna, Yumbarra, Pureba, Nunnyah and Koolgera, an extensive wilderness area of dunes and mallee country. Rare species of wildlife live here, including dunnarts and mallee fowl. 4WD is essential, and visitors must be experienced in outback travel; north of Ceduna. Googs Track: 4WD trek from Ceduna to the Trans-Australia railway track (154 km N) through Yumbarra Conservation Park and Yellabinna Regional Reserve; contact visitor centre for details.
Campsites around town
Wittelbee camping area (bush camping) 11 km
A small camping area with designated sites for self-sufficient campers, follow the signposted route from Decres Bay Rd. Snorkelling in the sheltered bays around the headland can be good in calm conditions, and the... Find out moreLaura Bay camping area (bush camping) 19 km
Situated 21 km south-east of Ceduna, there is alternative access to these sites for bush campers via Decres Bay Rd. Only use the designated sites.... Find out moreDavenport Creek camping area 24 km
Home to some of the West Coast’s finest surfing and fishing, this remote outlier 41 km west of Ceduna has it all: pristine beaches, beautiful dunes, wildlife-rich mangroves and glorious coastal landscapes.... Find out morePoint Bell camping area 51 km
Located 87 km west of Ceduna, reached from Shady La off Denial Bay Rd, this camping area is suitable for off-road camper trailers. Bring firewood and water, and use designated camping sites.... Find out moreAcraman Creek camping area 52 km
You’ll find the camping area 16 km south of the Flinders Hwy and 53 km north of Streaky Bay. Camping here requires a permit, and you need to come equipped with firewood, water and preferably a gas/fuel stove.... Find out morePureba camping area (bush camping) 59 km
This camping area is 15 km north of the Eyre Hwy, reached from Mudamuckla. With no facilities, you need to be fully prepared for bush camping.... Find out moreHaslam Jetty camping area 66 km
This small camping area is just 100 m from the jetty in the historic port settlement of Haslam Jetty. You’ll find it 40 km north of Streaky Bay and 33 km south-west of Wirulla, off Flinders Hwy. Bring your own... Find out moreGoogs Lake camping area (bush camping) 67 km
It might be salt but this remote lake feels like an oasis in a sea of dunes. There’s a surprising mix of vegetation and terrain to explore, plus some welcome shade. The lakes are 76.6 km north of the Eyre Hwy. A... Find out moreTuckamore camping area (bush camping) 84 km
Bush camping for self-sufficient campers is available from 4WD-only Edwards Rd off the Eyre Hwy. Contact Ceduna NPWSA for updates on track conditions.... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Ceduna Foreshore Caravan Park 1 km
This is a tidy park, centrally located and just across the road from the beach. It has good basic amenities and is within walking distance of the shops and most services. The park is a popular spot for anglers and there... Find out moreCeduna Shelly Beach Caravan Park 3 km
Situated on the beach just 3 km from the town centre, this place has good snorkelling, swimming and fishing. The park has developed over recent years and we now recommend it as our choice in this area.... Find out moreStreaky Bay Foreshore Tourist Park 89 km
Located on the north-facing shallow waters of Streaky Bay, this park has numerous waterfront sites where tinnies can be launched from the beach. There are several fish-cleaning stations along the foreshore and a... Find out moreVenus Bay Caravan Park 155 km
Situated in the centre of town and right on the beachfront, the park is a popular fishing spot. On a good day it is possible to land a bag limit within a couple of hundred metres of the park. Bookings are required from... Find out moreElliston Waterloo Bay Tourist Park 203 km
Elliston is a quiet holiday location and this is a neat and tidy park adjacent to the beach. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-stay applies at Christmas and Easter.... Find out moreEco-friendly places to stay around town
Baird Bay Ocean Eco Apartments 131 km
Located on the Eyre Peninsula’s north-west coast, the two rammed-earth units here were architecturally designed and are suitable for families and large groups. They are right by the sea. All water is recycled.... Find out moreRest areas around town
Watraba Rest Area 43 km
25 km E of Penong (L) or 47 km W of Ceduna (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S31 56.463 E133 16.456... Find out morePuntabie Rest Area 44 km
45 km E of Ceduna (R) or 48 km W of Wirrulla (L) Large area just off the highway among some trees. Limited shade. GPS: S32 12.611 E134 07.837... Find out moreHaslam Camp Area 66 km
T/O 40 km N of Streaky Bay (L) or 69 km S of Ceduna (R) Small camping area near the foreshore by the jetty 2 kilometres west of the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 30.622 E134 12.826... Find out morePerlubie Rest Area 75 km
80 km E of Ceduna (R) or 13 km W of Wirrulla (L) Large secluded area just off the highway in the scrub. Good shade. GPS: S32 24.792 E134 24.120... Find out moreCohen Rest Area 82 km
65 km E of Nundroo (L) or 15 km W of Penong (L) Large area well off the highway among the trees. Good shade. GPS: S31 51.672 E132 51.763... Find out morePerlubie Beach Park Area 83 km
T/O 19 km N of Streaky Bay (L) or 90 km SE of Ceduna (R) Small foreshore parking area located 600 metres south-west of the village. GPS: S32 39.666 E134 17.709... Find out moreStreaky Bay Park Area 90 km
North side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S32 47.717 E134 13.094 ... Find out moreEyre's Water Hole Rest Area 94 km
58 km NW of Port Kenny (L) or 4 km S of Streaky Bay (R) Large area just off the highway among a few trees. Limited shade. GPS: S32 49.077 E134 14.764... Find out moreCungena West Rest Area 106 km
23 km E of Wirrulla (R) or 24 km W of Poochera (L) Large area adjacent to the highway around a few trees. GPS: S32 33.475 E134 40.671... Find out moreFowlers Bay Road Rest Area 113 km
31 km E of Nundroo (R) or 49 km W of Penong (L) Large area just off the road in the scrub. Limited shade. GPS: S31 49.620 E132 32.189... Find out moreMurphy's Haystacks Park Area 125 km
T/O 24 km NW of Port Kenny (L) or 38 km SE of Streaky Bay (R) Small parking area 2 kilometres off highway on private property at a group of unusual rock formations. Limited shade. GPS: S33 00.999 E134 29.479... Find out morePoochera Rest Area 127 km
West side of town Large area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S32 43.296 E134 50.060... Find out moreNundroo East Rest Area 133 km
12 km E of Nundroo (L) or 68 km W of Penong (R) Small area just off the highway among the trees. Good shade. GPS: S31 49.613 E132 18.865... Find out moreNallanippi Rest Area 147 km
138 km E of Nullarbor (R) or 6 km W of Nundroo (L) Small area just off the highway in the scrub. Good shade. GPS: S31 45.195 E132 11.081... Find out morePort Kenny Park Area 150 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 10.055 E134 41.082 ... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Oysterfest: community festival including street parade
and fireworks; Oct long weekend.
Ceduna Races: horseracing; Dec and Jan.
