Smoky Bay is a popular coastal town to visit from Ceduna. Just 44km southeast along the coast of the Great Australian Bight, Smoky Bay is a former port town and important fishing and seafood hub of the Eyre Peninsula. It’s well-known for its aquaculture industry, as well as its quiet atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing after a long drive.
The trip from Ceduna to Smoky Bay on the Flinders Highway is a great way to explore more of the incredible west coast of the peninsula. For those interested in fishing and exploring natural landscapes, there are some interesting stops to see along the way as part of a self-drive tour.
NOTE: This itinerary is designed to be used along with our map of Ceduna where you can view all locations and roads and informational cards and videos to assist and enhance your adventure.
Ceduna Shopping
🔵 Ceduna Furniture
~ 🔹 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳 ~
Spoil Mum for Mother's Day this Sunday with unique gifts from Ceduna Furniture.
Call in this week and peruse the large range of gifts, homewares and furniture and pick up that special gift for Sunday.
`
🌐 #cedunashopping
Ceduna Map
Itinerary for Ceduna to Smoky Bay self-drive tour
Stop 1: Shelly Beach
Just outside of Ceduna town, you’ll find Shelly Beach which is a picturesque sandy beach perfect for a stroll, or even a fish when the water is in. There are a number of short walks here if you want to stretch your legs. From the 2.4km Dune Walk loop to walking along the beach with your pooch, it’s a quiet place for a morning stroll. To embark on one of the dune walks simply stop into the reception office at Ceduna Shelly Beach Caravan Park and they’ll set you on your way.
Ceduna Travel
SA Premium Oysters
~ 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳 ~
The 'Shucking Shed Tour' is just one of the ways that you can experience a working oyster farm. See link below for details on this tour and others offered by SA Premium Oyster Farm Tours.
View tours . . .
sapremiumoysters.com.au/
`
🌐 #cedunashopping #cedunatravel
#oysters #tours #oysterfarm #smokybay
Stop 2: Wittelbee Conservation Park and Decres Bay
A secluded and out-of-the-way bay just south of Ceduna, Decres Bay and Wittelbee Conservation Park is a great spot to stop for a swim or fish. It’s located just off the Flinders Highway but is a nice detour that includes beautiful views across the ocean to Saint Peter Island and Saint Francis Island.
There is also a campground managed by SA Parks inside the bay area if you want to extend your stay in this quiet spot on the Eyre Peninsula.
Stop 3: Laura Bay Conservation Park
In the next bay over, you’ll find Laura Bay Conservation Park. This protected park and bay area is located just 24km north of Smoky Bay. It’s an important natural habitat and feeding ground for sea birds, which migrate to the area from the northern hemisphere every year.
You can explore the area on foot and enjoy some bird watching. Otherwise, there is also a secluded swimming spot in the bay, which is a peaceful place to enjoy the calm waters. If you’d prefer to stay overnight and extend your stay, there is a SA Parks managed campground which must be booked online in advance.
Stop 4: Oyster Farm Tours
One of the highlights of visiting Smoky Bay is having the opportunity to tour a working oyster farm that welcome visitors to learn more about the growing process and taste some of the freshest oysters straight from the water.
Stop 5: Smoky Bay
Smoky Bay is a small town on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula. It’s located just off the Flinders Highway and is the final stop in this self-drive tour from Ceduna. Fishing is definitely one of the top activities in Smoky Bay, which you can do off the jetty in town or further out to sea with a public boat ramp available.
You’ll find a few amenities for travellers in Smoky Bay, including a BBQ and picnic area, general store, and 18 hole golf course. There are also two caravan parks and a few holiday homes if you want to stay the night in town.
Return to Ceduna
You can easily return to Ceduna via Flinders Highway instead of following the coast back again (in fact you can bypass the experiences above and simply embark on the 20-minute drive along the highway to get to Smoky Bay). The highway heads slightly inland and passes between agricultural farmland and by a small roadside museum after Laura Bay and before turning onto the Eyre Highway and head into Ceduna township. The Paddock Museum has a large display of old pieces and machinery showcasing the farming history of the area. It’s just 10km out of Ceduna and makes for a quick photo stop before arriving back in town. And if history is your thing you may like to stop by Ceduna Airport to view the monument of the Six RAAF Servicemen who were tragically killed in air crash just metres from the airport.