Minnipa, Your Basecamp for Eyre Peninsula Adventures
Ready to discover the untamed beauty of the Eyre Peninsula? Minnipa, your charming home base, offers access to a treasure trove of day trip adventures.
From rugged national parks to stunning coastlines and unique geological formations, there's something for every explorer. Here are some of the best day trips from Minnipa, designed to make your Eyre Peninsula experience unforgettable.
Things to see and do around us
Gawler Ranges National Park
Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of Gawler Ranges National Park, just an hour's drive on an unsealed road.
Start your day at the Organ Pipes, a natural wonder of towering rock columns.
Then, embark on the park's loop, where you can discover the Old Paney Homestead, Policeman's Point, and Kolay Mirica Falls.
Don't forget to keep an eye out for kangaroos and emus!
Half-Day Gawler Ranges Option
With an early start, you can still experience some of the Gawler Ranges National Park's highlights.
Explore the Organ Pipes, Yandinga waterfall (after rain), Stone Dam, or the Old Paney Homestead.
Coastal Escapes
Head west to the charming seaside town of Streaky Bay, a haven for beach lovers.
Indulge in local treats at Elliotts Bakery, enjoy a beachside lunch, or take a refreshing swim at Sceales Bay.
Explore the Yanerbie sandhills or try your hand at snorkeling at Smooth Pools.
Pildappa Rock & Tcharkuldu Rocks
Witness the majestic Pildappa Rock, a towering monolith just 15 minutes from Minnipa.
Hike the trail, climb to the top for panoramic views, or simply marvel at its beauty.
Don't miss nearby Tcharkuldu rocks, a cluster of granite boulders perfect for sunset viewing.
Murphys Haystacks
Venture south to Port Kenny and Venus Bay, where you'll find Murphys Haystacks.
These unique granite outcrops are a geological marvel worth exploring.
Wudinna Highlights
Visit the town of Wudinna to see The Australian Farmer, a striking granite sculpture.
Enjoy a picnic at Mt Wudinna or Polda Rock, and stock up on fresh local goods at the bakery and butcher.
Poochera’s Hidden Treasures
Delve into local history at the Poochera Museum (call Phillip Gosling at 0427-063-014) or browse unique artworks at Dusty's Art Gallery.
During late August and September, enjoy Mr. Post's vibrant flower garden on the road to Pildappa as seen in the photo below.
Eyre Peninsula Travel Information
Minnipa, South Australia.
Gawler Ranges National Park. Book & Pay here.
The appeal of Minnipa lies not just in the tranquillity of the town, a small wheatbelt town dominated by the grain silos, but in the extraordinary natural beauty of the area to the north of the town which is dominated by the Gawler Ranges National Park.
Formed some 1500 million years ago the Gawler Ranges was maintained and utilised by the Gawler Ranges Aboriginal People with Policemen’s Point an essential site as they crossed their Country. Pastoralists founded sheep stations in the 1850s, with history evident at Pondanna Outstation, Old Paney homestead and the more recent but retired Paney shearing shed. 2002 saw the Gawler Ranges declared a National Park now rich in wildlife including the elusive Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, diverse in flora and fauna. Unique splendour can be seen at the Organ Pipes. The surrounding rural landscape showcases the wave-like PildappaRock, Tcharkuldu Rocks and the truly remarkable pristine white salt Lake Gairdner.
Minnipa was proclaimed in 1915 following extension of the railway in 1913. By 1960 the town was deemed to be the major railway centre between Cummins to the south and Thevenard to the west.
Things to do and see include: Gawler Ranges National Park | Pildappa Rock | Lake Gairdner | Tcharkuldu Rock | Organ Pipes Formation | Flora and Fauna | Bushwalking | Mount Wudinna | Natural Wildlife | Minnipa Agricultural Centre | Poochera Museum | and many more.
Streaky Bay, South Australia.
Explore the things to do & see in Streaky Bay.
Breathtaking Streaky Bay welcomes visitors from all walks of life.
One of South Australia’s emerging ‘must visit’ regions, Streaky Bay is an enticing mosaic of pristine natural wonders, endless sandy beaches, countless fishing spots, spectacular coastline, great surf waves, fine café and bakery, fresh seafood, local history, pop-up food vans, warm and friendly locals and a charming persona all its own.
Things to do and see include: Powerhouse Museum | Sceales Bay | Point Labatt Sealion Scenic Drive | Crabbing | Smooth Pool | Fishing | Murphys Haystack | Bowls Whiting Carnival in May | Golf | National Trust Museum | and many more.
