Overlooking a sparkling bay on the Eyre Peninsula, Smoky Bay is a sleepy seaside town in South Australia. It was named by Matthew Flinders in 1802 after he saw smoke from fires lit by the area’s Indigenous people. In addition to being home to a thriving oyster industry and idyllic swimming beaches, Smoky Bay is on the doorstep of Laura Bay Conservation Park’s rugged limestone coast.
Things to do in Smoky Bay
Experience the laid-back atmosphere of Smoky Bay while exploring its quiet streets and pick up freshly-caught oysters from the General Store. You can eat them on the long pier that stretches into the waters of Smoky Bay, which is a popular place for local anglers to cast their lines.
Follow the coast north to explore Laura Bay Conservation Park, a scenic protected area that encompasses mangrove flats and coastal mallee scrub. You can refresh in the idyllic waters of Laura Bay or follow one of the walking trails through the bushland while keeping your eyes peeled for some of the 100 native bird species that call the area “home”.
If you’re a keen golfer, play a round on the 9-hole course at the Smoky Bay Golf Club or take on the world’s longest golf course, the Nullarbor Links, that begins in Ceduna. Surfers can enjoy the beach breaks at St. Marys, while southern right whales can sometimes be spotted between July and October when they arrive to birth to their young.
Getting around Smoky Bay
Smoky Bay is around an hour’s drive from Streaky Bay and 30 minutes from Ceduna Airport, which has regular flights to Adelaide. By road, the South Australian capital is eight hours away. Buses connect Smoky Bay with towns across the Eyre Peninsula, although having your own vehicle is more convenient for exploring the region.