Photo: Nachoman-au / CC BY-SA 3.0
Stretching along the remote southern coast of Australia, the Great Australian Bight Marine Park is a vast and pristine wilderness where the Nullarbor Plain meets the Southern Ocean. This is one of the most dramatic and untouched coastlines on Earth, famous for its towering limestone cliffs, turquoise waters, and spectacular whale watching. It's a place of raw beauty and solitude, perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Highlights & What to See
- Whale watching at the Head of Bight – From June to October, southern right whales migrate here to calve, and you can observe them from the cliff-top boardwalks just metres away.
- The Bunda Cliffs – Stretching for over 200 km, these sheer white cliffs plunge into the ocean, offering breathtaking viewpoints along the Eyre Highway.
- Nullarbor National Park – Explore the vast, treeless limestone plain with its unique caves, sinkholes, and desert wildlife like kangaroos and emus.
- Murrawijinie Caves – Just north of the park, these limestone caves are open for self-guided exploration and feature Aboriginal art.
- Pelican Point – A great spot for birdwatching, with pelicans, ospreys, and other seabirds nesting on the cliffs.
Suggested Time to Spend
Plan for at least two to three days to fully appreciate the park. A typical itinerary includes a full day at the Head of Bight for whale watching (in season), a day driving the Eyre Highway to stop at key lookouts like the Bunda Cliffs, and a half-day exploring the Nullarbor National Park or Murrawijinie Caves. The park is best visited as part of a longer self-drive along the Eyre Highway between Ceduna and Eucla.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Ceduna – The gateway town to the Bight, with supplies, accommodation, and the Ceduna Aboriginal Arts Centre.
- Eucla – A tiny settlement on the WA border with an old telegraph station and a museum.
- Yalata – An Aboriginal community with a roadhouse and access to the Head of Bight.
- Fowlers Bay – A historic port town with a jetty, sand dunes, and a golf course on the beach.
- Koonalda Station – A historic sheep station with a cave featuring ancient Aboriginal hand stencils.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
Explore more
Image credits
- Ceduna — Bahnfrend / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Nullarbor National Park — Tony Bowden from Tallinn, Estonia / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Head of Bight — Nachoman-au / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Eucla — Bidgee / CC BY-SA 3.0 au
- Fowlers Bay — Kerry Raymond at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Eyre Highway — Bahnfrend / CC BY-SA 4.0