Fowlers Bay

Fowlers Bay is a remote coastal hamlet on the far west coast of South Australia, where the Nullarbor Plain meets the Great Australian Bight. This is a place of immense solitude and raw natural beauty — a destination for those who crave wide-open spaces, star-filled skies, and the chance to witness one of Australia’s greatest wildlife spectacles: the annual migration of southern right whales. The town itself is tiny, with a population of just a handful, but its sweeping white sand dunes and turquoise waters feel like a secret beach paradise.

Highlights & What to See

• Whale watching (June–October): Southern right whales come close to shore to calve — you can see them from the beach or the cliff-top lookout, often breaching just metres away.
• Fowlers Bay Sand Dunes: A vast, pristine dune system perfect for sandboarding (hire a board from the local caravan park) or simply walking to feel the scale of the landscape.
• Nullarbor National Park: Access the dramatic Bunda Cliffs and the Head of Bight viewing platform — the best place for whale watching on the Nullarbor.
• Stargazing: As one of the darkest places in Australia, the night sky here is phenomenal — the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye on clear nights.
• Historic jetty and ruins: The old jetty and remnants of the town’s early 20th-century whaling and farming past offer a glimpse into its history.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most travellers pass through on the Eyre Highway, but Fowlers Bay deserves at least a full day and one night. Arrive in the afternoon to explore the dunes and watch the sunset over the bay, then stay for the dark skies. If you’re here during whale season, allow a second day to take a boat tour or spend hours at the head of the bight. It’s a perfect overnight stop on a Nullarbor crossing — break the long drive between Ceduna and Eucla.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Ceduna — 130 km east, the last major town before the Nullarbor, with supplies and the Ceduna Aboriginal Arts & Culture Centre.
• Head of Bight — 60 km west, the premier whale-watching site with a boardwalk and interpretive centre.
• Yalata — an Aboriginal community with a roadhouse and access to the Yalata Indigenous Protected Area.
• Nullarbor Roadhouse — 200 km west, the classic outback pit stop for fuel and a photo with the ‘Big Nullarbor’ sign.
• Eucla — just across the WA border, with its historic telegraph station ruins and the unique Eucla Pass sand dunes.

Please check official sources for current details.