Things to do

Venus Bay Activities

Fishing

There are abundant fish in the sheltered waters of Venus Bay, ideal for jetty, boat and beach fishing. Common species include King George Whiting, Tommi Ruff, Garfish and Flathead. Larger boats can head out of the bay and catches include Snapper, Trevally and Nannygai. Click here for more information on fishing in Venus Bay. 

Needle Eye Lookout

The Needle Eye lookout offers spectacular views and is the best place to see the Needle Eye rock formation. Just 700 meters from the park at the end of Bay Road.

South Head Walking Trails

Nearby is the South Head walking trails, just 2 mins drive or 10 minutes walk from the park. Apart from the spectacular views out onto the Great Australian Bight, you may also see dolphins, seals and seabirds. You can also follow the walking trail around the Point to Needle Eye Lookout.

Sheltered water activities

The sheltered waters of the bay provide a mecca for those keen on water sports including water skiing, swimming, kayaking and sailing. Click here for information on Boat Hire. 

Surfing

One of the best known surfing spots on the Eyre Peninsula, surfers can head to the Venus Bay back beaches with an exposed reef break offering consistent surf year round. Beware – it can be hazardous with rips, sharks and rocks.

Curved Jetty, Boat Ramp, Fish Cleaning 

The 100m curved jetty is used by commercial fishermen and is lit up at night for those keen for night fishing. A boat ramp is located on the west side of the jetty and there’s a fish cleaning area in the car park.

Playground

Near the beach and jetty is the Dolly Graham Memorial playground with a range of swings, a slide, monkey bars, climbing equipment and a basketball hoop.

4WD

The Venus Bay Conservation Park entry is just north of Port Kenny and accessible to 4WD vehicles. There’s also a bumpy 4WD track from the road to get to Rincon beach, about 12 minutes drive from the park.

Bird watching

The Venus Bay Conservation Park includes Weyland Peninsula and 7 islands and is home to more than 100 bird species. Spot peregrine falcons, sea eagles, honeyeaters and rock parrots.

SOUTH OF VENUS BAY

Mt Camel Beach

Around 10 mins drive to the south of Venus Bay Beachfront Tourist Park. Access to the beach is via a short walk from the car park. Anglers regularly catch salmon and other species from this beach.

Talia Beach

This is a pristine beach and the surf and spray are magnificent to watch on a windy day. Take the walkway down to the limestone-formed Talia Caves showing an incredible array of colours. 2 well-known rock formations include The Woolshed and The Tub. (10 mins drive)

Lake Newland Conservation Park

Lake Newland is a 20km long natural saline lake, accessible only by 4WD. A range of sand hills separates the lake from the sea. (35 mins drive)

Colton Historic Town Site

Colton is an old pioneer town with a church, school, cemetary and hotel. (30 mins drive)

Elliston

Elliston is a seaside town on Waterloo Bay. A main attraction is the Anxious Bay Cliff Top Loop and it’s ‘Sculptures on the Cliffs’ just to the north of the town. (45 mins drive)

Coffin Bay

For the Oyster lovers, you can book an Oyster Farm and Tasting Tour, or take the Oyster Walk, a trail that starts from the Esplanade and follows the foreshore along Coffin Bay. There’s also plenty of 4WDriving trails in the Coffin Bay National Park. The Sensation Beach 4WD trail is a 6-hour return trip from Coffin Bay, there are shorter trails available.  Be sure to check tides and be aware of the difficult terrain. (2 hours drive from Venus Bay to Coffin Bay)

Port Lincoln

For the very brave, the number 1 activity in Port Lincoln is Shark Cage Diving with great white sharks. Other attractions include the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum, the Port Lincoln Railway Museum and the Winter Hill lookout. (2.5 hours drive)

NORTH OF VENUS BAY

Port Kenny

Stop in for a meal at the Port Kenny Hotel, a classic Aussie Pub and 2017 Winner of the Seafood Industry Small Business Award.  Specialising in classic pub meals using local Eyre Peninsula produce. Be sure to book ahead. (15 mins drive)

Murphys Haystacks

Located 30 mins drive from Venus Bay (2km off the main highway) between Mortana and Port Kenny, Murphys Haystacks are situated atop an isolated hill providing incredible views of the countryside.  A series of ancient pink granite rock formations called Inselbergs (inland mountains) are the most photographed attraction on the Eyre peninsula and one of the oldest rocks in Australia.

Point Weyland

Point Weyland is a headland in Venus Bay, accessed by driving around the entire bay (1 hour 15 mins), with views back across the water to our park.

Baird Bay

Baird Bay is a protected bay well-known for fishing charters, ocean tours, swimming with sea lions and dolphin experiences.

Point Labatt on Calca Peninsula

This is the location of the only mainland sea lion colony in Australia. You can watch sea lions frolicking on the beach and rocks after swimming.  Take some binoculars! (1 hour 10 mins drive)

Sceale Bay

Sceale Bay (pronounced ‘scale’) offers quiet, secluded beaches for fishing and swimming, such as Surfers Beach, a popular spot in summer. (1 hour)

Yanerbie Sandhills 

The Yanerbie Sandhills are huge sand dunes. There are designated 4WD tracks along the coastline and you can sand-board down the dunes.  (1 hour 15 mins)

Smooth Pool 

Along the Westall Way Loop, you can explore the ancient Smooth Pool, a pond-like inter-tidal rock pool home to fish and marine life. (1 hour 20 mins)

Streaky Bay

Take in the Whistling Rocks and Blowholes at Streaky Bay. Following Cape Bauer Road, you can do a loop around the coastline past the Whistling Rocks and back to Streaky Bay, takes about 45 mins to drive the loop. (1 hour from the park)

Ceduna

Known as the Oyster Capital of Australia, Ceduna provides shopping, banking and business services.  You can experience local authentic Aboriginal art, craft and artefacts; visit the Ceduna National Trust Museum. (2 hours drive)

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