Coastal Ketches Trail at Port Gibbon: Ron reports on this Eyre Peninsula harbour on the West Coast of South Australia

Franklin Harbour at Cowell ranks as one of the most spectacular waterways on the South Australian coastline. Its vast stand of mangroves separate the shallow haven for the famous Cowell oyster leases from the deep waters of Spencer Gulf beyond.

But Cowell local, Geoff Turner reckons there's a lot more to Cowell than it's harbour so we climbed into his 4-wheel-drive and headed a little further down the Peninsula to a strip of sand that should figure on any Spencer Gulf getaway - Port Gibbon.

Not far south of Cowell, we hit of a line of sand that separates kilometres after kilometre of red clay cliffs from the relentless surge of the sea. If you're worried about the drive on the beach - and it certainly pays to know your tide times then fear not. A dirt road follows the cliff line and brings many caravaners and campers to a spot, that for many years was once a transport hub.

"Cowell was originally developed because of the coastal ketches which left here and went to Arno Bay and down to Port Lincoln," explained Geoff. "It's now a beautiful spot to camp and do a bit of fishing - the waters off here are home to King George Whiting and mulloway."

For as far as the eye can see, you take in the red of the cliffs, the gleaming white sand of Port Gibbon beach and the deep blue of Spencer Gulf. The old Port Gibbon jetty has been converted into a sun shelter for picnickers but up until 1950 it was where wooden sailing ketches called in and later steel fabricated vessels like the Milford Crouch. Sadly she came to grief in 1959, with the loss of six crew. The monument to the Milford Crouch overlooks a spot that Geoff Turner remembers fondly as a kid growing up.

The caravan park is not far from Point Gibbon. It's a bit of an adventure getting there, but when you do you're likely to meet a Australian Sea Lion who's made this his home for many years. While the locals get a little annoyed at the occasional build up of seaweed along the coast, the old seal doesn't mind.

The Coastal Ketches Trail follows the coastline south of Cowell. Port Gibbon is about 15 kilometres from town. You can pick up maps and brochures from the Cowell Tourist Information Centre. Please end info@postcards-sa.com.au if you have any further questions

Coastal Ketches Trail
Port Gibbon 15 kilometres ex Cowell
Eyre Peninsula
Brochures available at Cowell Tourist Information Centre

Published 9th July 2006