West Coast of Eyre Peninsula: In the West Coast region of South Australia

When Paul Clark's not working at Streaky Bay Aquaculture, an abalone farm he established with a group of local investors, he's on the road taking in the sights of Eyre Peninsula. He knows the stretch of coastline from the cliffs of Elliston to the quiet solitude of Streaky Bay better than most, having run the Streaky Bay Caravan Park for several years.

And it was this local knowledge the Postcards crew tapped into when we asked Paul Clark to take us his unwinding road up the Wild West Coast.

The first thing that strikes you on a road trip up this coast is the stunning blue backdrop provided by the Great Australian Bight. The Australian Sea Lions at Point Labatt seem to like it too along with the reef that provides some protection from the Great White sharks out at sea. The area was declared a Marine Park thirty years ago. Paul explains:

“It's recognised as the only mainland Sea Lion breeding colony in Australia. That makes it a pretty unique place. The males travel up to perhaps several hundred kilometres a year but the females are pretty much based here most of the year. You’ll generally find between forty and sixty here as a general rule. Maybe in the summertime they could build up to a hundred plus.”

The day we were there, the seals where looking particularly relaxed. Youngsters were lazily suckling their mums while others were relaxing in the afternoon sun. Pups are born at Point Labatt every eighteen months - mid winter one year then mid summer the next.

And the seals also make their way to stunning Cape Blanche, our next stop on Paul's tour. The Cape frames the southern end of Sceale Bay, a little holiday settlement where Paul's family owned a shack twenty years ago.

“There were only about five or six tin sheds there at that stage. And obviously that's starting to grow a bit. There are still no great facilities there but it will kick off. The price of shacks there is really zooming.

It's a classic example of the coastline - spectacular cliffs and stunning beaches but not many people.”

If you come to this part of the West Coast, make sure you take some of the less traveled back roads like the one to Smoothpool. Here you venture down to a little culdesac of West Coast wonder.

Soon we're back on the bitumen and just out of Streaky we pull into Eyre's Waterhole - also known as Cooyeanna Well. The roadside parking bay seems like any other but nearby there's an important part of local aboriginal and early European history. The Wirangu people knew there was water to be found in cracks in the local limestone. In 1839 it proved a godsend for explorer Edward John Eyre as he ventured into the unknown of the Peninsula which now bears his name in search of arable land for settlement.

The watering hole sustained the early settlers until a reticulated water supply was established at Streaky Bay in 1936. Now it's just one of many fascinating spots to visit on the Wild West Coast. For details on the major sights to be found on and off the Flinders Highway between Elliston and Streaky contact the Eyre Peninsula toll free number 1800 067 739. If you have any other questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au