Eyre Peninsula
| Location | Elliston, Eyre Peninsula |
| Start Point | Little Bay Surf Break |
| End Point | Cape Finnis |
| Distance | 13.6 km (full trail) |
| Time | Approximately 3 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Activity | Walking |
| Region | Eyre Peninsula |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Sub-trails | Little Bay Trail, Clifftop Trail, Beach Loop |
Dramatic Cliffs on Australia’s Edge
On the western coast of the Eyre Peninsula, where the Southern Ocean crashes against some of the most spectacular cliffs in South Australia, the small township of Elliston sits on the shores of Waterloo Bay like a secret the rest of the country has yet to discover. The Elliston Coastal Trail stretches 13.6 kilometres along this dramatic coastline, from Little Bay Surf Break to Cape Finnis, tracing a clifftop path above waters so blue they seem almost unreal. It is a trail that can be experienced in its entirety as a half-day adventure, or sampled in shorter sections — the Little Bay Trail, the Clifftop Trail, or the Beach Loop — each delivering its own portion of coastal magic.
Elliston is known as the Great Australian Bight’s hidden gem — a town of fewer than 300 people that punches well above its weight in natural beauty. The surrounding coastline features towering limestone cliffs, secluded beaches, powerful surf breaks, and a marine environment rich with fish, seals, and seasonal whale sightings. The Coastal Trail threads all of this together into a single, accessible walking experience.
The Trail Experience
Clifftop Walking
The trail follows gentle, well-formed compact tracks along the cliff tops, making it accessible to walkers of all experience levels. The surface is firm and well-maintained, and the gradients are minimal — this is walking for views, not for vertical gain. And the views are extraordinary. The clifftop sections deliver panoramic perspectives along the coastline, where limestone cliffs drop vertically to the surging ocean below and rock stacks stand offshore like the ruins of a drowned cathedral.
The trail passes through several distinct ecosystems along its length, with interpretive signage explaining the remarkable ecological diversity of this coastal environment. Low heath and coastal scrub give way to dune vegetation and protected pockets of native woodland, each community adapted to the particular combination of wind, salt, and soil that characterises its section of coast.
Beach and Bay Sections
Interspersed with the clifftop walking are sections that drop to beach level, where sheltered bays provide contrast to the exposed headlands. These beaches offer opportunities for swimming in calmer conditions, and the rock platforms at low tide reveal pools teeming with marine invertebrates. The history of the local community is woven throughout the trail, with interpretive panels telling stories of the Aboriginal people who walked this coast for millennia and the European settlers who built a fishing and farming community in this remote but beautiful location.
Planning Your Walk
Elliston is located approximately 660 kilometres west of Adelaide on the Eyre Highway, making it a genuine road trip destination. The trail is free and accessible year-round. The full 13.6-kilometre route can be walked in about 3 hours, or shorter sections can be enjoyed individually. Some sections include a driving component between trail segments. The best months for walking are March through November, when temperatures are comfortable and whale sightings are possible from the clifftops between May and October.
The Elliston Coastal Trail offers something that few trails in South Australia can match — 13.6 kilometres of genuine Great Australian Bight coastline, accessible to walkers of all abilities, in a setting so dramatic that every photograph looks like it has been digitally enhanced. For those willing to make the journey to this remote corner of the Eyre Peninsula, the reward is a coastal walking experience of international calibre.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Eyre Peninsula Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.