Ceduna

Ceduna SA 5690 (Pop 2 700)
Pic: by Nachoman-au

Ceduna is an important Eyre Peninsula town and Thevenard, a port on the Great Australian Bight. Located 772 km n-w of Adelaide, it is also the eastern gateway to the Nullarbor Plain which stretches 1 200 km into Western Australia. Ceduna was established in 1889 and named after the Aboriginal word ‘chedoona’ meaning ‘resting place'. Today the Ceduna-Thevenard area has continued to prosper with its wheat and gypsum industries, local fishing fleet and as a rural service centre. Ceduna Race Meeting (Jan), Oysterfest (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Ceduna National Trust Museum, Park Tce housed within the old school house (1912) and contains extensive farming equipment, pioneering artifacts and photographs and memorabilia relating to the 1950s Maralinga atomic tests. Encounter Coastal Trail a beautiful 4 km scenic trail from the foreshores to Thevenard.

Nearby:
Thevenard (4 km s-w) busy port with grain, salt and gypsum handling facilities as well as a large fishing fleet. Denial Bay (14 km west) features the ruins of early settlement, McKenzie, the heritage-listed cargo landing and jetty renowned for fishing and crabbing. Davenport Creek (40 km west) safe swimming surrounded by pristine sand dunes and nearby excellent surfing & waterskiing. Laura Bay Conservation Park (18 km s-e) 250 ha reserve protecting flooded forests and coastal flora species. Smoky Bay (40 km s-e) an ideal spot for safe swimming, fishing and boating. Penong (73 km west) home to 40 windmills drawing underground water and the interesting Penong Woolshed Museum. Cactus Beach (94 km west) excellent surfing beach. Great Australian Bight Marine Park (300 km west) spectacular 2 000 000 ha reserve protecting various marine species. The Southern Right Whales and Australian Sea Lions breed and calf here. A viewing platform at Head of Bight, where a fee applies, has excellent views of the Bunda Cliffs. Nullarbor NP & Regional Reserve (300 km west) comprise almost 3 000 000 ha of the world’s largest semi arid cave landscapes closely linked to Aboriginal culture. Much of the area is flat saltbush and bluebush, however, the 200 km of cliffs along the Southern Ocean are just spectacular. Wildlife includes wombats and a number of endangered bird species.

Accommodation:
Ceduna has several motels, holiday cabins and 5 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 58 Poynton St. Tel (08) 8625 2780 or 1800 639 413.

Airport:
Adelaide Airport (ADL), 1 James Schofield Dr, Adelaide Airport. Tel (08) 8308 9211. (73 km north).

Hospital:
South Coast Community Hospital, Bay Rd, Victor Harbor. Tel (08) 8552 0500. (34 km s-e).