Whalers Way, a secluded area in South Australia, astonished visitors more than any other location in the state.
It is the perfect location to spend a few days camping and exploring the rugged coastline of the Great Australian Bight. Tucked away from congested residential areas, Whalers Way is protected by a gate, so you can experience the serenity of nature with zero disturbance.
The Way to Whalers Way
Most people who discover Whalers’ Way either do so by chance or recommendation. When you visit the Port Lincoln tourist data office, where experts recommend starting your adventure, you will discover this little-known park.
It’s very uncommon for visitors to Lincoln and the surrounding area to accidentally find this hidden treasure. The long-lost Whalers Way is one of Port Lincoln’s hidden gems, apart from the apparent shark cage and sea lion diving.
Access to Whalers Way property, which has been privately possessed and managed since 1887, can be obtained by buying a key from the tourist centre or buying a pass–an access code–online for $50.
Is There a Limit on How Long I Can Stay in Whalers Way?
Your initial night’s ticket grants you access to the whole park and overnight accommodation. There are over 14 different campsites and overlooks to explore, so we suggest spending at least one week if you love adventure.
Why Whalers Way is a Great Place to Explore
One look at the map of Whalers Way will reveal the significance of its name. Whalers Way is structured like a whale’s tail, albeit a fat one.
As soon as you arrive at the park’s main gate, you’ll see the southern ocean’s Great Australian Bight in its full glory.
If you take a glance at the Australian map, you will see that it seems like someone has pinched out a portion of the country to the southern coastline, thus the name.
The Swimming Hole is most likely your first real encounter with nature. After driving down a narrow, steep road, you’ll come upon a bolted-in steel ladder that you may use to descend to the Swimming Hole.
In contrast to the sun-soaked pool created by the pounding waves that have built this little rockpool, the water on either side of the cliff is a severe and frequently deadly crash of waves. You risk being swept out to waters by wild waves that arise out of nowhere to travel beyond this point.
Located in the park’s southeast corner, Cape Wiles offers breathtaking views of the cliffs and cornerstone below a viewpoint perched high atop a cliff.
Black shapes may move on the cliffs below. If you have a magnification lens or telescope, you’ll discover that this is only a group of Australian Fur Seals basking in the sun, safe from the ocean’s swells and predators.
Located less than three kilometres away from the Swimming Hole, this viewpoint is convenient to stop on your Whalers Way adventure.
The beauty of Whalers Way lies in the fact that something is fascinating to see and do at every turn. Gravel driveways leading to the cliff’s edge are just across the southern part of the park, although you’ll need to walk if you want to have the most outstanding views. Having a car that can handle dirt and gravel roads is recommended.
You will also find Blue Whale Bay, Moonlight Bay, and Groper Bay vistas here.
When you travel from Melbourne, you will hire a car, which holds up fine, but it will make you uneasy, so the tremendous peace of mind is to have a four-wheel drive.
The rockpools at Blowhole and Baleen, located in the park’s extreme southwest corner, will be your second-favourite feature.
The Blowhole parking space at the end of Whalers Way is one of the fascinating spots in the area.
“Do not pass beyond here — freak waves have killed six people,” says a warning at the cliff’s edge.
The Baleen rockpools, a comprehensive collection of organically carved rocky shores, are the first part of this region. The second part consists of the carved rocky pools formed by the pounding waves.
The Baleen rockpool is about 50 meters from the cliff’s edge, plunging into the sea. As lovely as this place looks, it is unsafe and is therefore not open to exploration. So you should never wander down there.
To the west of the rockpool, there’s a beautiful show of shooting water which looks even more beautiful at dusk. This is the less-friendly relative of the rockpool.
You can spend the night at the large Whalers Way carpack. However, the night might get cold, windy, and scary if you’re alone.
Sleaford is the “suburb” of Whalers Way, and a single major road, Whalers Way Road, links the park. Before the junction, take the Whalers Way Road as far west as you can before turning left at the signage to the Baleen turquoise waters and the Blowhole rockpool.
Leaving the Blowhole, a little sign on the left says “The Caves and Old Whaleman’s Grotto”. The caverns on the right side of the cliff resulted from centuries of erosion. You’ll find them by following the jagged rocks along the cliffs to the water’s edge.
Dating back 2,643 years, the caverns are the oldest known geological structures in South Australia.
Eventually, they’ll follow the coast to Red Banks Beach, which 4WD can only reach. There is a windmill farm on the southwest shore of the Eyre Peninsula in the distance.
You may view the Theakstone Crevasse between Red Bluff Beach and the ancient whaleman’s cave if you desire to venture that far.
What You Should Know About Whalers Way
The entire route around the track is unprotected, with certain sections more challenging to maneuver than others. Thus it is advisable to rent a vehicle with 4WD capability.
Another problem is that there is no service in Whalers Way, making it impossible to arrange a dump truck. If you do manage to get one, it will be costly.
Because the Whalers Way is open and unsheltered throughout the year, dressing appropriately is essential.
Bottom Line
Suppose you’re planning a vacation to South Australia and want to take the back roads. In that case, Whalers Way is the ideal place to stay for a few days, not to mention other gorgeous parks such as Lincoln National Park, Coffin Bay National Park, and the remainder of the Eyre Peninsula.