Eyre Peninsula Travel Guide: Australia's Best Gem

Some trips are all about slowing down, but the ones I love most are the ones filled with shared moments you're still laughing about long after you get home. I found exactly that when my friends and I explored South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.

Between dramatic coastal views, oyster farm experiences and once-in-a-lifetime moments like swimming with sea lions, I'd plan this exact trip for a girlfriends getaway, or honestly, for anyone craving equal parts fun, connection and "how is this even real?" moments.

Highlights:

• The exact itinerary we loved: Plan your perfect girlfriends getaway. No guesswork required.

• Where I'd book again in a heartbeat: The best places to eat, stay and sip your way through the Eyre Peninsula

• Up-close wildlife encounters I'll never forget: Swimming with sea lions and dolphins (and what's actually worth it)

Editor's Note: The writer was hosted.

Adelaide Travel Guide: The Perfect Starting Point for Your South Australia Road Trip

We began our adventure in Adelaide and quickly fell for its mix of old and new architecture, but it's the people who make it feel so vibrant. With its energetic vibe, friendly people and delicious food, it's easy to see why Adelaide was named the number one best place to travel in 2026 by yahoo!creators.

Best Things to Do in Adelaide (Food, Views + Local Experiences)

• Enjoy rooftop cocktails: Head to spots like 2KW, Hennessy, Merrymaker, or SOL for city views

• Meet Australia's animals: Visit Cleland Wildlife Park for koalas and kangaroos

• Go to the beach: Sip oceanfront cocktails at sunset (highly recommend)

SheBuysTravel Tip:If you're a thrill-seeker like me, climb the Adelaide Oval, the Australian football stadium, for epic views of the city and ocean.

Where to Eat in Adelaide: Restaurants Worth Booking

Adelaide might be known for its wine regions, but the city's food scene is just as worth your time. Between patio dinners, vibrant markets and beautifully executed dishes, I found plenty of reasons to linger. If you love discovering local flavors in a relaxed, unpretentious setting, Adelaide delivers.

Enjoy a Decadent Dinner at Shobosho

Dinner at Shobosho is best shared and why it is ideal for a girlfriend getaway. We started with a bottle of Daosa Natural Reserve, a local sparkling wine and ended up ordering "just one more dish" at least twice, passing plates around the table and debating which one was our favorite. It was one of those dinners where you just keep talking, laughing and pouring another glass.

• Where to sit: Their patio is the best spot for people-watching
• What to order: No.17 mushroom fried rice (get two), BBQ'd broccolini and Pork + cabbage potstickers

SheBuysTravel Tip:Go with a group and order everything to share. This is not the place to play it safe. The best dishes are the ones you'll want a second round of.

Parwana Afghan Kitchen Restaurant

Parwana Afghan Kitchen is where you go for dinner and end up talking about long after. Run by the Ayubi family, the restaurant brings Afghan recipes to life through rich, shareable dishes like dumplings, fragrant rice and slow-cooked curries. The space is full of energy and when we visited, we lingered longer than planned.

• What to order: Don't skip the banjaan borani, their spiced eggplant dish is a standout and absolutely worth ordering.
• What to bring: Parwana is a BYO restaurant and does not sell alcohol, so if you wish to enjoy wine with your meal, bring a bottle with you, as we did.

SheBuysTravel Tip:Stop at a local wine shop before dinner-since it's BYO, bringing a crisp white or rosé makes the whole experience feel even more like a night out with friends.

Where to Stay in Adelaide: A Stylish and Central Hotel

After twenty hours of travel, I was thrilled to land at the Sofitel Adelaide, South Australia's premier luxury sanctuary, where an exceptionally warm staff and central city location turned my exhaustion into instant, high-end comfort.

• The Room:Features a walk-in closet and a table for working (I did some book edits here). The bathroom offers a spacious layout with an isolated shower and toilet, but the best part is the luxurious robe you'll find hanging inside.

• The Sleep:The “cloud-like” pillows and mattress were so comfortable that I genuinely considered taking them home with me.

• Dining & Leisure:On-site options include Garçon Bleu, the on-site restaurant, a wine bar and a dedicated champagne bar for decadent evenings. We enjoyed breakfast at Garçon Bleu every morning and the buffet offerings are impressive. Plus, they make a fabulous Cappuccino.

• The Pool:Three massive chandeliers hang over the water, creating a glistening, luxurious atmosphere for a late-night swim that I wish I'd had a chance to do.

Eyre Peninsula Travel Guide: Beaches, Wildlife + Coastal Adventures

After spending time in the city, we were ready to head to the ocean for some of the best oysters in the world. Instead of driving seven hours, I recommend hopping on a short flight from Adelaide to Port Lincoln, as we did. Don't waste your girlfriend getaway driving when you could be sipping wine and slurping oysters.

SheBuysTravel Tip:The flight from Adelaide to Port Lincoln is very restrictive with baggage weight. I opted to leave my large suitcase at the Sofitel in Adelaide and bring a smaller carry-on backpack to avoid additional baggage fees.

Top Activities in the Eyre Peninsula

In the Eyre Peninsula section of this travel guide, I'll show you how to experience ocean-fresh seafood, unforgettable wildlife encounters and just the right amount of adventure. I found this coastal region both effortless to explore and wildly memorable. Every stop felt like a highlight.

Coffin Bay Oyster Experience: Wade into South Australia's Best Seafood

A tour guide from Untamed Escapes brought us to Coffin Bay. From there, we cruised out to an oyster farm with Experience Coffin Bay. The real fun begins when you don a pair of waders and step into the water. It was refreshingly cold at first, but within minutes we were laughing, splashing and fully in it.

• Don't miss: Strolling along the sandy bottom and looking down to see the growing oysters gently swaying back and forth in their cages.
• Tour highlight: Slurping fresh oysters on the half shell, accompanied by a glass of South Australia’s best wine.

SheBuysTravel Tip:Enjoy sitting on the back of the boat, sunshine on your face and wind in your hair as you cruise the glassy waters brimming with wildlife, glass of local wine in hand.

Best Restaurants in Coffin Bay: Oceanfront Dining at Oyster HQ

Dining seaside at Oyster HQ is a must when in Coffin Bay. The restaurant overlooks the calm turquoise waters of the bay, offering front-row views of the oyster leases that made this region famous. Known as Australia's oyster capital, Coffin Bay produces some of the country's most sought-after Pacific oysters, prized for their clean, briny flavour.

• Where to sit: We enjoyed the sunshine on our faces while sitting on their patio with its stunning ocean views.
• What to order: I ordered the Fish Tacos with an Aperol Spritz and it was dining al fresco perfection.

Swim with Sea Lions and Dolphins in South Australia (Baird Bay Experience)

The Eyre Peninsula is ​​best known for its world-famous aquatic activities. While you can go shark cage diving, I suggest swimming with wild sea lions and dolphins with Baird Bay Experience. The moment I slipped into the water and saw a sea lion dart past me, I remember thinking, "okay, this is one of those magical moments I'll never forget."

Know before you go:

• You'll wear a wetsuit and booties (provided)
• Wildlife is completely wild (not staged)
• Be ready to jump in quickly when guides spot them

SheBuysTravel Tip:Listen closely to your guides-when they say jump in, go immediately. The best wildlife moments happen fast and hesitation means you might miss them.

Where to Stay in the Eyre Peninsula: Oceanfront Hotels + Coastal Villas

The Eyre Peninsula is where South Australia's wild coastline meets unforgettable wildlife experiences, from oyster farms to swimming with sea lions. We stayed at two different places so we could experience all that this area has to offer.

Stay at the Port Lincoln Hotel

Situated overlooking the water, the Port Lincoln Hotel is the ideal place to stay in this area. After checking into an oceanview room, enjoy dinner at the on-site restaurant, Sarin's, before retreating for a quiet night in.

Wind Down at Baird Bay

You know those places that, when you arrive, you feel your whole body start to relax? Baird Bay Experience is one of those places. Upon arrival at their beachfront private villa, you will begin to feel any stress melt away. We dropped our bags, opened a bottle of wine and just sat there for a minute taking it all in, from the expansive ocean views to that "we made it" feeling.

• The Villa:Features four bright, airy bedrooms designed for comfort, with calming coastal tones and plenty of shared space to relax after a day exploring Baird Bay. With four separate bedrooms, it's perfect for a girlfriend’s getaway.

• The Sleep:Each room is outfitted with an ultra-comfortable, plush bed layered with crisp linens and soft pillows, making it easy to sink into a deep sleep after a full day of adventure.

• Dining & Leisure:The on-site restaurant is run by head chef Calvin Von Niebel and features locally sourced ingredients that are cooked over coals or open fire on the beach.

• The Amenities:Designed with small luxuries including a well-equipped kitchen, cozy living area and private pool, which make the stay feel both indulgent and effortlessly comfortable.

SheBuysTravel Tip:Build in downtime here. Don't overschedule because this is the kind of place where doing nothing (with a glass of wine in hand) ends up being the highlight.

How to Get to South Australia: Flights to Adelaide + Travel Tips

Getting to South Australia takes time, but it's absolutely worth it. I flew economy on a nearly 15-hour red-eye flight before connecting to a 2.5-hour flight, which says a lot.

What to know about getting there:

• Long-haul flight (worth it, but plan ahead)
• Late-night departures from Vancouver
• Expect limited sleep unless you prepare

Upgrade your tip: Pro tips for long-haul flights:

• Bring an eye mask + earplugs
• Pack warm layers (planes get cold)
• Download shows or bring a book
• A glass of wine doesn't hurt

A new United Airlines flight made history at the end of 2025 when the first-ever direct passenger flight left San Francisco and landed at Adelaide Airport. Hopefully, this inaugural flight is a sign that more direct flights will launch between the United States and Adelaide.

SheBuysTravel Tip:Treat your flight like part of the experience-download shows, bring cozy layers and plan for sleep strategically so you arrive feeling well-rested and ready to hit the ground running.

South Australia Travel Guide: FAQs (Best Time to Visit + Travel Tips)

Read More:

• Drive Australia's Great Ocean Road: Coastal Curves and Cliffs
• Wildest, Most Ambitious Zoo Lodging on the Planet (at least Australia)
• Melbourne Australia: First Timer's Guide to the Best Things to Do
• Best Countries to Visit with Kids in 2026

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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 2:40 PM.