National park · Australia
Great Australian Bight Marine Park
Treat this as a 1–2 hour stop on the Eyre Highway, not a destination: turn off at Head of the Bight (20 min detour), pay the entry fee, walk the boardwalk to the cliff edge, and time it for June–October if you want whales.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
45,926 km² (17,732 sq mi)17,732 sq mi (45,926 km²)
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
- South Australia ↗Fresh fruit and vegetables cannot cross into South Australia; disposal bins sit at airports and state-border checkpoints, and fines run around A$400.
- South Australia ↗The Riverland and Kangaroo Island are extra quarantine zones — no fresh produce or honey even from elsewhere in the state.
- South Australia ↗School zones are 25 km/h at any time children are present, including weekends and holidays; slow to 25 km/h past emergency vehicles with lights on roads of 80 km/h or less.
- South Australia ↗South Australia runs UTC+9:30, half an hour behind Sydney and Melbourne; daylight saving (UTC+10:30) runs first Sunday of October to first Sunday of April.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 45,926 km² (17,732 sq mi)17,732 sq mi (45,926 km²)
- Commonwealth marine reserve figure; the state marine park and whale sanctuary inside it are much smaller (check).
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
The Great Australian Bight Marine Park is a Commonwealth marine reserve off South Australia's far west coast, overlaying a state marine park and whale sanctuary in the same waters. Almost all of it is sea: the only land access, facilities and staffed entry point is Head of the Bight, a signed 20-minute detour off the Eyre Highway between Ceduna and Eucla. Southern right whales calve below the cliffs from roughly June to October, Australian sea lions haul out year-round, and the rest of the park is reached only by private or chartered boat under marine park zoning rules. Treat it as a 1–2 hour stop on a Nullarbor crossing, not a destination in itself.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1996.
Size and age
45,926 km² (17,732 sq mi)17,732 sq mi (45,926 km²) · national park since 1996
Commonwealth marine reserve figure; the state marine park and whale sanctuary inside it are much smaller (check).
Why go
- The Head of the Bight boardwalk sits on one of the highest sea-cliff lines in Australia, with a clear view over the water.
- Southern right whales calve here in winter and spring, often within sight of the viewing platforms.
- It is the one signed, staffed stop on the South Australian Nullarbor crossing, with toilets and shade.
- Australian sea lions haul out below the cliffs, visible from the platforms without a boat.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanHot, dry, no whales; 40°C (104°F) days possibleHot, dry, no whales; 104°F (40°C) days possible
- FebHottest stretch; little shade
- MarCooling slightly; still no whales
- AprMild; first whales may arrive late in the month
- MayWhale season opens; windy
- JunPeak calving; whales close to the cliffs
- JulPeak season; cold, wet, windy
- AugPeak season; strong swell
- SepWhales with calves; weather improving
- OctSeason tailing off; whales still seen
- NovFew whales; warming up
- DecHot and dry; no whales
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern right whalesMay–Oct · Calving season; mothers and calves often close to the cliffs. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Australian sea lionsAll year · Present year-round on the rock shelves below the cliffs. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Humpback whalesJun–Oct · Pass through on migration; less predictable than southern rights. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| SeabirdsAll year · Gannets and other ocean birds work the cliff line in all seasons. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Ceduna
Drive west on the Eyre Highway, then turn off at the signed Head of the Bight access road.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
From Eucla
Drive east on the Eyre Highway to the same turn-off.
2–2.5 h
From Adelaide
Long drive west via Port Augusta and Ceduna; most people break the trip at Ceduna or the Nullarbor roadhouses.
10–11 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Head of the Bight | Cliff-top boardwalk, viewing platforms, visitor centre and the only facilities. | Open with a paid entry ticket. |
| State marine park and whale sanctuary | Coastal waters below the cliffs where southern right whales calve. | No land access; boats only, under marine park rules. |
| Commonwealth marine reserve | The large offshore area protecting deep-water seabed communities. | Restricted; commercial and research access by permit. |
| Far West Coast Marine Park | State park overlaying the coastal strip, adding a further layer of protection. | Boats only; check zoning before fishing or diving. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions around Head of the Bight and the Eyre Highway turn-off, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head of the Bight entry (adult) | AUD 18–25 (≈ US$12–17) | person | 2026 estimate; fee funds the visitor centre and boardwalk. |
| Head of the Bight entry (child) | AUD 8–12 (≈ US$6–8) | person | 2026 estimate; family rates usually available. |
| Marine park waters | Free | person | No fee to enter the marine park itself; you pay only at the Head of the Bight access point. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Head of the Bight access permit or guide
Boat access to the marine park permit or guide
Whale approach permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$18–25≈ US$12–17
- A$8–12≈ US$6–8
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks Australia — Great Australian Bight Marine Park before you go.
Park rules
- Cliff edges
- Stay behind the marked lines and fences; the cliffs are high and the rock can be undercut.
- Drones
- Not allowed over the marine park or near whales without a permit.
- Whale approach
- Vessels and aircraft must keep the regulated distance from whales; do not chase or herd them.
- Fishing
- Only in zones where it is allowed; check the current SA marine park zoning map before you fish.
- Litter and fires
- No fires; take all rubbish out with you, as there are no bins beyond the visitor centre.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ceduna
The main town before the Nullarbor, with motels, caravan parks and fuel.
Near the park
Nullarbor roadhouses
Basic rooms and camping along the Eyre Highway; book ahead in whale season.
Near the park
Head of the Bight area
No accommodation at the site; the nearest options are roadhouses and Ceduna.
Safety
Cliff falls high
Heat and remoteness high
Wildlife medium
Road conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, car park and main boardwalk are reachable with a short, mostly level walk.
- Some platforms involve gravel and uneven ground; ask at the centre which route suits limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the boardwalk and marked paths to protect the cliff-top vegetation.
- Keep the regulated distance from whales; repeated close approaches disrupt calving.
- Take your rubbish back to Ceduna or a roadhouse, as there are no bins at the site.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Great Australian Bight Marine Park?
There is no fee for the marine park waters themselves. You pay at the Head of the Bight visitor centre, the only land access point, where adult entry is roughly A$18–25 and children about A$8–12 (2026 estimate; check current rates).
What are the best hikes in Great Australian Bight Marine Park?
There are no long hikes. The walking is the Head of the Bight boardwalk and platform loop, about 45–60 minutes, plus unmarked cliff-top ground if you want more. Everything else in the park is water, reached by boat.
When is the best time to visit Great Australian Bight Marine Park?
June to October for southern right whales, with June to September the peak. Outside that window you get the cliffs and sea lions but no whales, and December to February is hot and dry.
Do I need a boat to visit the marine park?
For the marine park itself, yes. The only land access is the Head of the Bight visitor centre and its boardwalk, which looks over the water. Boat access is by private or chartered vessel, and marine park zoning rules apply.
How do I get to Head of the Bight?
Turn off the Eyre Highway at the signed access road, about a 20-minute detour from the highway. It is roughly 2.5–3 hours west of Ceduna and 2–2.5 hours east of Eucla.
Can I see whales from the shore?
Yes, in season. Southern right whales calve close to the cliffs between June and October and are often visible from the platforms. Bring binoculars, as some animals stay a few hundred metres out.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go