Around Australia 2026 Part 11 – Eyre Peninsula (South Australia)

White-bellied (Western) Whipbird

After farewelling the Nullarbor we continued east to Eyre Peninsula for a 3-day stay in Streaky Bay, one of our favourite places with its wonderful coastal scenery and great seafood. Black-faced Cormorant and Pied Cormorant were in good numbers together on the town jetty.

Black-faced (L) & Pied Cormorant

Onwards southwards to Lincoln National Park for 2 nights at Taylors Landing campground, with loads more great scenery and plenty of wildflowers. We had the place to ourselves.

Taylors Landing

On the way in were several roadside families of Emu - adult males accompanied by between 4 and 8 juveniles each.

Emu family

A pair of Southern Scrub-Robins were in residence at the start of a walking track that heads off from the campground entrance.

Southern Scrub-Robin (above & below)

We were here in 2024 when White-bellied (Western) Whipbird was vocal around the camp. This time the birds were further afield – 800 metres to the north – but way more co-operative, finally offering decent photographic opportunites.

White-bellied (Western) Whipbird

This taxon is now lumped with the Black-throated (Western) Whipbird in WA. However,distinct calls, plumage and habitat suggest another split is on the cards. The SA bird would be more appropriately called Mallee Whipbird.

White-bellied (Western) Whipbird

Not far from the whipbirds were a pair of Hooded Plover, these beaches being a stronghold for this threatened species.

Hooded Plover

We enjoyed a 3-night stay in a foreshore caravan park in Port Lincoln, another town we like visiting. Purple-crowned Lorikeet was active in flowering shrubs around the park. Again, wildflowers were in bloom everywhere. We finished our visit to SA with overnight stays in Whyalla and Peterborough.

Purple-crowned Lorikeet