Exploring South Australia: Port Augusta to Ceduna

An RV road trip from Port Augusta to Ceduna may seem like a lengthy 470km haul across the base of South Australia, but if you’re towing or touring, this remote route is packed with many hidden and not-so-hidden gems. From rugged natural wonders, an abundance of high-quality seafood, breathtaking bush tracks, and proximity to Australia’s southern Outback, you’ll find many enticing stops encompassing the Eyre Peninsula. Use your campervan trek to explore the detours and delights of Port Augusta to Kimba and on to Ceduna. The best times to go are late autumn to spring, so check your rig, stock the supplies, fill your fuel tank and get ready to hit the road—always watching out for wildlife in low-light conditions.

Port Augusta
The Gateway to the Outback

Nicknamed the “Crossroads of South Australia”, Port Augusta’s claim to fame is that it’s a transport hub for the state’s major roads and railway lines. Sitting on top of Spencer Gulf, the city connects ports, cities and townships. Travellers will spot signposts pointing to Darwin, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth as they have to go through the city when heading north, east, south or west. Motorhome travellers can stretch their legs and soak in the outback-meets-coastal vibe. As a gateway to the Flinders Ranges and the Outback, places to visit in Port Augusta include the Arid Lands Botanic Garden, with native flora and superb walking tracks. Enjoy panoramic views from Matthew Flinders Red Cliffs Lookout or take in an immersive introduction to the local history of the region via the Wadlata Outback Centre.

Whyalla
Steel, Sunsets and Seafood

Make time for a delightful, scenic detour to Whyalla. Being known as the Steel City has kept this town a secret from campervanners in search of sparkling beaches, yet the town boasts clear waters with glimpses of dolphins and a fascinating annual marine event—the giant cuttlefish migration. You’ll find free camping at Point Lowly, a powered and unpowered beachfront caravan park and dazzling views across vast tidal flats. Take in a desert sunset with a trip to Whyalla Conservation Park for a native walk and spectacular views as the setting sun hits the red sandstone of the Wild Dog Hill outcrop. If you’re into history, you can double your enjoyment by visiting the Maritime Museum then looping back to Iron Knob, known for the Southern Hemisphere’s richest deposit of iron ore, and test your knowledge of minerals at the mining museum before you rejoin the Eyre Highway. 

Lake Gilles
Serenity and Silence

Another easily missed beautiful spot is Lake Gilles Conservation Park, roughly 70km west of Iron Knob. This remote and rugged reserve delivers the Outback goods in the shape of semi-arid mallee woodlands with its rare flora and fauna, big skies and the iconic shimmer of the salt lake and flats stretching before you. Bush camping under the vast night sky is an experience you’ll never forget. And nature lovers can try their luck spotting the local wildlife, including lizards, the vulnerable malleefowl with a dwindling population, and native endangered rodent species, the Sandhill Dunnart.

Kimba
Halfway Across Australia

One for the art-lovers, Kimba’s eye-catching Silo Art murals and the Kimba Art Trail offer a great distraction for your road-weary eyes. Driving from Port Augusta, you’ll travel 150km past charming outposts and sparse pink-orange-red landscapes to reach quirky Kimba. Pull in for an RV-friendly pit-stop and a coffee break to recharge before the 320km Kimba-to-Ceduna leg of your journey. Along with the Australian Silo Art Trail, Kimba is home to the hard-to-miss Big Galah providing a large pink-grey photo opportunity to commemorate making it halfway across the continent. If you’re not in a rush, take the 6km Roora Nature Trail through White’s Knob Lookout to find sculptures of the explorer, Edward John Eyre, and an ode to the indigenous trackers who helped him become the first European to cross the continent. 

Kimba to Ceduna – Arts, Ants and Ancient Stone

The 320km drive from Kimba to Ceduna is sprinkled with small, welcoming towns that make you feel like you're stepping back in time. 

  • Wudinna: If you fancy yourself a budding geologist, don’t miss what’s known as Australia’s Granite Country. Unlike Uluru, which is the nation’s largest rock monolith, standing at 335m and made of sandstone, you are free to climb Mount Wudinna. Known as the country’s second-largest granite monolith, hike up to its pink-granite peak for sweeping views from the 261m summit, or explore Turtle Rock and Little Wudinna. For more stone studying, stop at The Australian Farmer in town, a 5m granite sculpture honouring rural Australian resilience. 

  • Minnipa: Take the 40km detour to the Gawler Ranges National Park, a rugged outback park rich in wildlife, rocky ridges, and Indigenous heritage. Wander around Pildappa Rock, a wave-shaped granite formation with free camping and unforgettable sunsets. You’ll find excellent 4WD touring, a peaceful bush setting, and scenic highlights like the Organ Pipes, Yandinga Gorge, and seasonal waterfalls.

  • Poochera: This tiny town's claim to fame is Australia’s rarest ant, the dinosaur ant, thought to date back at least 70 million years. The famous insect attracts entomologists from around the globe.

  • Streaky Bay: Check out ancient wonders, the naturally formed Smooth Pool and the phenomenal Murphy’s Haystacks, a gravity-defying collection of granite boulders that look like they’ve fallen from space.

Each of these towns offers small shops, friendly locals, and fantastic motorhome-friendly stops. Whether you’re rolling through or staying overnight, you’ll find a welcoming slow-travel vibe.

Ceduna – Last Stop Before The Nullarbor

After all that granite, saltbush and silence, Ceduna feels like a seaside oasis. Set on the shores of Murat Bay, Ceduna is the gateway to the Nullarbor Plain and a welcome stop before the big crossing. Park your RV near the historic jetty, explore the foreshore walking trail, or treat yourself to a delicious seafood sunset dinner with views over the bay. There are several well-equipped caravan parks, and it’s worth taking a detour out to Laura Bay Conservation Park or Streaky Bay for a few extra days by the water.

Planning Your Trip – Distance and Drive Times

If you’re travelling the return trip from Ceduna to Port Augusta, allow roughly 5 to 6 hours of drive time, more if you’re stopping. Here’s our quick guide to distances you’ll travel on the Port Augusta to Ceduna route:

  • Port Augusta to Kimba: 150km
  • Kimba to Ceduna: 320km
  • Distance Port Augusta to Ceduna (direct): 470km

Port Augusta to Ceduna – A Trip Worth Making

Although the distance from Port Augusta to Ceduna could take you 5 hours non-stop, the route we’ve mapped out offers a unique taste of inland Australia, its charming early-settler communities, untouched coastlines and staggering rock formations. Whether you’re going from Ceduna to Port Augusta or the other way around, this motorhome trip with a few slight detours is well worth the drive. 

If you’re keen to look at a brand-new Windsor RV to explore the stunning Eyre Peninsula region and ensure you take the drive in ultra-comfort, speak to one of our friendly staff to book a tour and test-drive of our latest models.





Image Credit:

  • “Ceduna Jetty” by kookr, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. View image
  • “Great Australian Bight” by denisbin, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. View image
  • “Ceduna Foreshore Hotel” by denisbin, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. View image
  • “Ceduna Jetty, Ceduna, 2017 (05)” by Bahnfrend, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. View image
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