Wildly Wonderful Whyalla

A campervan holiday is always a great way to discover parts of Australia. While the East coast is home to some truly beautiful sights and cities, if you venture down to the South of Australia, you will find some truly amazing places that are yet to be ruined by the crowds and progress that tourism brings.

One of these places is Whyalla, which is the largest city in the Upper Spencer Gulf Region of Western Australia. Its location on the Western foreshores makes it an ideal place for a campervan holiday, as its close to a wide range of attractions and natural wonders. While the town is relatively small, it is packed to the brim with fun and adventurous things to do. It is also easily accessible from Adelaide, located less than 400 kilometres away. Essentially this means that you can pick up your campervan from the capital city and then make a day of it as you travel across some of the country's most unique landscapes.

Whyalla is highly regarded as the place where "the outback meets the sea". Not many would deny this title because as soon as you arrive in town, you can't help but notice the untouched outback landscape and the vast coastline scenic views which encapsulate the essence of the city. Whyalla truly is an ideal holiday destination, as it is not only beautiful, but also rich in culture and heritage; a place where the locals will make you feel right at home.

The first thing you should probably do when you get into town is find yourself a place to stay (if you haven't already booked in advance). Popular caravan parks in the Whyalla region include the Foreshore Caravan Park and Whyalla Caravan Park. Both of these parks offer comfortable accommodation that will meet the every need of you and your campervan. They are also suitable to pretty much any budget and the great news is that you can enjoy beach front views, right from your very window.

Once you have settled in, it's time to start exploring. Now, when it comes to things to see and do, Whyalla sure won't let you down. There is an abundance of local activities available for the whole family to enjoy. The beaches, in particular the new Foreshore area, offer safe swimming and fishing, along with excellent BBQ and playground facilities. Alternatively, take a leisurely walk along one of the countless walking tracks, located along the coastline. The Flinders & Freycinet Lookout boasts spectacular views of the Upper Spencer Gulf, Southern Flinders Range and Middleback Range in the West.

Local history is another important aspect of this town. It most prominently shines through in the form of the featured Memorial to Matthew Flinders, the original European Navigator of South Australia. Definitely take a look at this memorial, as it paints an important and interesting picture of Australia's past.

Whyalla's history and heritage is also dominant in the Whyalla Conservation Park. A feature of the park is Wild Dog Hill, which is packed full of native flora and fauna. The park is also an important landmark in Aboriginal history and the concept of Dreaming Stories. Perfect for non-Australian tourists to gain an understanding of the traditional people of the land.

As you drive your campervan hire along the Northern Coastline of Whyalla, you will come across Fitzgerald Bay. This pristine bay offers impressive views of the Blue Gulf Waters and the Southern Flinders Range, so be sure to have your camera on hand. While driving along the coast you will also notice the Shingle Beach Ridges, a geographical phenomenon of stone ridge man-made barriers.

Driving your campervan around Whyalla will open your eyes to the beauty that is so prominent here. The natural wonders that surround you will leave you spell-bound and in awe. Whyalla is a truly wonderful place that should definitely be visited if you are in Australia's southern state. You will not be disappointed!

Christine Barton