TripRoundUnder

Given it’s a gloomy day today in Western Australia, I thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase some of the best and most underrated beaches in our home state of South Australia.

Number 5- Emu Bay (Kangaroo Island)

Starting off with probably the most difficult and expensive journey in order to get to the beach, we have Kangaroo Island’s Emu bay. This beach has everything, you can drive on it, crystal clear water, dolphins frequenting the bay and if you drive down a little, little to no crowds.

When we visited, we didn’t even have the best weather and it was still gorgeous. Even though you would get by in a 2wd car, we would advise dropping your tyre pressures and avoid driving higher up the beach.

Number 4- Perlubie Beach

Although our number four can be a little busy, I still believe that it deserves a place on this list. Perlubie Beach, just outside Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula is a must for anybody travelling through the area. Even better, the beach is 2wd access!

Protected by an island, the protected beach and shallow water makes for a perfect place to go for a summer swim after a long day of driving. If you’re able to bring a tinnie, there’s a perfect seaweed patch just off the beach that delivers a decent catch of squid and you could even make your way out to the island in the bay!

Number 3- Greenly Beach

Another Eyre Peninsula special is Greenly Beach. This clifftop camp/beach and rockpool heaven is a must visit or camp if you are in the region. Located 30 minutes outside Coffin Bay (also a must visit), you do have to drive down a pretty rough dirt road with more than a couple of pot holes, so please drive carefully. However, the drive in is definitely worth it, as this is the view you are greeted to from your campsite or park.

This place has everything, a close to shore surf break, including some friendly local dolphins wanting to join in! Rockpools created by the impressive rock formations at the edge of the bay and even some great salmon fishing from off the rocks, although please do be careful.

Number 2- Sellicks Beach

At number two and closer to home on our native Fleurieu (try and spell that right the first time) Peninsula, we have Sellicks Beach. In my eyes, this is almost the perfect beach and would have been number one if not for sentimental reasons. Less than an hours drive from Adelaide, this is also one of the easier places to access and this is further added to by it being a free car accessible beach and dog friendly. In summer, there are even food vans that park up at the entrance to the beach and who doesn’t want a pizza on the beach watching a sunset.

I have spent many summer afternoons sitting in the tray of the ute watching a glorious SA sunset be reflected off the hills and the bright blue water. If you’re ever in the area, make sure you stop by and you even might see myself and Toby the groodle parked up.

Number 1- Carrickalinga Beach

Finally at number one, we have a place very dear to our hearts in Carrickalinga Beach. Some of the best sunsets we have ever seen have been at this beach and when it’s a good day at ‘Carri’, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. My partner has a family “shack” a few streets back from the beach and New Years Eve almost always brings a calm warm evening by the water. Local fireworks set off at the Normanville jetty down the road always provides the goods for those wanting a little more excitement. Dogs are even allowed on the beach and in our opinion, that is always worth its weight in gold.

There is also a marine conservation area right next door which wraps its way from the edge of the beach around the coastline, perfect for a snorkel amongst the rockpools and a SUP on the calm days.

Bonus beach- Carrickalinga Secret Beach

Because we are generous sorts, we thought we would give a bonus beach out as a reward for our loyal readers. This beach doesn’t have a name on google maps as far as I am aware, so we call it the secret beach. You can either access it via a SUP or a slightly sketchy walk around the cliffs and depending on the day, you might have the whole thing to yourself! Basically, it is just North of Carrickalinga Beach, but please keep it a secret!