Destinations > Off The Beaten Track

Moving further west, take as many of the side roads that you can, the main road leaves the coast and whilst the farming land can be quite delightful, it is the coast that hides the real treasures. One of these is Talia Caves and Beach. On the road into Talia Beach look for the signposts to the woolshed, this is not a historic structure but a huge cavern weathered into the coastline by Mother Nature. A walkway and steps lead to the Woolshed giving the visitor the opportunity to look deep into this incredible cavern. Another example of erosion is found nearby at the Tub. This is a large crater in the cliff with a weathered tunnel leading to the sea.

If you don't mind wetting a line on your 4WD safari, then drop into Venus Bay. Here the fishing is as good as it gets, and as easy as you like with good catches off the jetty. Oh yes, the scenery is pretty good too, take a walk along the South Head Walking Trail and don't be surprised if you spot a few dolphins, sea lions or southern right whales, if in the area between May and October.

Streaky Bay might only be 60km away but there is a lot to see before you reach this great spot. For something a little different, take the turn off to the signposted, Murphy Haystacks. These unusual granite rock formations are found in the middle of a farmer's crop. Make a donation at the gate on your way in and then walk amongst the weird rock formations. On the opposite side of the main road is Baird Bay, famous for its sea lion family. Here you can join an organised tour that allows you to swim with these beautiful creatures of the deep, certainly an experience not to be missed.

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I love the slogan used by Streaky Bay, 'Take a peek, stay a week', it sums up this exquisite spot fairly well. I have camped right on the water's edge at the Foreshore Caravan Park where you can sit in your camp chair and watch the red glow of a sunset over the water and then get up early the next morning and watch the return of the sun in another red blazing sky also reflected in the waters of the bay. Streaky Bay was named by, none other than, Captain Matthew Flinders in 1802, who saw the unusual steaks of colour in the bay (not because he was running naked around the decks of his boat!). The streaks are formed by oils given off by the abundant seaweed that grows in the bay.

Although Streaky Bay itself is simply beautiful, there are many little hidden treasures around the coastline. One of my favourites are the blowholes. Follow the coast road out of Streaky Bay to Cape Bauer, more incredible foreshore scenery awaits you. As you follow the coastline, look for the signpost to the blowholes. The car park is just off the main road and the walk down to the cliffs is about 300m. Here one of the most eerie sounds you will hear is found. As the huge swells of the Great Southern Ocean pound against the rock platforms and undercut cliffs beneath your feet, a monster lurks somewhere underground and hisses and wheezes with each wave. The rock platform on which you stand is honeycombed with small apertures and as the waves rush across the rock platform and slam into the undercut cliff, air is trapped until it finds its way straight up through the small rock crevices. The air actually rushes out at your feet with great velocity, enough to lift a lady's dress or blow a bloke's hat off! The accompanying sound is something to behold and this is one place definitely not to visit after dark if you don't like things that go bump in the dark!

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