Venus Bay - South Australia
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Attractions

Photos Courtesy : Sebastian Sohlberg, Carmel Chapman and Sally Horne.

Dolphins and Seals

There is nothing more fun than seeing a pod of dolphin’s swimming play around the bow of your boat. Dolphins and Seals come into Venus Bay all year round and play/feed in the bay. Another attraction close to Venus Bay is the Point Labatt Sea Lion Colony which is approx 25 min north of Venus Bay .

Town Jetty - Boasts good fishing all year-round for the keen fisherman and is lit up at night for the even keener fisherman. If your lucky you will see a pod of Dolphins from the Jetty and in summer it makes for a great platform for the older kids to jetty jump.

Swimming

Right near the jetty at Venus Bay is a safe swimming area. The older kids can jetty jump or use the swimming platform and the Adult’s can relax on the beach.

The back beaches between Venus Bay and Mount Camel are excellent surf beaches for the more adventuresome.

Needle Eye Lookout - Located in town offers spectacular views of natural rock formations, rugged cliffs and breathtaking coastline as far as the eye can see. A great viewing spot for the Southern Right Whales during the months of June - October as they migrate to the Great Australian Bight.

South Head Walking Trail - Located at the end of town this trail will take you around the tip of the peninsula of Venus Bay. Whilst strolling you may see 30-40 dolphins surfing and frolicking through the waves at the entrance. You may also spot the Australian sea lion, sea eagles and the Southern Right Whales when in season. You may even stumble across some 100,000 year old fossil cocoons locally known as "clogs". The weevils of these cocoons (Leptoptus duponti) once habitated these areas. Bring a camera and binoculars.

Talia Cave Tourist Drive - Approx 20 mins drive south of Venus Bay. This tourist drive offers you two sightings to explore both beautifully coloured by the distinctive limestone and granite formation common to these areas.

The first cave has walkway access to enable you to view this spectacular piece of the coast. The beautiful big white sandy beach at the end of this drive is Talia Beach and is popular for surf and rock fishing.

Mount Camel Beach - Is approx 10 mins drive south of Venus Bay. This is a pristine beach and offers excellent surf fishing all year round for salmon, mullet and large tommies. It is also a beautiful relaxing surf beach.

Venus Bay Conservation Park

Approx 30 kms northwest of Venus Bay and Port Kenny.

Comprised of 1695 hectares this park offers you a unique coastal experience. There are seven islands within Venus Bay, its own unique island Tombolo and Weyland peninsula. Spectacular coastal views and wildlife is in its purest form and you will find yourself amongst Rock Parrots, Sea Eagles, Kangaroos, Brush Tailed Bettongs and Hopping Mice. 4WD access only and camping is not permitted. Day visitors welcome.

The Sunset

Best view is from the end of town the South Head Walking Trail ..this will take you around the tip of the peninsula of Venus Bay.

Proffesional Photos Courtesy : Andrew Zealand , To Purchase Copies, Email: zeals67@hotmail.com

Baird Bay

Approx 50 kms northwest of Venus Bay and Port Kenny.

Baird Bay is the shallow western arm of Anxious Bay, which Captain Flinders was unable to see even from the topmast in 1802. The total area of the bay covers about 3,800 hectares with a beautiful sweeping beach in the town's foreground. He saw only the mouth with its small island (now Jones Island). The bay was named after one of the area's early sheep graziers, James Baird.

Local Geology and Granite Formations

Ucontitchie Hill

30 kms to the South of Wudinna

Ucontitchie Hill is a prominent landmark 30 kilometres to the South of Wudinna. Ucontitchie Hill is a domed granite formation rising to a height of 37 metres above the surrounding plain. As an Inselberg structure it is of international geological significance and exhibits many well developed and well defined structures and forms that are a result of chemical weathering processes. About 300 people visit Uncontitchie Hill each year.

Murphy's Haystacks - Approx 25 min north of Venus Bay

Murphy's Hay Stacks were weathered and sculpted into their present form about 100,000 years ago. Geologists say the Hay Stacks are composed of pink granite from the Hiltaba suite of rocks which were laid down some 1500 million years ago. Amazingly these beautiful pink granites were formed at a depth of 7 to 10 kilometres below the earth's surface. Check out the website at http://www.murphys-haystacks.com/

Local legend says that Murphy's Hay Stacks acquired its name from an Irish agricultural expert who saw this landmark in the distance whilst travelling on a coach. Apparently the learned Irish gentleman was very impressed and informed his fellow passengers that the farmer must have harrowed his land to produce such a great abundance of hay! The original farmer of the land was a Mr. Murphy and to this day the landmark is known as Murphy's Hay Stacks.

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