The Chair’s Where? Arno Bay in South Australia

Not too many of us haven't heard of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. This peninsula has been tagged the ‘Seafood Frontier’ and for good reason.

With iconic fishing industries based around Port Lincoln, with aquaculture developing kingfish, tuna and mulloway stocks, fishing charters abundant, an abundance of prawns and the world-renowned Coffin Bay Oysters, it is no wonder people flock to the many quaint and historical villages that front this coast line.

Shaped like a triangle, the Eyre Peninsula has a sea coast on both the east and western sides ensuring a visitor can pick the ‘wind and weather’ to suit the occasion!

Arno Bay

Being some 530km from Adelaide, this venue makes for a good road trip by car or motorhome. The drive will allow great views of the pristine waters associated with both the St Vincent Gulf and the Spencer Gulf.

Both areas abound in history, the roads are sealed major routes and all relevant services and shopping is readily available along the way. The township itself has a long history both as a fishing community, a source of supply for hinterland farmers, and as a significant cog in the growth of the wool industry.

In town a ‘must do’ is the Big Shed – with a collage of information accounting for more than 150 years of history.

Take a stroll along the Boardwalk and Mangrove Trail whilst enjoying the view. Oh, don’t forget the nearby pub for a great feed and a quick coldy!

Arno Bay Caravan Park

So why not the local caravan park? I mean ‘wake up and smell the roses’, this place is great! I mean literally ‘smell the roses’! The rose garden adjacent to reception has over 200 rose bushes planted and is a delight to see, and smell.

Here we already see how friendly this place will be,  you can borrow cutters from reception, cut some roses, and enjoy the bouquet in your room, van or motorhome during your stay. A real first for the traveller.

After having decided on a cabin or a site, it is time to check what day of the week it is. At this venue Wednesday is Fish and Chip night, Saturday is Beef and Burgundy night, Sunday is a free Pancake Breakfast! Every day sees cheap ‘prawns and oysters’ available for the discerning traveller. Better still – the venue is licensed so enjoy an Arno Bay Shiraz, a cold beer or something else if you prefer.

The fishing!

Testimony to the likelihood of catching fish is a well appointed ‘fish cleaning’ facility contained within the park but, better still, only a few steps away is an old style jetty for young and old to try their angling skills.

The jetty is steeped in history as well – it was built, then lengthened, lengthened again, and then shortened to the current dimensions. Why, I hear you ask? All to do with the types of boats and ships that tied up at this location across the course of a century.

Nearby one can find the ‘famous’ Jetty Café. This place opens early so if a good breakfast is on the agenda – walk about 100 metres and there you have it. Bacon and egg rolls, breakfast wraps, sit-down brekky and other tantalising morsels to make a positive start to the day.

Great venue, great staff, great town – great experience.

Happy Days and Happy Travels.

THE CHAIR

(DriveNow has teamed up with "The Chair", none other than Dennis Werthenbach, the enigmatic and super popular chairman of the board for Family Parks Holiday Parks & Campgrounds - for more than 26 years, Family Parks has represented independent caravan parks and camping grounds, promoting fantastic holiday destinations for travellers young and old. With so many great caravan and camping parks throughout Australia and New Zealand, Family Parks is more than just a holiday, it’s a unique holiday experience.)

DriveNow Team

More Posts

You might also be interested in