Cactus Beach

Cactus Beach was a stop-over en route from Kalgoorlie to Adelaide, a round trip of 4,200 kilometers (2,600 miles). This was my first ever independent road trip at the ripe old age of 18.

The beach lies off the Nullarbor along the Eyre Highway, 21 kilometres south of Penong in South Australia. It is well-signposted these days, but it was challenging to follow the myriad of tracks in 1978. You turn off at the Penong School and head south. Set aside a good hour, as the round trip takes the best part of it. Even when you know where you are going!

Nowadays, many will have a GPS. However, don’t take the trip lightly. If you are not familiar with the high temperatures, aridity and distances of the Australian Nullarbor. My old XR Falcon ute had no issues. Unlike the Holden hidden behind my tent that had the bonnet removed due to overheating issues.

Cactus Beach Surfing

It has become a mecca for serious surfers along with Point Sinclair. Even all those years ago, people braved the rocks and sharks to catch good waves. In 2013 the area became a National Surfing Reserve due to several nationally recognised surfing breaks. The remote beach has its fair share of visits by Great White Pointer Sharks. In those years, I wasn’t a fisherman or surfer but the approach, environment, isolation and beach made for a beautiful couple of days.

No matter what time of year you visit, you will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience in one of South Australia’s most beautiful locations. With its wild beauty and remote location, it truly has something special that you won’t soon forget!

If you are swimming, diving or surfing you can view the current swell forecast on Willy Weather and another useful site is Beachsafe.