The Ceduna Cycling Path follows the coastline from the Ceduna Sailing Club to Pinky Point near the Thevenard jetty. It’s officially known as the Encounter Coastal Trail (not to be confused with the Encounter Bike Path in Victor Harbor). While it is only 3.5 kilometres one way (7 km return), it has a lot to offer with beautiful scenery, interesting interpretive signs and surprising artwork.
The town of Ceduna is on the north-western corner of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. It’s the last major settlement if you are crossing the Nullarbor Plain from east to west (as we have recently done).
Soon after arriving in our caravan park at Shelly Beach, I headed out to explore the local area. Cycling four kilometres to the Ceduna Visitor Information Centre, I obtained information about the starting point of the trail and other suggestions.
After a quick ride around the town and jetty area of Ceduna, I made my way to the carpark of the Ceduna Sailing Club. There I found an unsigned concrete path which led through some shrubbery to the start of the trail.
The Ceduna Cycling Path reminded me of the cycling path at Streaky Bay. It was magical to ride next to the gorgeous turquoise and deep blues of the Eyre Peninsula coastal waters. However, unlike the Streaky Bay Cycling Path, this trail was almost completely flat.
Encounter Coastal Path
An interpretive sign explained that the Encounter Coastal Path was developed for the 2002 bicentenary commemorations of the encounter between the English explorer Matthew Flinders and the French scientist Nicholas Baudin. The intention was to celebrate the coming together of the three separate cultures of the British, French and Indigenous Australians.
Aboriginal people still make up 25% of the local population, while the French explorer left his mark by naming a number of landmarks around Ceduna: Murat Bay, Thevenard Point and Decres Bay.
After one kilometre, I left the trail briefly to have some fun riding out along the breakwater of the Puckridge Boat Ramp. From one end of the breakwater I could see the Norfolk Island pines on the foreshore at Ceduna. Looking in the other direction, I could see to Thevenard jetty, just beyond the end of the bike path.
Wind Mobiles on Seaview Terrace
After the detour, I was soon back on the Ceduna Cycling Path, which was now running parallel to Seaview Terrace. After a kilometre or so, an interesting front yard on Seaview Terrace caught my eye. I back-tracked and pushed my bike up a sandy grass hill to get a closer look:
It was a fascinating array of wind mobiles attached to poles running along a corrugated iron fence.
It was quite a breezy afternoon. The mobiles made interesting clickety-clack and whirring sounds.
Pinky Point Lookout
Returning to the Ceduna Cycling Path, I continued on for another 1.5 kilometres to Pinky Point Lookout. At this end-point of the trail, there is seating, a shaded picnic table, an interesting lighthouse memorial, and views across to Thevenard jetty.
A ship was at the jetty. Grain was pouring from the end of the conveyor belt into the hold of the ship. I was surprised to learn that the main cargo handled at Thevenard port is gypsum, followed by grains and seeds, salt, and mineral sands.
The lighthouse memorial commemorated people who have lost their lives at sea. I liked the detailed mosaic decoration.
After a short rest, it was time to return.
Soon I could see the Ceduna Sailing Club and the foreshore of the town in the distance.
On the way back to the caravan, I rode through the grounds of the Ceduna Area School. Nearby at the Ngura Yadurrin Children and Family Health Centre, I came across this beautiful artwork.
Another great piece of community art is on a side wall of Totally Board in McKenzie Street.
In conclusion, the Ceduna Cycling Path is a very enjoyable, flat ride, suitable for the whole family. Needless to say, it’s best done at a time when it’s not too hot!
The Cape Bauer Loop at Streaky Bay is another outstanding ride on the Eyre Peninsula, but not suitable for beginners.
