Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula | |
|---|---|
Near Lipson Cove | |
Eyre Peninsula | |
| Coordinates: 34°S 136°E / 34°S 136°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | South Australia |
| Region | Eyre Western Far North |
| LGA | |
| Government | |
| • State electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Area | |
• Total | 170,500 km2 (65,800 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 58,700 (2011) |
| • Density | 0.3443/km2 (0.8917/sq mi) |
| Population Area Coordinates | |
The Eyre Peninsula is a triangular peninsula in South Australia. It is bounded by the Spencer Gulf on the east, the Great Australian Bight on the west, and the Gawler Ranges to the north.
Earlier called Eyre's Peninsula, it was named after explorer Edward John Eyre, who explored parts of the peninsula in 1839–41. The coastline was first charted by the expeditions of Matthew Flinders in 1801–02 and French explorer Nicolas Baudin around the same time. Flinders also named the nearby Yorke's Peninsula and Spencer's Gulph on the same voyage.
The peninsula's economy is primarily agricultural, with growing aquaculture, mining, and tourism sectors. The main towns are Port Lincoln in the south, Whyalla and Port Augusta in the northeast, and Ceduna in the northwest. Port Lincoln (Galinyala in Barngarla), Whyalla and Port Augusta (Goordnada) are part of the Barngarla Aboriginal country. Ceduna is within Wirangu country.