If you are a nature loving traveller crossing the continent along the Eyre Highway a visit to The Eyre Bird Observatory is a must; it will fun, exciting, enjoyable and most rewarding!
We are situated on some of Australia’s most remote coastline in the far south east of Western Australia, approximately 50kms south east of Cocklebiddy and 800m north from the Great Australian Bight coast.
Unfortunately, there are no public transportation services available. Private vehicle access is the only option.
Accommodation in our heritage-listed 1897 telegraph station is available for booking but must be reserved in advance.
Please note that pets and camping are not permitted once you leave the Eyre Highway. You will be within The Nuytsland Nature Reserve.
Approximate distances; including driving times with no rest breaks are:
- From Perth: 1,200 kms / 12 hours
- From Adelaide: 1,550 kms / 17 hours
- From Kalgoorlie: 670 kms / 7.50 hours
- From Esperence: 688 kms / 7.50 hours
- From Norseman: 485 kms / 5.50 hours
- From Cocklebiddy: 50 kms / 1.50 hours
- From Cocklebiddy east to the turnoff from Eyre Hwy; 17 kms / 15 minutes
- From the Eyre Hwy turn off to the lookout: 17 kms / 20-30 minutes
- From the lookout to the top of the escarpment: 3 kms / 10 minutes
- From the lookout to the EBO: 13kms / 40 – 50 minutes – 4WD vehicles only
Location map
For your safety, that of other travellers and to keep the access sand track in good condition, please note:
- If you are driving a 2WD vehicle, motorhome, caravan or have a trailer or any vehicle with a low clearance and wish to visit, you must book accommodation by prior arrangement. You will leave your vehicle at the lookout for the duration of your stay.
- The track to the observatory from the top of the escarpment is suitable for heavy duty four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles with high clearance only.
- These vehicles will need to reduce tire pressure once below the escarpment to continue on the last 10kms of track which is sand.
- Trailers and vehicles with low clearance are not permitted on the track.
- The distance from the Lookout to the observatory is about 13 kms.
- The distance from the observatory is indicated by road markers every kilometre along this track.
By prior arrangement a pickup and drop-off service to the observatory is offered by the caretakers for guests with accommodation bookings staying for 2 nights or more, who do not have 4WD vehicles and are leaving 2WD vehicles etc, at the lookout.
There are stipulated pick-up times from the lookout. These are 8.30 am and 3.30 pm. Please always check with the caretakers the night before so you can be there at the correct time.
Visitors will also be dropped back to the lookout at these times.
Advance booking is essential for overnight stays.
Transportation is NOT provided for day visitors, you will need a 4WD vehicle.
- Leave motorhomes, trailers and caravans etc. at the lookout.
- Drive a further 3 km to the top of the escarpment.
- If you have a UHF radio, call the caretakers on channel 12 from the top of the scarp to check if the track is clear of other vehicles, and the condition of the track
- Proceed 1.2 km down the escarpment to the Madura turnoff (Green Bottle Junction)
- Take the right-hand road to Eyre Bird Observatory (signposted)
- Deflate tyres to manufacturers’ recommendations for sand driving (about 20 PSI, as a general guide) to prevent getting bogged and/or damaging the sand track.
We have our own time zone! Eyre Bird Observatory runs one hour ahead of Perth.
Driving to EBO video.