History & Heritage
Aboriginal people have populated the Eyre Peninsula for many thousands of years, from the desert dwellers in the far west to the coastal inhabitants. There are many dreaming stories about the development of culture, geology and wildlife. This oral history has been passed down through many generations.
European settlement in the 1800s dramatically changed the cultural and natural landscape here. This included the farming of the land and building of towns, roads and ports. In 1850 the Poonindie Training Settlement 15 kilometres north of Port Lincoln was established as the first Aboriginal Training Institute in Australia. At Poonindie, many Aboriginal people from around Australia learned about dry land farming techniques unti it closed in 1984.
There are many language groups in the region, with the four major population centres of Aboriginal people being in Port Lincoln, Ceduna, Yalata and Koonibba. The local Aboriginal population makes a substantial contribution to the Eyre Peninsula communities, including in business, land management, arts, sports and cultural activities.
Early Sea Exploration
Dutchman Peter Nuyts sighted Eyre Peninsula's coast in 1627. It was nearly another 200 years before Matthew Flinders arrived on the coast in early 1802. He spent nearly three months mapping the coastline. Not long after, Frenchmen Nicholas Baudin and Louis Freycinet surveyed this coast. Neither explorer considered it a land of riches, mainly due to the poor water supply. Further surveys took place with the first permanent European settlements taking place at Port Lincoln in 1839 via ketch. After Port Lincoln was settled, large parcels of land were taken up and by the 1870s much of the region was being grazed.
Whaling and Sealing
This was Eyre Peninsula's first main industry and started many years before official settlement. Whale watching is now a popular pasttime.
Land Exploration
Eyre Peninsula was a crossroads and training ground for explorers. Edward John Eyre was the first to extensively map the region. Eyre is best remembered for his journey crossing the Great Australian Bight and the Nullarbor Plain in 1840-41. He was fortunate to be guided by Aborigines who helped him find water and food during his remarkable 1200 mile journey from Streaky Bay to King George's Sound - now known as Albany, in Western Australia.
Up to Today
In the 1800s the government began to split up land holdings, with many becoming too small to be viable for grazing. This is when cropping began in earnest. Over the past 40 years, properties have again become larger as farming methods have changed. Today Eyre Peninsula is one of Australia's premium grain growing and seafood areas, with produce exported all over the world.
