Elliston – Clifftop Coast, Coastal Trails and Local History

Elliston lies on the shores of Waterloo Bay. Clifftop trails, views of the bay and islands, and insights into the town’s history reveal different facets of the coastal landscape. If you’re looking for holiday accommodation in Elliston, you can base your choice on whether you’d prefer to hike, spend time by the water or learn more about the area’s maritime and agricultural heritage.

Explore the clifftop coast on foot or by car

The Elliston Coastal Trail is 13.6 kilometres long and runs along the clifftop coast between Little Bay Surf Break and Cape Finniss. You can explore the route on foot or by car. If you don’t want to take in the entire trail, you can choose shorter sections: Little Bay Trail, Cliff Top Trail or Beach Loop. The trails are gentle and well maintained, with compacted surfaces throughout.

The two scenic loop trails each offer their own highlights. From the lookout on the Little Bay Cliff Top Loop, you can see the Top Gallant Isles, Flinders Island, Pearson Island, part of Waldegrave Island, Bird Rock and Waterloo Bay. The view also takes in the township of Elliston and the surrounding farmland. The Anxious Bay Cliff Top Loop offers views of Anxious Bay, the islands and the Blacks surf spot; sculptures line the cliffs.

Waterloo Bay and activities by the water

Elliston is recommended for fishing, swimming, surfing and bushwalking. On the shores of Waterloo Bay, there’s a pontoon for swimming, along with an upgraded picnic and barbecue area. Elliston Jetty is ideal for walking and fishing. At 424 metres long, it’s a striking feature by the water. For another beach visit, Walkers Rock is 13 kilometres from Elliston; activities there include swimming, fishing, surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Local history and distinctive details

Elliston Jetty is heritage-listed. Its steel piles were screwed directly into the seabed using a horse-drawn winch. This unusual construction tells the story of the jetty’s engineering history and sets it apart from a simple waterside lookout.

The mural at Elliston Community Hall depicts life in Elliston and reflects its maritime and agricultural heritage. The Recognition Sculpture stands on the cliff overlooking Little Bay Surf Break. There’s a place to sit and reflect on the spirit of reconciliation. The cemetery also offers insights into Elliston’s history and the lives of people who came to the west coast to start a new life.

More things to do in town and the surrounding area

Elliston Trudinger Park Playground and Skatepark has play equipment and a barbecue area. At Elliston Sports Centre, you can borrow tennis rackets to play tennis year-round; golf clubs are also available to borrow for a round of golf during the winter months. Every year, from 1 June to 31 August, the Australian Salmon Fishing Championship is held under the management of Elliston Community & Visitor Information Centre.

Elliston Community and Visitor Information Centre provides information and services for the local area and wider region. It also sells souvenirs, clothing, and locally made art, crafts and produce. Twenty-two kilometres south of Elliston, near the Tungatta Lakes, a pull-off area offers an excellent example of dry-stone walling.

The easiest way to reach Elliston is by car. The town also has an all-weather airstrip suitable for small aircraft. For more ideas, you can also discover Talia.

For the broader travel overview: District Council of Elliston.