Tumby Bay
Eyre Peninsula
Tumby Bay was given the name by Captain Matthew Flinders in 1802, and by the 1840's settlers began arriving into the region and farmed the area predominantly in sheep and wheat. Tumby Bay grew to be an important storage and loading point to support the surrounding area, and in 1874 a jetty was built which provided an outlet for the copper ore being mined close by. The name Tumby was proclaimed on the 15th of November 1900, and on June 14, 1984 the town officially became known as Tumby Bay.
The town still acts as an important service centre to support the surrounding agricultural community, and has all of the major amenities, including a modern hospital and good shopping facilities.
Tumby Bay is on a large sheltered bay of white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. Its temperate climate makes it an ideal location for holidaying all year round, whether it's relaxing on the 10km long white sandy beach, fishing or snorkelling and scuba diving in the safe calm waters. If you have your own boat, you can even water ski within the bay.
Tumby Bay Island is found within the bay itself and on low summer tides you can wade across to it (always check tide times though before you set out), or outside of the bay there is a small archipelago of islands called the Sir Joseph Banks Group which can be reached by boat.
Fishing is one of the major drawcards to Tumby Bay with a good range of species to fish for, including the King George Whiting and Snapper. You can fish off of the town jetty, from the beach and rocky areas, or launch your boat from the marina. There are also fishing charters that operate out of Tumby Bay.
Tumby Bay is situated around 50kms North of Port Lincoln, or 600kms from Adelaide. Flights are available into Port Lincoln and you can rent a car from the Port Lincoln Airport.
Tumby Bay Attractions
Mangrove Boardwalk
Enjoy a nature walk over Tumby Bay's Mangrove Boardwalk where you will see a range of habitats including a tidal estuarine creek, mud flats, salt marshes and sand dunes. The marshes are used as a natural nursery and spawning ground for some of the fish species found in the area.
The Interpretive Mangrove Boardwalk is found near the causeway and the southern end of the bay, a short distance from the town centre.
C L Alexander National Trust Museum
The Tumby Bay National Trust Museum holds an interesting collection of memorabilia from the time Tumby Bay was first settled, including copies from the voyage of Matthew Flinders from 1803 showing maps and letters etc. check for opening hours when you arrive in Tumby Bay.
Cnr West Terrace & Lipson Road
Telephone: 08 8688 2760 or 08 8688 2050
Tumby Bay & Island Charters
Tumby Bay & Island Charters offer a number of options to suit your requirement, from half or full day fishing trips, watching the sunset settle over the horizon, to overnight charters out to the Sir Joseph Banks Group of islands.
www.fishtumby.com.au
mick@fishtumby.com.au
Telephone: David 0427 248 660 or Mick 0410 681 035
Port Lincoln Weather - Average Temperatures and Rainfall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg. Max (°C) | 25.7 | 25.8 | 23.9 | 21.7 | 19.3 | 16.7 | 15.9 | 16.7 | 18.8 | 20.7 | 22.7 | 24.4 |
| Avg. Min (°C) | 15.7 | 16.2 | 14.5 | 12.1 | 10.4 | 8.6 | 7.6 | 7.1 | 8.2 | 9.5 | 12.1 | 13.9 |
| Avg. Rain (mm) | 17.4 | 11.8 | 18.0 | 16.0 | 43.3 | 64.1 | 55.8 | 49.6 | 37.3 | 30.5 | 18.5 | 18.1 |
| Avg. Rain Days | 4.4 | 3.7 | 5.1 | 7.9 | 14.6 | 17.2 | 18.4 | 17.7 | 13.1 | 9.4 | 6.5 | 5.9 |