About this place
The Eyre Bird Observatory was established as Australia's first bird observatory by Birds Australia (formerly the RAOU) in 1977.
The observatory is a lovely old stone building nestled between leafy woodlands and striking white dunes within walking distance of the beach. It was built in 1897 to serve as a telegraph station on the Intercolonial Telegraph Line (South Australia to Western Australia). It is located near the site where explorer Edward John Eyre found water during his overland journey from Adelaide to Albany in 1841. The station was deserted in 1930 and remained so until its restoration in 1977.
The building now incorporates a fine natural history library and a small museum, which provides some history of the Eyre Telegraph Station and the telegraph line. It also contains information and displays on the coastal environments, including past activities such as whaling.
Ruins of other telegraph stations built on the Intercolonial Telegraph Line are located to the east at Eucla (near Eucla National Park) and to the west at Israelite Bay, which lies within Nuytsland Nature Reserve.
Day visitors and overnight guests to the observatory welcome but booking is essential. Contact Eyre Bird Observatory caretakers before arrival. Ph: 08 9039 3450 or eyre@birdlife.org.au.
Safety information
Plan when to visit. Consider travelling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life!
Activities
Bird watching
Bushwalking
Plants, wildlife and fungi
Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded within a 5km radius of Eyre Bird Observatory.
Traditional Owners
We recognise and acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional owners of Nuytsland Nature Reserve.