Murphy’s Haystacks: Boulders on Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

Just off the Flinders Highway on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, Murphy’s Haystacks look like giant pink teeth. But they’re not…

Murphy’s Haystacks is a strange rock formation just off the Flinders Highway on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. They’re worth pulling off the highway for on the drive from Port Lincoln to Streaky Bay, or Port Lincoln to Ceduna.

The Murphy’s Haystacks tourist site is on private land, around 40km south of Streaky Bay.

What are Murphy’s Haystacks in South Australia?

Technically, these weird rocks are an inselberg – like Uluru or Pildappa Rock. Once upon a time, these granite boulders and pillars were buried deep in the earth’s crust. But over the course of hundreds of thousands of years, the surrounding rocks were eroded and transported away across the landscape.

Murphy’s Haystacks haven’t risen out of the ground. These bizarre pink rocks are simply what’s left. They’re the hardy, battle-worn survivors. They just so happen to look like the teeth of a giant that has eaten far, far too much sugar.

Murphy's Haystacks on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula — Murphy’s Haystacks on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Photo courtesy of the South Australian Tourism Commission.

How to get to Murphy’s Haystacks, Eyre Peninsula

Getting to Murphy’s Haystacks is simple enough. There’s a turning off the Flinders Highway at the tiny settlement of Mortana. From there, it’s about a 2km drive to Murphy’s Haystacks, along the road to Sceale Bay.

They’re best seen at sunrise or sunset, when the moving sun causes Murphy’s Haystacks to change colours. Photographers will have a field day in the best light.

There’s not an official entry fee for seeing Murphy’s Haystacks, but a gold coin donation is requested. This fee goes towards maintaining the toilets and picnic area.

Other things to do on the western side of the Eyre Peninsula include spotting emus in the Coffin Bay National Park, swimming in the rock pools at Greenly Beach and snorkelling with sea lions at Baird Bay.