Streaky Bay, South Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Streaky Bay
state = sa

---

caption = Map of South Australia highlighting Streaky Bay's location in yellow
lga = District Council of Streaky Bay
postcode = 5680
est = 1872
pop = 1077 (2001 Census)
elevation= 12.2
maxtemp = 23
mintemp = 18
rainfall = 373.9
stategov = Flinders
fedgov = Grey
dist1 = 727
dir1 = North West
location1= Adelaide

Streaky Bay is a coastal town on the western side of the Eyre Peninsula, in South Australia just off the Flinders Highway 303 km north west of Port Lincoln and 727 km by road from Adelaide.

The town of Streaky Bay is the major population centre of the District Council of Streaky Bay, and the centre of an agricultural district farming cereal crops and sheep, as well as having established fishing and tourism industries.

History

The first European to sight the area was Dutch explorer Pieter Nuyts, in 1627 in the "Golden Zeepaard". A monument has been erected on the median strip in Bay Road.

In 1802 Matthew Flinders named Streaky Bay whilst on his voyage in the "Investigator". In his log of February 5, 1802, he describes:

:"And the water was much discoloured in Streaks... and i called it Streaky Bay" [Cite web|url=http://www.streakybay.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=194 | author= District Council of Streaky Bay | title = Streaky Bay: Our History | date = 2 May 2006 | accessdate = 2007-06-23 ]

It is now known thought these streaks are caused by the release of oils by certain species of seaweed in the bay. [cite web | url = http://www.tep.com.au/region/streaky_bay.htm | author = Tourism Eyre Peninsula | title = Eyre Peninsula Tourism (Streaky Bay)| date = 29 January 2007 | accessdate = 2007-03-26 ]

In 1839, Edward John Eyre, the renowned explorer, established a small base about 3 kilometres from the Streaky Bay Township which he used as a store for his overland expeditions to Point Bell. This site, known as Eyre's Waterhole, can still be seen today just off the road to Port Kenny.
Wheat growing began in the 1880s and by 1906, 31,000 bags of wheat and 470 bales of wool had been exported from Streaky Bay by ship. By this time a telegraph office had been established and regular mail deliveries were made from Port Lincoln.

Pastoralists moved into the area from 1854. The town was officially proclaimed in 1872, originally called "Flinders", but was changed in 1940 to "Streaky Bay" to reflect local usage of the name. [Cite web | url = http://www.streakybay.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=274 | author = Streaky Bay And Districts | title = History of Streaky Bay | date = 23 March 2006 | accessdate = 2007-03-26 ]

In September 1918, a massive Blue Whale over 26 metres long, was cast onto rocks on Gibson's Peninsula. Its skeleton is still on display in the South Australian Museum. [cite web | url = http://aadc-maps.aad.gov.au/aadc/whales/sighting_details.cfm?obs_id=734 | author = Australian Government | title = Whale and dolphin conservation | date = 1 September 2001 | accessdate = 2007-03-26 ]

Geography

Streaky Bay and the surrounding district show a great variety of landscapes, from largely untouched native scrubland and farming country to cliffs and extensive surf beaches.The inland areas of the district are largely dominated by pastoral country; however areas such as the Calpatanna Waterhole Conservation Park located 30 km SE of Streaky Bay represents an example of the original coastal and salt lake environments, where wildlife still abounds. [Cite web | url = http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/publish/groups/public/@reserveplanning/documents/all/parks_pdfs_calpatanna_cp_mp.pdf | author = National Parks and Wildlife Servive | title = Calpatanna Conservation Park draft | year = 1987 | accessdate = 2007-03-26 ] Possibly the areas most interesting geological features are Murphy’s Haystacks. These pink granite formations have been dated at 1590 million years old. [Citation
last = Twidale | first = Rowl | last2 = Campbell | first2 = Elizabeth M | title = Geology of Murphy's Haystacks | year = 2002 | url = http://www.murphys-haystacks.com/murphy/geo_tech.htm | access-date = 2007-03-26 ]

The features that most commonly draw tourists are along the immense stretch of coastline surrounding the bay. The Bay itself is relatively protected and quiet stretches of beach can be found along most of its length. However, where the coastline is exposed to the swells of the Southern Ocean, cliffs are exposed, along with sheltered areas that harbour large rockpools, such as Smooth Pool and The Granites. [Cite web | url = http://www.streakybay.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=321 | author = Streaky Bay Tourism | title = Along the Coast | accessdate = 2007-03-26 ]

Streaky Bay has a mild climate with the average a few degrees above Adelaide in
summer and winter with an average rainfall of 378 mm per year. [Cite web | url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_018079.shtml | author = Bureau of Meteorology | title = Climate statistics for Streaky Bay | accessdate = 2007-03-26 ]

Economy

Agriculture and fishing have long been the primary industries of the Streaky Bay region, with modern aquaculture now playing a large part in the local economy.The local economy is strongly dominated by agriculture, with an emphasis on wheat, barley and other cereals as well as sheep. Due to the relatively arid conditions, dryland farming techniques are successfully applied. Recent diversification has seen the successful testing of Damara sheep, Boer goats and olives which all offer potential future investments.Cite web | url = http://www.streakybay.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Streaky_Bay_Town_Profile_2003.pdf | author = District Council of Streaky Bay | title = Town profile | accessdate = 2007-03-26 ]

Commercial fishing has played a major role in the economy of the area since the early 1900’s, with Snapper and King George Whiting being the main targets of fishermen. More recently, aquaculture of oysters and abalone has also expanded and thrived in the waters of Streaky Bay.

Tourism is an ever growing component of the local economy, with town numbers swelling during the summer holidays and at Easter. Tourists are attracted by the many natural attractions of the area as well as a host of recreational activities. The most popular of these is undoubtedly recreational fishing, with hundreds of anglers flocking to the area to sample the renowned whiting on offer. Beach, rock and boat fishing are available, with a recently built boat ramp to cater for the boaters wishing to explore the area. King George whiting, Snapper and Blue Swimmer Crabs [Citation
last = Eyre Peninsula Tourism | title = Eyre Peninsula Fishing Code | url = http://www.tep.com.au/region_fishing.htm | access date = 2007-03-26 ] are the most commonly targeted species, with many more available. Other activities include hiking, surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving, with guided charters being available.

Community

. The 2001 census found Christianity to be the prevalent religion in the district with Anglican, Catholic and Uniting Churches being the major denominations.

There are several churches in the area as well as a variety of active sports clubs, including football, cricket, bowls, netball, golf and a swimming pool. The district has strong health and education services in the form of the Streaky Bay Hospital, the local Area School and public library.

Government

Streaky Bay and its districts, including settlements such as Sceale Bay comprise the District Council of Streaky Baylocal government area. [Cite web | author = District Council of Streaky Bay | title = District Townships | url = http://www.streakybay.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/District_Townships_Roads_Map1.pdf | accessdate = 2007-03-26 ] Streaky Bay is included in the State Electoral District of Flinders [Cite web | author = State Electoral Office | title = Map of Flinders Electorate | url = http://www.seo.sa.gov.au/apps/uploadedFiles/eddMaps/2002/electorate415.gif| accessdate = 2007-03-26 ] and the Federal Division of Grey. [Cite web | author = Australian Electoral Commission | title = Map of Division Of Grey | url = http://fadar.aec.gov.au/_content/how/newsfiles/081/news81.htm | accessdate = 2007-03-26 ] The current mayor of Streaky Bay is Ian Gunn. [Cite web | author = District Council of Streaky Bay | title = Elected Members | url = http://www.streakybay.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=127 | accessdate = 2007-03-26]

Transport

Transport to and from Streaky Bay is usually done by car via the Flinders Highway, but Bus services to and from Adelaide do operate, [Cite web | author = Premier Stateliner | title = Streaky Bay Bus Service | url = http://www.premierstateliner.com.au/ttables/ced_adl.html | accessdate = 2007-03-26 ] as does the Streaky Bay Airport. The Streaky Bay Airport is situated approximately 10 kilometres to the east of the town (Streaky Bay to Port Lincoln Highway). The facilities are open 24 hours a day with pilot activated, fully automated lighting facilities available.Although the town does not have regular air transport, residents are able to access flights from either Ceduna Airport or Port Lincoln Airport.

References

External links

* [http://www.streakybay.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=120 District Council]
* [http://www.tep.com.au/region/streaky_bay.htm Tourism Eyre Peninsula]
* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/South-Australia/Streaky-Bay/2005/02/17/1108500204699.html Sydney Morning Herald Travel]
* [http://www.streakybay.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=226 Streaky Bay tourism]
* [http://www.nullarbornet.com.au/towns/streakyBay.html Streaky Bay Travel Guide]