The Great Australian Bight stretches across the southern edge of Australia, where rugged cliffs drop dramatically into the vast Southern Ocean. Travelers come here for more than its wild beauty, as Western Australia Is Known For Natural Wonders. It’s a meeting place of marine life, remote coastlines, and wide-open desert. The Bight feels untouched, yet it plays a major role in Australia’s natural story — a coastline shaped by time, wind, and waves.
What Is the Great Australian Bight?
The Great Australian Bight is a massive open bay that forms part of the Southern Ocean. Unlike smaller coves, a bight is a long, curved indentation in the coast. It extends for more than a thousand kilometers, linking Western Australia and South Australia.
The area is known for its steep sea cliffs, high-energy waves, and thriving marine ecosystems. To geologists, it’s a reminder of the ancient break between Australia and Antarctica, millions of years ago.
Where Is the Great Australian Bight Located on the Map?
If you look at a Great Australian Bight map, you’ll see it curving along the southern coastline, between Cape Pasley in Western Australia and Cape Carnot near Port Lincoln in South Australia. It’s a vast area that opens directly into the Southern Ocean.
When you trace where the Great Australian Bight is located on a map, it sits between the Nullarbor Plain to the north and the open ocean to the south. The Bight forms one of Earth’s largest uninterrupted coastlines — remote, windswept, and breathtaking.
Why Is It Called the Great Australian Bight?
The word bight comes from an old nautical term for a broad coastal curve that’s wider than a bay but not as deep as a gulf. Early explorers in the 1800s named it for its distinctive shape — a giant “bite” taken out of Australia’s southern edge. Over time, that name stayed and became part of the nation’s maritime identity.
Which Ocean Is the Great Australian Bight In?
The Great Australian Bight lies within the Southern Ocean, known for strong winds, cold currents, and rich nutrients that feed large populations of marine species. These waters support whales, dolphins, sharks, and countless seabirds. The Southern Ocean also plays a vital role in regulating the planet’s climate and supporting global ocean circulation.
How Big Is the Great Australian Bight?
The Bight stretches for roughly 1,160 kilometers (720 miles) and covers about 1.2 million square kilometers of ocean area. In some parts, the continental shelf extends over 200 kilometers offshore.
The cliffs along the coast can rise more than 90 meters (300 feet) high, offering spectacular views of waves crashing below. The region’s size and isolation make it one of the least disturbed marine environments in the world.
Wildlife and Whales of the Great Australian Bight
The Bight is home to an extraordinary range of wildlife. Most famous are the southern right whales, which migrate here every winter from Antarctic waters to breed and give birth. Visitors can watch these giants from cliff-top lookouts at the Head of Bight, where mothers and calves glide close to shore.
Other species include Australian sea lions, great white sharks, bottlenose dolphins, and albatrosses soaring on the updrafts. Offshore reefs shelter colorful fish and coral species, linking this region ecologically to other marine wonders like the Rowley Shoals off the northwest coast.
Best Whale-Watching Spots and Tours
For travelers, whale watching in the Great Australian Bight is a highlight of any southern road trip. The Head of Bight Visitor Center offers one of the best land-based whale-watching platforms in Australia. Between June and October, dozens of whales can be seen resting just beyond the breakers.
Several Great Australian Bight tours operate along the coast, combining wildlife viewing with stops at the towering Bunda Cliffs, the Nullarbor Roadhouse, and coastal viewpoints. Those driving the legendary Great Australian Bight road trip along the Eyre Highway will find lookout points that reveal the raw beauty of this remote coastline.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit the Great Australian Bight depends on what you want to see. For whale watching, June to October is ideal, when southern right whales arrive in the calmer coastal waters.
Summer months (December to February) bring warmer weather, but the winds can be strong. Many travelers prefer the mild temperatures of autumn and spring for longer drives and coastal walks. Always check road conditions before heading across the Nullarbor Plain, as distances between services are vast.
Quick Facts: The Great Australian Bight
| Feature | Details |
| Ocean | Southern Ocean |
| Length | ~1,160 km (720 miles) |
| Main States | South Australia, Western Australia |
| Best Time to Visit | June – October (whales) |
| Key Attractions | Head of Bight, Bunda Cliffs, Nullarbor Plain |
| Protected Area | Great Australian Bight Marine Park |
| Notable Wildlife | Southern right whales, sea lions, and albatrosses |
| Nearest Highway | Eyre Highway |
Connections to Australia’s Natural Wonders
The Great Australian Bight shares the same story of erosion, isolation, and ancient geology that shaped other landmarks across the continent. Inland, formations like the Bungle Bungle Range in Western Australia reveal layered sandstone domes sculpted by wind and rain.
Offshore, reef systems such as the Rowley Shoals show how marine life adapts to shifting currents and oceanic changes. Together, they reflect the deep relationship between Australia’s land and sea.
Planning Your Visit
Before traveling, check park access and road updates through the official Australian tourism website, which offers maps, accommodation guides, and driving itineraries.
Bring plenty of water, fuel, and a camera — the views from the cliffs are unforgettable, especially at sunrise and sunset. For many visitors, standing above the Great Australian Bight is a reminder of how vast and wild Australia still is.
FAQs
What is the Great Australian Bight?
It’s a massive open bay along Australia’s southern coast, part of the Southern Ocean, known for cliffs, whales, and remote beauty.
Where is the Great Australian Bight located?
It lies between Western Australia and South Australia, stretching from Cape Pasley to Cape Carnot along the southern coastline.
What ocean is the Great Australian Bight in?
The Bight forms part of the Southern Ocean, connecting Australia to the cold Antarctic waters.
Why is it called the Great Australian Bight?
The name comes from the term bight, meaning a wide coastal curve — describing the shape of this vast bay.
When is the best time to visit the Great Australian Bight?
June to October is the best season for whale watching, while spring and autumn are ideal for road trips and scenic drives.
