Baird Bay (formerly Beard's Bay) is a small fishing village located 50 kilometres (30min) South of Streaky Bay on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. It is situated on the east coast of a bay named Baird Bay which opens into the north end of Anxious Bay.
The towns and the associated bay are named after James Baird, who settled on the shores of Anxious Bay in 1850 before being speared by local Aboriginals in November 1850. Matthew Flinders sailed past in 1802 but was unable to see the bay; he saw only the mouth (entrance) and Jones Island.
Although the township is small, Baird Bay has garnered considerable tourist attention due to its sea lion colony, with local tour guides giving interactive swimming sessions with the sea lions. This has become one of the main tourist attractions on the Eyre Peninsula. The isolated town has very limited facilities, with only a few houses, a camping ground and boat ramp. The nearest town for supplies is Streaky Bay.
Baird Bay is a quiet and tranquil village, there is not enough through traffic in Baird Bay to be of any concern.
Other close tourist attractions are:
*Inselbergs such as Ucontitchie Hill and Murphy's Haystacks
*Westall Way, a coastal drive that takes in the Granites and Smooth Pools
Information and directions to these attractions can be found by googling the above mentioned on the internet, you will find plenty of information and maps directing you to these locations. All located are within easy driving distance of Baird Bay.
The remote waters of Baird Bay are also excellent for recreational fishing, as well as a number of other water based activities such scuba diving and snorkelling. The marine parks located in the bay provide protection for the fish that live and breed in these waters and help to rejuvenate local fish stocks. King George Whiting, Garfish, Tommy Ruff, Australian Salmon, Snook, Trevally, Flathead and Flounder all inhabit the bay in good numbers. The bay can accommodate a small dinghy or larger boat with the beach making for an easy launch and retrieve on a high tide. The fishing outside the bay for the boating enthusiast is exceptional with good numbers of snapper, nannygai, blue morwong, tuna and blue groper. Both School and Gummy Shark are common in the these waters. The awe inspiring rugged coastline that constantly changes from cliffs, to rocks and granite sand beaches is fantastic for some surf fishing and catching that large west coast mulloway, or just relaxing to the sounds of the pounding surf of the southern ocean.
Baird Bay is secluded and ideal for walks in the native bush that borders the back of the village. The area is teeming with native wildlife, kangaroos, emus, reptiles and birdlife, taking you back to nature and providing you with an appreciation for the environment. There are many migratory sea birds that visit the bay, along with some permanent residents like the pelicans who are constantly looking for an easy feed. The area is an ideal location for any bird watching enthusiast who maybe looking for somewhere to stay, close to the birds.
Anglers Anchorage is positioned less than one hundred meters from the beach and boat launching. The beach is very safe for swimming on a high tide, safe for small children, and has plenty of room for beach cricket when the tide is out. A large 2 man open fibreglass canoe with paddles and anchor is made available for you to use.
Anglers Anchorage has 4 Bedrooms.
Bedroom 1: Double Bed
Bedroom 2: Double Bed
Bedroom 3: Bunk Bed - Double Bottom Single Top
Bedroom 4: 2 x Bunk Beds - Double on the Bottoms, Single on the Tops
There are 5 single foam mattresses tucked away under beds in the house that can be pulled out and laid out in the living room for extra sleeping. Pillows and Doonas are provided.
The large family room has leather lounges. There is a 65" smart television and DVD player located in the lounge / living room. This TV has been programmed to receive the free to air TV from the satellite dish on the roof. It is possible to plug your Foxtel control box in this line between the TV and the aerial outlet and your Foxtel box should be able to provide you with the same pay channels that you would receive at home. Feel free to blue tooth your phone to the TV and watch all your favourites.
There is very good Telstra 4G mobile phone reception at Baird Bay. Enough speed to enable web access and computer work if you require.
The house is on rain water, which does need to be used sensibly. There is town bore water available at the shed that can be used for washing down the boat and general cleaning. This town bore water also services the sink in the fish cleaning area built off the main shed. There is a large slow combustion wood heater located in the pagola and an outside fire pit that can be used to keep warm on those cold nights. Wood will have to be collected when needed. A 3 x four burner BBQ are available in the large pagola area for you to use and for your convenience there are two gas bottles provided and we ask that you please leave at least one of these gas bottles full on departure. (It’s a long way to get gas, mid- cook). There is an outside 120ltr chest freezer and 2 upright fridge / freezers that can be used to store your bait / fish / refreshments.
A large bathroom, includes toilet, shower, hand basin, washing machine, laundry tub.
The kitchen dining area includes an electric free standing oven with stove top, large upright fridge/freezer, 120Ltr chest freezer, microwave oven, and other standard kitchen accessories/appliances. The dining/kitchen area has air conditioning that is large enough to provide some temperature control to some of the other rooms also.
The council rubbish collection day is on Thursday mornings, the bin goes out roadside (behind sheds) on Wednesday nights.
The home can be cleaned on your departure as an optional extra. This can be further discussed and quoted if interested.
Pets are allowed but are to be kept strictly outside only.
