Tumby Bay ~ So Nice, We Visited Twice

On our tour around Eyre Peninsula we took a detour to make sure we didn’t miss illuminate Tumby, before resuming our itinerary back on the other side of the peninsula’s coast.

Tumby Bay had so much going for it that we were definitely stopping in again on our way back, to see more of what this town has to offer. The best place to start, is with the drive into town, making sure you pull in to the parking area near the town’s painted silos.

These silos were painted by Argentinian artist, Martin Ron who created this brilliant image of children jumping from the local jetty. There is one particular spot to best view this silo art where the gaps between the curved surfaces disappear and become straight lines. What an amazing feat!

This is just the beginning of Tumby Bay’s large scale art. 2021 was the third year that the Colour Tumby Street Art Festival has been held. This community event sees professional artists, local Barngarla people and town residents all working together to produce some incredible art which brings locals and visitors out to enjoy the town.

Nothing is too far away in Tumby and the caravan park on the foreshore is a good place to base yourself. From here you have views to the beach front and there is a walking path which takes you all the way into town, past green parks, cafes, the jetty and you can find some terrific mosaic artwork of local wildlife and flora and information along the way.

In town you’ll find supermarkets, hotel, cafes and all other services you’ll need as well as some great gift shops which have some excellent beach themed items for home décor.

As for the street art, well I was in heaven finding some stunning large scale murals around town. Just a few standouts include the collaboration by artist Matt Adnate and Barngarla artist Vera Richards on the Yacht Club wall, a beautiful tribute to his son by Jack Fran, a new one at the Area School by Cummins local James Pedler, and nearby by CHOQ and many, many more from this year and previous years.

Tumby Bay I can see, will be a town we will be revisiting for not only its artworks but the friendly locals, great walks and stunning aquamarine water fringed with pure white, soft sand beach.