Now before you jump to conclusions and start pulling the noose around our necks, hear us out!

We’d just left our camp at Lucky Bay on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula, when we stopped at the nearby town of Cowell for a gander. Another charming seaside spot, we did the look around; stopped by the pier, walked the main street, looked at the old buildings and little shops. Then we stepped into the Town Hall, which has many functions for the local community, including a space for an art studio. Each Mondays is the general ‘get together’ of the artists, and it just so happened to be a Monday when we strolled upstairs to take a look!

Warmly welcomed into the studio, we were quickly chatting and having a laugh with our new found friends. The ladies in the studio were incredibly generous with their time and information. We’d soon learnt much of the areas history, unique stories (that you can’t just read about) and the places to visit, including, well, which public toilets to see.

The artists, all talented in their individual styles, are their own toughest critics. Therefore, they all have a few painting of their own that they call, crap. So, being the cheeky lasses that they are, they set up an exhibition space, for their ‘crap art’, in the public toilets!

On the subject of loos, one of the ladies, Barb, told us if we were heading south to check out the international, award winning, public toilets in Cummins. Who even knew there was such an award!? And stop by the bakery there, too. Intrigued by these infamous toilets, we made sure to make a side trip to see what all the fuss was about.

A rural town, with a history in the grain industry, Cummins hadn’t featured on our itinerary previous to our knowledge of their public toilet prestige – and mention of the delish bakery. Their toilets are unsuspecting, set in a park, nothing outlandish. But if you want to see where the magic happens, plop yourself in and see some amazing mosaic work and good ole fashioned toilet humour. Then after you’ve made some room, definitely follow Barbs tip and check out the local Five Loaves Bakery (the jalapeño pie, mmmm… trust me!)

Now, with the ‘Crap’ outta the way, onto the Spectacular!

Basically every place we stopped or passed, was another quaint coastal town, that each had it’s own allure. But the spot that really stood out, that stole the show for us, was Coffin Bay and it’s National Park.

Mainly only accessible for 4WD, the park has fun, flora and fauna for everyones fancy. About 5 minutes after entering the park and letting our tyre pressure down, our fun started when we got bogged! The day was hot and the sand was soft and rutted. We let the tyre pressure down some more… tried Max Trax… more air out… Trax, again… and again… and again… A family of Emu’s even popped their heads round the bushes to have a look, and laugh, at these blooming outta towners getting stuck. Twenty minutes later and we were finally out of there. With our lesson learnt we didn’t have any more trouble around the park (until we were leaving, and hit that same patch of sand!)

But that’s all part of the fun, and there’s plenty more of it, from snorkelling, fishing, hiking and more beach driving (but as our friends found out, don’t turn right on Gunyah Beach!). We saw rays, Oystercatchers, Dumpling squids (which are endemic to Coffin Bay) and if you are feeling up for it, a hike out to the Whidbey Wilderness Area will likely be quite special, with your footprints being the only human ones out there. While hiking, we caught a look at the Eastern Osprey and the endangered White Bellied Sea Eagle (with only an estimated 10 breeding pairs remaining around the peninsula).

Splashing out with a fancy dinner at ‘1802 Oyster Bar’ in town was the perfect ending to our time in Coffin Bay. And if you go past, make sure to leave room for dessert!