Kimba

Kimba is located half way across Australia. The town lies 103 kilometres east of Wudinna and 89 kilometres west of Iron Knob.

Halfway Across Australia

Kimba is situated at the northern edge of Eyre Peninsula's truly vast grain growing belt. Early explorations of the Kimba and Gawler Ranges districts were made by Edward John Eyre's expedition in 1839. Near Kimba, Eyre discovered water and camped at Refuge Rocks. Locals now refer to this camp site as Secret Rocks.

By the 1870s Kimba had been opened up to pastoral lease holders. More intensive European settlement of the area commenced in 1908 however, when the pioneering Haskett family sowed their first wheat and oat crops. Kimba's early pioneers often referred to the area as Heartbreak plains. In all truth Kimba's early pioneering years were very tough indeed, with many farmers constructing primitive huts from flattened kerosene tins.

View from White's Knob Lookout

Early transport on Northern Eyre Peninsula was equally primitive and typically consisted of Bullock Teams and Camel Trains. Such transport become outmoded with the completion of Kimba's Railhead in 1913. In common with other Eyre Peninsula towns of the time, water was freighted in by rail once a fortnight.

Early Australian Pioneer's House (1908)

Today Kimba is the centre of a major wheat growing area, and site of one of South Australia's largest inland grain terminals. The name Kimba has its origins in a local aboriginal language and is said to mean "Bush Fire".

Kimba Facilities

Kimba is a pleasant and reasonable sized Eyre Peninsula town of about 800 people. For the traveller Kimba provides close to a full range of services.

EFTPOS is widely available in Kimba.

Located on the western side of Kimba, at 15442 Eyre Highway, is the Shell roadhouse - the Kimba Motel Roadhouse. It sells fuel, takeaway food and meals, and is open 6 am to 9 pm every day. After hours there is a card-and-note fuel vending pump. Stateliner coaches stop here. Phone (08) 8627 2222.

Within Kimba, barbecue and toilet facilities are available at the Lions Memorial Park - located on Park Terrace. Conveniently located nearby is Apex central Park which has a children's playground. Along the edge of the Eyre Highway there's also another shaded picnic area called "The Gums" which has barbecue facilities.

Kimba Accommodation

The Kimba Motel Roadhouse and Caravan Park is at the roadhouse on the western side of town. It has motel rooms and drive-through caravan sites, plus a restaurant and bar. Phone (08) 8627 2222, and ask about pets when you book.

Prices and rates change often out here, so we no longer list them on this page — please phone ahead for current rates. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

The Kimba Gateway Hotel at 40 High Street, in the centre of town, has motel rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a coffee spot. Phone (08) 8627 2888 or email hello@kimbahotel.com.au. For other options - bed and breakfasts and self-contained units - ask the Kimba Visitor Information Outlet on (08) 8627 2026.

Kimba Attractions

Without doubt Kimba's most notable landmark is the Big Galah which is located by the wheat silos. Australians seem to love big kitsch objets d'art and the Big Galah is no exception, standing fully 8 metres tall.

Kimba's Big Galah

While you're admiring the Big Galah - or should I say gawking at it - you might visit the Kimba Half Way Across Australia Gem shop which is located a few metres away. Kimba's Gem shop has a range of Australian Gemstones, but jewellery set with the locally mined Cowell Jade is particularly impressive. Cowell Jade is unique in that many specimens exhibit a jet black colour. As a gemstone Cowell Jade is particularly hardwearing, and polished specimens often exhibit a fine mirror-like lustre. The more common garden green variety of Jade is also sold at Kimba's Gem shop, which also has a cafe. It is open 6 am to 6 pm Sunday to Tuesday and 6 am to 9 pm Wednesday to Saturday - phone (08) 8627 2766.

Opposite the Grain Silos is the Kimba and Gawler Ranges Museum. Within the museum are many historical artefacts from Kimba's pioneering days. The museum is open on Wednesdays from 9 am to 1 pm, or by appointment - phone 0428 272 064. Kimba's museum also has an outdoor display area which is open at all times.

Kimba's Visitor Information Outlet is at the council office, 9 Cross Street - phone (08) 8627 2026. Kimba is located a short drive away from the Lake Gilles and Pinkawillinie conservation parks. To the north lies the rugged Gawler Ranges, and to the South west is Caralue Bluff, Carrapee Hill and Dark Peake. These areas often abound with wild flowers, native birds and other Australian wildlife such as kangaroos, emus and wombats. Road conditions in some of these areas are very variable, and it is recommended you seek local advice from the Visitor Information Outlet before venturing into them.

Further information on Kimba and the surrounding area's attractions can be viewed at Kimba Council's website.

Nullarbor Net Travel Tips

Kangaroos are often seen on the Eyre Highway between Iron Knob and Kimba. Take particular care at night as they can be a traffic hazard. My brother affectionately refers to kangaroos as the panelbeater's friend!

Kimba: common questions

Is there 24-hour fuel at Kimba?

The Shell roadhouse at 15442 Eyre Highway is open 6 am to 9 pm every day, and after hours there is a card-and-note fuel vending pump. Phone (08) 8627 2222.

Where can I stay in Kimba?

The Kimba Motel Roadhouse and Caravan Park on the highway - phone (08) 8627 2222 - and the Kimba Gateway Hotel at 40 High Street - phone (08) 8627 2888. The Visitor Information Outlet on (08) 8627 2026 can tell you about bed and breakfasts and self-contained units.

Where is the Big Galah?

On the Eyre Highway at Kimba, in front of the Halfway Across Australia gem shop and cafe. It is 8 metres tall and was fully renovated in 2021.

When is the Kimba museum open?

The Kimba and Gawler Ranges Historical Museum is open on Wednesdays from 9 am to 1 pm, or by appointment - phone 0428 272 064.

Where is Kimba?

On the Eyre Highway at the top of the Eyre Peninsula, 103 km east of Wudinna and 89 km west of Iron Knob.

Checked in October 2026 against each business's current listing and the town's community website. Hours and facilities can change, so phone ahead before relying on them. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.