Penong

Penong is a very small settlement located on the Western edge of South Australia's grain growing belt. The town itself is an easy 77 kilometres drive to the west of Ceduna, or coming from the opposite direction it is situated 76 kilometres east of Nundroo Roadhouse. Scattered around Penong are dozens of windmills that pump water from the Anjutabie water Basin. This water is supplemented by the use of rain water and water is also carted by truck from a reticulated water supply connected to the Tod River pipeline some 15 kilometres east of Penong. South of Penong are massive deposits of salt and gypsum in Lake McDonnell. Each year 100,000 tonnes of salt are harvested from brine pools and exported from Port Thevenard to the eastern States. Lake McDonnell's gypsum deposits are the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and cover an area of 87 square kilometres to an average depth of 4.8 metres. That's a lot of gypsum. Cactus Beach is located 21 kilometres south of Penong and surfers from around the world and Australia frequent the area to surf 1 right hand and 2 left hand breaks.

Banded Stilts at nearby Lake MacDonnell

Penong Fuel, Store and Facilities

Penong General Store and Post Office

The General Store sells groceries, pies, pasties, fruit, vegetables, ice cream, LPG, ice, fishing bait and souvenirs. An outdoor eating area is available and an Australia Post Box is located nearby. Opening Times: Monday to Friday .. 8-00 am to 5-30 pm Saturday to Sunday ........ 9-00 am to 1-00 pm

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 Spotted something out of date?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.

Penong Laundromat is located behind the General Store on Saunders Street

Ampol Foodary Penong The roadhouse on the main road (formerly Caltex) is open from 5 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week, and sells fuel including diesel and premium unleaded, food and drinks. Fuel is not available overnight.

A Public Phone is also available next to the Take Away food shop.

Penong Accommodation and Caravan Park

Penong Hotel operates from the main Road and has a beer garden and accommodation facilities. For further information telephone (08) 8625 1050.

Penong Hotel

Penong Caravan Park is located 500 metres north of the Eyre Highway on 5 Stiggants Road. Penong Caravan Park's facilities include drive through sites and on site vans for hire. Cabins are also available for hire and guests are offered free use of laundry facilities. Penong's Caravan Park also has barbecue facilities and pets are permitted on a leash. For further information please telephone (08) 8625 1111.   Alternatively for email contact Penong Caravan Park.

Penong Attractions: Windmill Museum, Cactus Beach and the Woolshed

With windmills dotted all around the town, it is only fitting that Penong has its own Windmill Museum. You'll find it right beside the highway on West Terrace, near the caravan park. Opened in 2016 and built up by a team of local volunteers, this free outdoor museum displays around 20 donated and restored windmills, old and new, big and small, gathered from as far away as Marla, the Riverland and Alice Springs. The star of the show is "Bruce", the biggest windmill in Australia. There is a car park with room for coaches, and public toilets, so it makes an easy leg-stretch whether you're heading east or west.

The Penong Windmill Museum. "Bruce", Australia's biggest windmill, is the huge wheel on the right, dwarfing the windmills in front of it

If you are interested in surfing definitely make the journey to Cactus Beach. Cactus Beach is renowned for 2 world class left hand breaks named "Cactus" and "Castles", and a right hand break known as "Caves".

Cactus Beach on a calm day

For the non-surfing inclined traveller a popular picnic spot is located at nearby Port Sinclair. On the Western outskirts of Penong is the Woolshed. The Penong Woolshed is operated by the local community and is generally open 5 days a week between 10-00 am and 4-00 pm. Nowadays the Woolshed operates as a museum exhibiting historical memorabilia and a variety of local arts crafts. If Quandong Jam or Chutney is available I definitely recommend you buy some. The Quandong is a variety of native fruit. Also sold is a popular range of handcrafted glassware made by local artist Cindy Durant. Cindy's work typically exhibits marine themes including fish, seahorses, sea shells and crabs. Within Penong is Paul Gravelle's surfboard factory which may or may not be open depending on how the surf is breaking!

Blue Lake near Cactus Beach

Penong: common questions

Is fuel available 24 hours at Penong?

No. The Ampol on the main road is open 5 am to 10 pm, seven days - there is no overnight fuel. Ceduna, 77 km east, has 24-hour fuel. See fuel stops.

Does Penong have a caravan park?

Yes - Penong Caravan Park is at 5 Stiggants Road, 500 metres north of the highway. It has drive-through sites, on-site vans and cabins, a laundry and barbecues. Phone (08) 8625 1111.

Can I bring my dog to Penong Caravan Park?

Yes - pets are permitted on a leash.

How far is Cactus Beach from Penong?

Cactus Beach is 21 km south of Penong.

What is the Penong Windmill Museum?

A free outdoor museum on West Terrace, beside the highway near the caravan park. Opened in 2016 by local volunteers, it displays around 20 restored windmills, including "Bruce", the biggest windmill in Australia. There is a car park with coach parking, and public toilets.

Where is Penong?

On the Eyre Highway in SA, 77 km west of Ceduna and 76 km east of Nundroo. About 1,850 km by road from Perth (via Coolgardie and Norseman) and about 850 km from Adelaide.

Checked with the businesses' own websites in October 2026. Hours and facilities can change, so phone ahead before relying on them. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

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