Innes National Park, SA

By Delana Carbone July 24, 2014
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This section of South Australia’s coastline offers an array of experiences from heart-charging adventure to complete relaxation.

The Yorke Peninsula in Innes National Park, or Yorkes as it’s known to the local surf community, is surprisingly pristine for such a popular place. During the early 1900s this section of the coast was a chalk mine complete with a small township, but luckily the natural beauty and indigenous sacred sites were preserved – the Narungga people continue to maintain strong cultural links to the region.

The park abounds with endemic wildlife and nature enthusiasts may catch a glimpse of the rare malleefowl. The Yorke Peninsula is a popular spot for bird watchers, and a walk along the coast will likely offer you a view of a soaring osprey, or the unusual song of the whipbird as it floats on the wind up from the cliff’s edge.

Indulge in water sports or just kick back and relax at places like Shell and Dolphin beach. This coastline is a treasure trove.

Activities

Surfing: Yorke Peninsula is a surfing mecca, with waves for beginners and seasoned warriors in search of something fresh and different. Try Neptunes Surf Coaching for a friendly introduction to boarding fun, or to improve your skills before you hit
the breaks. www.neptunes.net.au

Hiking: Bushwalking tracks in the park stretch from 30 minutes to four hours. For history buffs, check out the easy Inneston Historic Walk, a 2km, one-hour return loop that snakes its way past remnants from the early 1900s and the gypsum-mining era. Explore the ruins as you read about the local history.

See some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the state, and enjoy a spectacular, uninterrupted 360° view of the landscape from the Stenhouse Bay lookout.

Indigenous Guided Walks highlight the significance of preserving traditions and protecting ancient sites. Travel down the east coast of Yorke Peninsula and Adjahdura Land to the Black Point Cultural Site, and walk along the beach or cliff face to ancient ochre and tool quarries.

Tides permitting, you can walk out to an ancient fish trap and search for shellfish amongst the rocks. Hear the Dreaming stories of the area as the tour makes its way to the Aboriginal community of Point Pearce, and discover how the local Aboriginal people survived European settlement. The tours cost from $65 per adult for half a day, to $975 per adult for a five-day tour that includes being present at cultural ceremonies.
www.adjahdura.com.au

The essentials

Location: Innes National Park is located on the south-west tip of Southern Yorke Peninsula, three hours drive from Adelaide city. Entry to the park is on Stenhouse Bay Road. Park entry costs $10 per vehicle, or you can buy a yearly pass for $95, which includes the cost of a campsite.

Accommodation: Camping/caravan facilities are available, or stay in one of the heritage cottages at the old Inneston township. Prices range from $50 per night for the Shepherds Hut and up to $170 a night for the historic homestead, which sleeps 10. Environment.gov 

Food/drink: You can cook up your own catch on the campsite barbecue or pop into the general store and pub on site at Stenhouse Bay for supplies.

More info:
Environment.gov