Camp at the rugged tip of Yorke Peninsula where dramatic cliffs meet sapphire waters, surrounded by rich maritime history and abundant wildlife.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Innes National Park, southern Yorke Peninsula |
| Region | Yorke Peninsula |
| Campsite Type | Established campgrounds and bush camping |
| Facilities | Toilets, rainwater tanks (seasonal), BBQs, shelters |
| Access | 2WD access to main campgrounds |
| Fees | $18 per vehicle per night |
| Key Feature | Dramatic coastal cliffs, historic shipwrecks, and exceptional surf |
Where History Meets the Southern Ocean
Innes National Park occupies the wild southwestern tip of the Yorke Peninsula, where the Southern Ocean has carved a dramatic coastline of towering cliffs, hidden coves, and rock platforms strewn with the remains of historic shipwrecks. The park’s campgrounds place visitors at the heart of this spectacular landscape, offering front-row access to some of South Australia’s most powerful coastal scenery.
Several campground options cater to different preferences. Pondalowie Bay offers sheltered sites near a protected swimming beach, while Stenhouse Bay provides easy access to the historic mining settlement and jetty ruins. Shell Beach campground sits among coastal mallee scrub with walking access to several stunning cliff-top viewpoints.
Surfing, Fishing, and Swimming
Innes is legendary among South Australian surfers, with Pondalowie Bay, Chinaman’s, and Ethel Beach offering world-class waves in the right conditions. The park’s beaches and rock platforms are equally renowned for fishing, with King George whiting, snapper, and blue swimmer crabs all regularly caught. For swimmers, the protected waters of Pondalowie Bay provide a safe and stunning natural swimming hole sheltered from the ocean swell.
The park’s network of walking trails ranges from easy strolls along clifftop paths to longer hikes through mallee woodland and coastal scrub. The heritage trail to the abandoned gypsum mining town of Inneston reveals a fascinating chapter of the region’s industrial past, with intact stone buildings standing as monuments to a bygone era.
Wildlife Encounters
Innes National Park is a wildlife haven. Western grey kangaroos and tammar wallabies are abundant, often seen grazing in the campground clearings at dawn and dusk. The park is one of the best places in South Australia to spot the endangered malleefowl, as well as ospreys, white-bellied sea eagles, and a rich variety of honeyeaters in the flowering mallee scrub.
The marine environment is equally impressive. Leafy sea dragons inhabit the nearshore reefs, while pods of dolphins regularly patrol the bays. During the winter months, southern right whales pass close to shore, and their breaching displays can sometimes be witnessed from the clifftop lookouts above Ethel Beach.
Planning Your Stay
Innes National Park is approximately three hours’ drive from Adelaide via the scenic route down the Yorke Peninsula. All campgrounds operate on a self-registration system, with fees payable at the park entrance. While rainwater tanks are provided at some campgrounds, supply is not guaranteed, so bringing your own water is strongly recommended. The nearest supplies are available in the small towns of Marion Bay or Stenhouse Bay, though options are limited, so stocking up in larger towns before entering the park is advisable.