Camping is no longer permitted on Wauraltee Beach, SA
The South Australian Government has implemented new vehicle restrictions at Wauraltee Beach on Yorke Peninsula to protect the coastal environment and enhance visitor safety.
As of 3 February 2025, overnight camping is no longer permitted at Wauraltee Beach, including Second Beach. Furthermore, large vehicles such as caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers and tent trailers are banned from the area at all times, day and night.
Daytime vehicle access will still be allowed for boat launching and recreational activities.
This decision, supported by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, Yorke Peninsula Council, and local community leaders, aims to preserve the fragile environment by preventing mass congregation of vehicles on the beach.
The surge in offroad vehicle use in recent years, combined with social media’s role in revealing ‘secret spots’, has led to some areas being overwhelmed with visitors, pushing the environment beyond its capacity to sustain such high levels of use.
The growing number of vehicles has raised several environmental concerns, including:
- Disturbance to wildlife, including shorebirds such as fairy terns, eastern curlews, hooded plovers and red knots
- Loss of critical habitat for fauna, including nesting, breeding and feeding areas
- Damage to vegetation, particularly sand dunes, which are vulnerable to destruction and erosion
- Harm to cultural sites, places and artifacts
- Weed infestations brought in via vehicle tyres
- Sand compaction, affecting natural processes and distribution
The influx of vehicles accessing Wauraltee Beach, particularly during holiday periods and long weekends, has grown exponentially, with hundreds of people camping on the beach with large vehicles during this peak periods. This has also raised safety concerns, especially for families with young children.
Jason Irving, National Parks and Wildlife Service National Parks program director, highlighted that the state government is working to better manage vehicle access to environmentally sensitive beaches to ensure the coastline remains sustainable for future generations.
“There is no intention to ban all vehicles from all beaches. This is about finding a balance between visitor enjoyment and the need to protect native flora and fauna,” Irving said. “Large camping vehicles are being driven onto the beach in mass numbers with the purpose of remaining overnight and this is the challenge we are aiming to address.”
Alternative camping options are available across Yorke Peninsula, including affordable sites with amenities. To help manage the increased visitation, the local council has introduced a booking system for its campsites. For more details, head here.
Additional camping options are also available in South Australia’s national parks.
THE NEXT STEP
If you want to learn the latest caravan news, find the most innovative new caravans and camping gear or get inspired to plan your next epic road trip to make unforgettable memories with the whole family, subscribe to our weekly newsletter. We promise to send you only the best content.
Related articles:
Exploring South Australia's Yorke Peninsula
Check Out Discovery Parks in South Australia This Summer
New beach camping restrictions on Yorke Peninsula, SA