Sculptures like this are plentiful around EdithburghSouth Beach in Port Hughes is a popular destination on the Yorke Peninsula (Image SA Tourism)
Grant and Linda travel to the Yorke Peninsula and discover why it’s one of South Australia’s best tourism destinations.
After heading north to leave Adelaide’s city centre behind, the tip of what local’s affectionally call ‘Yorkes’, is less than two hours away. Located a little under 200km from South Australia’s capital, this diverse region is renowned for its dreamy coastlines, top-notch fishing and other water-based activities, pastoral and mining history — plus, it overflows with natural attractions. Throw in a mix of accommodation options all over the peninsula and good ol’ country hospitality, and this destination has something for everyone. Getting around doesn’t mean long hours behind the wheel either, because you can travel from top to toe in less than three hours, and under 30 minutes across from coast to coast.
Planning your Yorke Peninsula road trip? Hema Maps’ Nullarbor Plain – Eastern Map is a handy guide, covering Border Village through to Port Pirie — including both the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas.
Explore the Copper Coast’s beaches and history
Arriving at the peninsula’s northern end, the historical spots of Moonta, Moonta Bay, Kadina, Port Hughes and Wallaroo are collectively known as the Copper Coast and considered the gateway to the region. Here you’ll find long stretches of white sandy beaches perfect for swimming, fishing or simply to relax. And anglers will be in their element at Moonta and Moonta Bay, renowned fishing spots, whether you’re dangling a line from a jetty or a boat. Popular peninsula fish varieties include King George whiting, garfish and squid, and these are generally the types making their way onto local pub and cafe menus. We also have a soft spot for the pint-sized tommy ruffs — also known as the Australian herring — and what they lack in size is certainly made up for in flavour.
A short stroll along Moonta Jetty
Aside from the beautiful beaches and coastline, the region’s mining history also shares Yorke’s limelight. Copper was initially discovered near Moonta in 1861 after burrowing wombats dug up copper-bearing rocks that were spotted by a farmer on the surface. How’s that for a story! Who would’ve guessed these barrel-shaped marsupials helped kick off an industry that lasted more than 60 years in the state.
Mining ruins in Port Hughes — just one of the historic sites you can explore along the peninsula
A walk around Moonta’s main streets is where you’ll find historic buildings, many of which have been lovingly restored. Make sure to walk along George Street when hunger strikes because there’s plenty of eateries to choose between. If you want to treat yourself to a traditional Cornish pasty, head to Taste the Yorke cafe — comprising two-thirds vegetables and meat and one-third apple pie, these pasties are real crowd pleasers … but you’ll need to get in early to avoid missing out, as they never last long.
Jo Gibbons from Taste the Yorke in Moonta with Grant and a Cornish pasty
It’s possible to free camp on the outskirts of Moonta where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Yorke Peninsula
A few kilometres away, a visit to the Moonta Mines and museum precinct is the perfect place to school up on the region’s copper mining history. The museum is housed in a grand old building — the former Moonta Mines Model School — and the train ride around the old mine site is fun and informative. Visiting brought back many childhood memories as my nan once had a nearby miner’s cottage as a weekender. With a picnic lunch packed, we’d often sit on one of the copper mine tailing heaps to eat lunch and take in the surroundings. It was a simple activity yet remains one of my favourite childhood memories to this day.
The Moonta Mines Tourist Railway is a great place to learn about local mining history
The town of Kadina is only 15 minutes up the road from Moonta and the main commercial hub for the Yorke Peninsula. The Farm Shed Heritage Museum is an area highlight where you can take a step back through time to marvel at the extensive collections of farming equipment and vehicles. Our Kadina visit also coincided with the monthly Rotary Kadina Markets that are held centrally at the picturesque Victoria Square. The market stalls are a mix of arts, crafts, local produce and some bric-a-brac, with live music taking centre stage keeping stallholders and visitors entertained during our visit.
The Farm Shed Heritage Museum in Kadina is a real highlight
Wander through the Kadina Markets
Southern Yorke Peninsula highlights
Meandering down the peninsula, we zigzagged between the coast and inland sprawling farms where a mix of crops and farming takes place. But we also found following the Southern Yorke Peninsula (SYP) Water Tower Mural Trail is a fun way to see the region’s southern section. This self-guided tour takes you through the towns of Port Vincent, Stansbury, Wool Bay, Coobowie, Edithburgh, Port Moorowie, Minlacowie and Yorketown. Each of the water tanks on display in these towns depicts spectacular colourful scenes that are representative of surroundings in that local area. Beyond water tank murals, you’ll find building murals, sculptures and other art installations all over Yorkes, which allows visitors to create their own art trail.
Stansbury Water Tower Art
Although there are many other reasons to stop at these places as well. The seaside town of Stansbury was originally known as Oyster Bay, as it has a reputation for its outstanding oysters. Oysters have been a long-standing industry here for more than 60 years, and there’s nothing better than being able to buy a fresh dozen or more directly from one of the oyster farms located in town.
A tribute to Ned Kelly at Stansbury
Travelling further down the coast, we swung by the small community of Wool Bay. This seaside community was once bustling with activity from the old lime kiln that sits perched on a cliff overlooking the jetty below. These days it’s one of the few reminders of yesteryear in the area. The kiln here was built during the early 1900s and was state of the art at that time. Bags of burnt limestone were sent to the jetty below and shipped to Adelaide up until the 1950s. The use of lime in construction started to decline when cement was introduced, which ultimately led to the demise of lime kilns in Australia.
The Wool Bay lime kiln
Historic towns and coastal charm in southern Yorke
At the southern end of the peninsula lies the historical town of Edithburgh. It’s one of the oldest towns found on Yorkes and was initially set up in the 1869 to support the pastoral industry … something it still continues to do today. Edithburgh attractions include art and sculptures which are plentiful around town, including the water tank art on the edge of town that’s part of the mural trail.
Another local town attraction is the iconic Edithburgh Tidal Pool found by the beach. The pool was originally built during the 1880s during a time when mixed bathing wasn’t permitted. While those days have now well and truly changed, it’s a cool spot to take a dip in the water which refills daily from the ebb and flow of the tide.
Sculptures like this are plentiful around Edithburgh
Edithburgh Tidal Pool
Turning northwest, it’s 45km to the inland town of Minlaton. As the main service hub for the surrounding rural district, we were drawn to a large glass fronted hangar containing a bright red war plane. Known as the Red Devil, it’s a rare Bristol Monoplane that was flown by local WWI aviator, Captain Harry Butler. Harry was a local farmer before joining the Royal Flying Corps in 1916; he was later awarded the Air Force Cross before returning to Australia at the end of the war. Back home, he continued flying — and was a daredevil, to say the least. Aerobatics were his specialty, and he knew how to impress the public with his death-defying displays.
Harry Butler’s Red Devil at Minlaton
Camping and caravan stays close to nature
With many Yorke Peninsula towns having at least one caravan park, if not more, it’s possible to be close to beaches and the coast with the option of powered or unpowered sites. But you’ll also find areas where you can camp closer to nature if that’s more to your liking. A few free camps are scattered around Yorkes that generally have a maximum three-day limit and where the facilities between camps will vary.
Sites with water views are popular around the peninsula (Point Turton Caravan Park)
Payable bush camps (around $20 per night) are another camping option — these are mainly located in the southern areas of the peninsula. Some of these have gorgeous waterside views, but not all sites are suitable for caravans. Bush camps aren’t first-in, best-dressed — they must be booked and paid for online in advance.
Book online for stays at Len Barker Reserve Bush Campground
The Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is located at the peninsula’s southwestern end where you can camp and participate in a range of park activities. There are several campgrounds within the national park; some are located next to the beach and others within a bush setting (Shell Beach Campground is a popular spot for those with tents or small trailers. Those with bigger vans should check out Stenhouse Bay Campground, which has easy access suitable for 2WD vehicles). Hikers will be in their element as walking is a popular way to experience what the park offers. Walks start from a short 1km in length and go up to a more moderate 11km. If you’re a serious angler, the coastline here is exceptional for whiting, garfish and tommy ruff. But it’s the salmon that’s really the big drawcard anglers love to catch, especially at Browns Beach. These fish can be whoppers, and you’ll need a good surf rod to deliver the goods.
There’s no doubt about it — the Yorke Peninsula is a South Australian highlight, and you could easily spend a few weeks here, or more. Add this one to your must-visit list, as it’s a true South Australian gem.
The freshest of seafood on Yorke Peninsula menus
Plan your Yorke Peninsula adventure
Map guide: Hema Maps Nullarbor Plain – Eastern Map (RRP $15.95)
Copper Coast Visitor Information Centre
50 Mines Road
Kadina SA 5554
P: 08 8821 2333
Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park
P: 08 8854 3200
4 O'Halloran Parade
Edithburgh SA 5583
P: 08 8852 6056
Verran Terrace
Moonta Mines SA 5558
P: 08 8825 1891
3982+HH, Bayview Road
Point Turton SA 5575
P: 08 8854 5222
50 Mines Road
Kadina SA 5554
P: 08 8821 2333
Yorke Peninsula Council Bush Camping Areas
Yorke Peninsula Tourism
18 Main Street
Minlaton SA 5575
P: 08 8853 3898
There are plenty of caravan parks and bush camping options throughout the Eyre Peninsula — but new beach camping restrictions were put in place in early 2025, so make sure you follow all rules and restrictions.
The setting sun at Port Hughes
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