01 Dec, 2022

Exploring South Australia's Yorke Peninsula

by Robyn Pitman-Williams and Muriel Scholz, Yorke Peninsula Council

As summer kicks in, we speak with Muriel Scholz, Caravan Parks Coordinator at Yorke Peninsula, to reveal why South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula should be number one on your holiday list.

What is the Yorke Peninsula best known for?

Located just west of Adelaide, Central and Southern Yorke Peninsula is one of South Australia’s favourite holiday playgrounds. With a laidback lifestyle, kilometres of magnificent family-friendly beaches and some of the best fishing in the nation, there is no shortage of things to see and do on Yorke Peninsula.

Surrounded by the ocean on three sides, Yorke Peninsula is the perfect place for summer activities. Enjoy fishing, swimming, surfing, kayaking, snorkelling, and sailing. Go walking or cycling along ‘Walk the Yorke’, a 500-kilometre leisure trail, to explore Yorke Peninsula’s coastline. Or explore the marine and birdlife habitats, mangrove forests, and beautiful beaches protected by Yorke Peninsula Marine Parks.

Do the holiday parks offer something for everyone?

Each Park is slightly different but welcoming to all. All parks have powered and unpowered sites, and all parks except Black Point have cabins. Marion Bay, Point Turton, and Port Vincent have luxury cabins. You can find more information on www.ypcholidayparks.com.au/features-at-a-glance

Black Point Camping Ground

Black Point’s long beach and bay make it a popular destination for holidaymakers. Enjoy catching blue swimmer crabs, diving for scallops, throwing a line, or just relaxing on the sand.

Black Point Camping Ground is the perfect base for exploring, situated adjacent to the public boat ramp and trailer parking with magnificent sea views.

Marion Bay Caravan Park

The Marion Bay Caravan Park is a bush camp with excellent central facilities and services and is just a short walk from the sheltered beach and jetty. Located only a five-minute drive from the spectacular Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park.

Point Turton Caravan Park

The Point Turton Caravan Park is uniquely located in a disused historical flux quarry, making it very popular as a tourist destination because its sheltered location allows year-round boating, fishing, and sailing.

Port Rickaby Caravan Park

Situated between long coastal sand dunes and seascapes, Port Rickaby features a sheltered swimming beach, and the jetty is excellent for fishing.

The Port Rickaby Caravan Park and Kiosk offers absolute foreshore views and is the perfect place to relax.

Port Vincent Foreshore Caravan Park

Port Vincent is a peaceful coastal town, with a magnificent coastline and sheltered bay that is perfect for serene relaxation or snorkelling, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

This park is centrally located in the township, within easy walking distance of all facilities.

Yorketown Caravan Park

Located amongst picturesque gardens, this park is the ideal basecamp to explore southern Yorke Peninsula and set out on the new self-guide driving tours. The Salt Lakes Trail leads you by the stunning pink and orange salt lakes and historical sites, while the 60km Water Towers Trail features five stunning water tower murals that bear great significance to the region’s recent history.

Yorke Peninsula Council Bush Camping

Bush Camping is a popular alternative to caravan parks for those looking to get closer to nature. All campgrounds are located close to the shore, which brings best of Yorke Peninsula’s beach life and natural beauty right into your campground.

What activities are available on the Yorke Peninsula that are particularly suited to the warmer months?

With secret coves, rock pools teeming with sea life, reefs to snorkel, jetties and boat ramps for the fishers, and internationally recognised surf and diving spots – there is something for everyone.

In spring ‘Walk the Yorke’ comes alive with stunning native flowers. While Flaherty’s Beach, located between Hardwicke Bay and Point Turton, was recently rated as one of Australia's most beautiful beaches.

Surfers of every skill level can hit the waves in the southwest corner of Yorke Peninsula, with several excellent surfing spots. In 2013, Daly Head became the first dedicated National Surfing Reserve on Australia's southern coast, cementing its place as a word-class surfing destination.

Summer also sees Yorke Peninsula come alive with events. Many towns have regular markets, including the award-winning Stansbury Seaside Markets (held approximately once per month during warmer months). A list of all events on Yorke Peninsula is regularly updated and available at www.visityorkepeninsula.com.au