Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park

Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park (often referred to simply as Innes National Park) is a coastal wilderness at the tip of the Yorke Peninsula, offering a spectacular mix of sweeping surf beaches, rugged limestone cliffs, offshore islands, and historical ruins. This 9,200-hectare park is a paradise for beach lovers, anglers, campers, and photographers. Its natural beauty is striking – think powdery white sand bays lapped by turquoise waters, framed by dunes and dense mallee scrub alive with wildflowers in spring. Popular spots include Pondalowie Bay, a famous surfing beach where dolphins often surf the breaks; Stenhouse Bay, near the park entrance with a jetty for fishing and a clifftop interpretive trail; and West Cape Lighthouse, providing panoramic views over the Southern Ocean and the distant Althorpe Islands.

Wildlife thrives here: visitors frequently encounter western grey kangaroos grazing at dawn and dusk, emus wandering near campgrounds with their striped chicks, sleepy heath goannas basking on tracks, and abundant birdlife from white-bellied sea eagles to vibrant wrens. Offshore, if you’re lucky, you might spot seals or whales in season. The park also has important cultural history – it is co-managed with the Narungga Traditional Owners (Dhilba Guuranda acknowledges Narungga connection to country), and features European heritage from its gypsum-mining past. The Inneston Historic Township nestled around a salt lake showcases ruins of a 1900s gypsum mining village, with restored cottages that you can actually rent for accommodation. Along the coast, the park’s treacherous waters have claimed many ships – the most famous wreck is the Ethel, whose rusted hull remains embedded on Ethel Beach since 1904 and can be viewed up close via a short boardwalk (particularly visible when sands shift). Nearby, the picturesque Cape Spencer Lighthouse stands guard on the cliffs, with views of the wreck of the SS Marion below the waves.

Facilities: Innes National Park is well-equipped for visitors despite its remote feel. There’s a visitor information outlet at the entrance gate in Stenhouse Bay where you can get maps and buy park passes if you haven’t online. The park has seven campgrounds, ranging from the clifftop sites at Cable Bay and Shell Beach to the sheltered bush sites at Browns Beach and Stenhouse Bay. Amenities vary – some campgrounds have toilets, picnic tables, and shared BBQ/fire pits (e.g., Stenhouse Bay campground has flushing toilets and picnic shelters), while others are more basic (bring your own water). No playgrounds here – nature provides the adventure. There are several lookouts with boardwalks and interpretive signs (such as Royston Head Lookout and West Cape). Fishing is a major draw: designated spots like Browns Beach are famous for salmon fishing, and jetties at Stenhouse Bay (within park) and nearby Marion Bay offer catches of squid and tommy ruff. Divers and snorkelers have access to marine habitats (with a dive trail at the Wardang Island Maritime Heritage Trail just outside the park). Note that dogs are not allowed in the park to protect wildlife. Vehicle entry fees apply (payable online or via self-service at the entry). The nearest fuel, food, and supplies are at Marion Bay just outside the park, so stock up before exploring.

Getting there: Innes National Park is approximately 300 km by road from Adelaide (about a 3.5 to 4-hour drive). The drive down Yorke Peninsula passes through farming towns, ending at the small coastal village of Marion Bay, right at the park’s doorstep. Inside the park, roads are sealed to main points like Stenhouse Bay, Pondalowie Bay and West Cape, with graded gravel to others – all accessible by 2WD. Once there, you can spend days beach-hopping: from the calm rock pools of Shell Beach (great for families) to the dramatic surf at Chinamans and Dalby beaches (caution: strong rips, for experienced surfers/fishers only). With its combination of natural grandeur, wildlife, recreation, and heritage, Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park is a must-visit destination showcasing the wild coastal charm of Yorke Peninsula.