• Search
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
    • TRAVEL GEAR
  • KETO LIFESTYLE
    • ECO LIFESTYLE
  • DESTINATIONS
    • BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
    • VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDE
    • JAPAN TRAVEL GUIDE
    • THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDE
    • CAMBODIA TRAVEL GUIDE
    • MALAYSIA TRAVEL GUIDE
    • AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDE
  • WORK WITH US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Gadsventure

Lifestyle Blog, Adventures all around the world and at home with a family of six. We will share our stories, travel tips, travel destinations, lifestyle choices and sustainable living to help you build a better life.

  • Search
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
    • TRAVEL GEAR
  • KETO LIFESTYLE
    • ECO LIFESTYLE
  • DESTINATIONS
    • BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
    • VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDE
    • JAPAN TRAVEL GUIDE
    • THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDE
    • CAMBODIA TRAVEL GUIDE
    • MALAYSIA TRAVEL GUIDE
    • AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDE
  • WORK WITH US
You are here: Home / All / Innes National Park (Yorke Peninsula Magic!)
Innes National Park

Innes National Park (Yorke Peninsula Magic!)

Updated April 10, 2020 By //  by Brian. This post contains affiliate links. This means we may make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

On our amazing trip around beautiful Australia, we visited the beautiful Innes National park in South Australia.

Never heard of this natural park wonder on the Yorke Peninsula before? Either had we until we took the plunge and traveled all the way from Adelaide to the tip

Where is Innes National Park Located in South Australia?

You can find Innes National Park on the tip of the Yorke Peninsula, the middle leg in South Aus.

Here is how to get there from Adelaide.

How far is Innes National Park for Adelaide?

Drive 3 hours and 28 minutes (290 kilometres) south-west of Adelaide to find this epic spot. The main town closest to the park is called Marion Bay, here you can find the best range of accommodation, cafes, tavern and general stores for supplies.

The drive down to the tip isn’t the most exciting but you will experience some beautiful farmland and make sure you stop in at these magical sunset spots.

  • Port Hughes Jetty
  • Berry Bay
  • Gravel Bay
  • Marion Bay
Port Hughes
Port Hughes has some of the clearest water

Innes National Park Map

Have a browse around the national park area using this map.

The park is full of wildlife, rugged coastline, sandy beaches, lighthouses and old ruins to explore.

This is why you must camp in the park and go exploring for a few days.

Innes National Park
Innes National Park

Entry National Park

Entering the park is not free unless you have a South Australian Parks Pass.

Vehicle fees cost $9-$11 dollars each. This must be paid even if you are just visiting for a day trip.

Camping fees can be bought online via the Parks SA site and usually cost about $5.00 per person per night.

Innes National Park Accommodation

Staying in the park is a must, but before you set up camp you need to pay your fees to enter Innes National Park.

Booking and payments are made before entering via the Parks SA website.

Great campsites to stay at include:

  • Stenhouse Bay Campground
  • Cable Bay Campground
  • Pondalowie Bay Campground
  • Casuarina Campground
  • Shell Beach Campground
  • Browns Beach Campground
  • Gym Beach Campground

The two large campgrounds that are suitable for large vans are:

  • Pondalowie Bay Campground
  • Stenhouse Bay

If you would rather not rough it by camping try staying at these lodges and guesthouses in and around the park.

Inside the National Park grounds include:

  • Shepherds Hut Innes National Park
  • Engineers Lodge Inneston
  • Inneston Miners Lodge
  • Norfolk Lodge Inneston
  • Residence 3 – Innes National Park
  • Residence 4 – Innes National Park
  • Stenhouse Bay Hall – Innes National Park

Outside National Park at Marion Bay township accommodation:

  • Marion Bay Seaside apartments
  • Marion Bay Caravan Park
  • Marion Bay Holiday Villas
  • Bayside Glamping
  • Chill n Sea Coastal Retreat
  • Blue Breeze
  • The Lookout, Marion Bay
  • Wywurry Beach House

Marion Bay Township Facilities Near By Park

If you need food, petrol and supplies make sure you head into town and visit the Marion Bay General Store and Jetty Cafe. Here you can basically get anything you need for the national park.

Make sure you stop in at the Marion Bay Tavern in town for a great feed. They have awesome beers on tap, wood-fired pizzas and delicious chips for the little ones.

You don’t have to always rough it.

Innes National Park Marion Tavern
Marion Tavern Food
Innes National Park Marion Tavern
Marion Tavern Beer, Oh yeah!

What is There to Do at Innes National Park?

South Australian National Parks are some of the most beautiful in the country with amazing fauna and flora.

Depending what your passions and interests are there is heaps to see and do at Innes National Park.

Innes National Park walks

Here is a list of walks you can take at the park, including walks to the lighthouses.

  • Inneston Historic Township Walk
  • Cape Spencer Lighthouse
  • West Cape Lookout Walk
  • Pondalowie Bay Walk
  • Royston Head Hike
  • Cape Spencer Lighthouse
Innes National Park Walks
Explore headlands and secret beaches

Innes National Park Rock Pools

This natural rock pool can be found hidden at the furthest end of Shelly Beach. Head to the Shell Beach campground and follow the path down to the beach.

The pools are surrounded by rocks and on a clear day, it is very inviting for a dip.

Innes National Park 4wd Tracks

The park is accessible easily with most 2wd vehicles so it isn’t the hardest 4wd type of park. We got around the entire park area without any difficulty.

Innes National Park 4WD tracks
Innes National Park 4WD tracks. You never know what you will run into

Innes National Park Surfing

Another wicked thing to do at Innes is to surf its gnarly waves. The Southwest coast boasts a number of excellent surfing spots for all skill levels.

Try out the following spots next time you visit:

  • Pondalowie Bay – Medium-sized surf, beach and reef break. This break has a massive timber walkway all the way to the beach, magic hike.
  • Ethel Wreak – Can be a little fickle and generally only surfed in summer but boasts a right-hander.
  • Richards – Medium surf, north of the main Pondalowie break a couple of hundred meters. Right-hander over sand and reef.
  • Chinamans – Heavy wave for experienced only. Powerful left-hand break over shallow reef.
  • West Cape – Heavy wave breaking right in good conditions.
  • Daly Head – Heavy surf that mainly breaks left can hold quite a bit of swell.
  • Baby Lizards – Medium surf that generally breaks right with short rides.
  • Salmon Hole – Medium surf breaking right long, hollow and fast.
  • Spits – Medium surf that has an average left-hand point break.
Innes National Park Surfing
Surfing at Innes National Park

There are some other spots that are for experienced surfers only. Please be careful down here because you are isolated.

Try to surf with a friend and get some advice from the locals before tackling anything serious. Also, watch out for sharks, you never know.

Innes National Park Fishing

For the best fishing spots on the Yorke Peninsula try out the following spots:

  • Stenhouse Bay Jetty
  • Browns Beach – Known as the best Salmon fishing spots
  • Also anywhere in the park that is not restricted

Restricted areas include:

  • Chinamans Hay sanctuary zone – between Stenhouse Bay and Cable Bay

Fish that are frequent in these waters include Salmon, squid, mullet, Tommy ruffs, sweep, garfish, Mulloway and whiting.

Innes Scuba Diving

The Yorke Peninsula is also great for scuba diving. There are something like 22 ships along its coastline to explore. Diving is done in the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park Area.

National Park Swimming

Be careful swimming along this coastline because strong rips can make swimming dangerous. Try and swim in the more protected bays.

Innes National Park Weather

Like all Southern parts of Australia, the weather can change fast. Changes happen in South Australia within a blink of an eye.

We got caught out last time we visited. It rained a lot but was still amazing and one of my best experiences ever.

Make sure you are always prepared for all conditions like rain, high winds and heat.

Best time of year to visit Innes National park depends on what you are into:

  • Summer is warm and dry perfect for the beach, but summer also has the fire season that could ruin your holiday.
  • Autumn is a better time for bushwalking and sightseeing.
  • Spring you will get to experience magical colours of the natural fauna.
  • Winter sees fresh green landscape and wild surf.

Winter is quiet but water is cold and it could rain more frequently.

The Park is beautiful no matter what the conditions are like so enjoy and stay safe.

Before you visit please check the weather conditions for peace of mind.

Innes National Park Weather
You never really know what weather you will get in South Australia. So be prepared

National Park Dangers

Avoid climbing or fishing on slippery rocks and watch out for strong currents and rips.

Also, watch out for the Great White shark that South Australi is famous for.

Innes National Park
Innes National Park

Park Verdict

This is a must-visit on any South Australian holiday, we love it here and hope you will too.

When the travel ban lifts make sure you head south and visit beautiful Innes National Park in South Australia.

Looking for other awesome destinations in Australia? If so try out these amazing spots:

  • Cactus Beach SA
  • Red Bluff WA
  • Gibb River Road WA
  • Agnes Waters QLD
  • Grampians VIC
  • Best Places to see in Australia
  • Crowdy Bay National Park, NSW

Filed Under: All, Australia

Previous Post: «slow boat to luang prabang Slow Boat to Luang Prabang (Best Way to Laos)
Next Post: Herobility Eco-Friendly Baby Feeding Set – Review Herobility Eco-Friendly Baby Feeding Set»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Meet the Family

Gadsventure

Welcome, We are the Gadsventure Team! Our family of 6 is constantly seeking fun and adventure …

Follow Our Journey!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Find Flights


Find Hotels



Booking.com

Find Deals


Discounts on Tours


15% Off Asia

Find Tours


real food


Footer

 

 

“Travel, as much as you can, as far as you can, as long as you can…………. Life’s not meant to be lived in one place.”

Find Out How

  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 · Mai Lifestyle Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
0 shares