Attractions

Sturt Bay Beach

The Sturt Bay Beach is 19.3km long with limited access. It is accessed by the a private road opposite the property on South Coast Road. Sturt Bay beach usually receives waves averaging 0.5m which maintain a low energy steep beach fronted by a narrow bar and low surf. There are three lower energy sections in the east in lee of the reefs off Point Gilbert, in the centre either side of the Sturt Road access, and in the west in lee of Sandy Point. In these locations the lower waves permit seagrass to grow almost to the beach, while in lee of Sandy Point the sand flats widen to 200 m. Occasional period of higher waves along the higher energy sections produce a one to two bar system, with rips spaced every 100 to 200 m along the inner bar. While these are usually inactive, they do result in a variable bar and trough topography close to shore. Usually relatively safe under normal low wave conditions. However, if there is any surf, beware, as rips may be present along the eastern section. Surf Life Saving Australia assesses the General Hazard Rating as 3/10 and provides no services for this beach. There is usually no surfing, only chance is during occasional high outside swell. The beach has a mixture of close-in seagrass meadows, and more variable bars and troughs, while offshore are the deeper seagrass meadows and some reefs.

Pt Moorowie Boat Ramp
The nearest boat ramp is at Port Moorowie which is 11.1km (12 minutes) east via the South Cast Road for 4.6km and then turn right onto Green Hill Road
Point Davenport
Locally

Over half of the property (21ha) is natural scrub with numerous walking tracks. Please wear closed footwear as snakes may be encountered.

Port Moorowie Coastal Walk

There are two walks that both start at the main car park,. One that goes to the east for 1.5km and explores the coastal dunes. The other is the 1km reef walk to the west. You can also explore the Port Moorowie Coastal Display Garden.

Walk the York Trail

From Port Moorowie to Foul Bay is 37.8km (9 hours 28 minutes) You follow the trail along Port Moorowie's beach front before weaving around Mozzie Flat. From Port Moorowie to Mozzie Flat Road is 3km (45mins) and is a great opportunity for spotting wildflowers. Then a beach walk from the Mozzie Flat Shelter to Sturt Bay, where you can rest at the Sturt Bay Shelter. The beach walk continues to the Point Davenport Conservation Park, where the walking trail goes along the edge of the park. Point Davenport Conservation Park is an area of high biodiversity with a range of habitats including beaches, foredunes, and an estuary that is listed as a nationally important wetland. From Mozzie Flat Road to Point Davenport is 16.9km (4 hours 14 mins). At the intersection of South Coast Road, Wild Dog Hill Road and Nugent Road; there is a shared trail to head into Foul Bay. From Point Davenport to Foul Bay is 17.9km (4 hours 29 minutes).

Scuba Diving
Air Tank Refill Stations
  • Edithburgh Motors, 55 Blanche Street, Edithburgh
  • Port Victoria Kiosk, Esplanade, Port Victoria
Althorpe Island

With depths to 40m there are more than 50 great dive sites around the Island, with lots of different things to look at. There are 20metre + walls, reefs, 3 wrecks, a couple of seal colonies, Lots of crayfish, and abalone (in season). Most dives, you will see seals, there are always big blue grouper, as well as schools of other fish.

Ardrossan – BHP Jetty

Because of the length of the jetty it is best done by boat launching from Ardrossan boat ramp. Huge schools of fish congregate at the end in a depth of around 15m.

Ardrossan Jetty

An easy shallow shore dive to 6m good for beginners.

Edithburgh Jetty

One of the best jetty dives in the State and a popular night dive with substantial marine diversity. Lots of nudibranchs and seahorses under the jetty. The pylons are covered with sponges. Usually there are heaps of fish life, cuttlefish, squid, octopus and dumpling squid. Port Jackson and small cat sharks are sometimes seen. 50 metres out from the north side of the jetty, there is also a reef, with lots of life on it too. If wind is N NE or E, even though they may be light winds, visibility will usually be poor, N = average to poor NE = poor. E = atrocious, SE = generally ok S = Good to Great SW & W = Really good NW = usually OK

Haystack Island

There is a reef approximately 500 metres off the shore of the Island, running parallel to it. It is a big wall, running the length of the island (more than a kilometre) with the sand at 22 metres, and the wall going up to about 10 metres in some spots. There are caves everywhere, swim-throughs, chasms and gorges. The wall is so long, you can easily do many dives there all in different spots. There are crayfish in abundance. The sponge and soft coral life has to be seen to be believed, it is so colourful, red, yellow, and orange everywhere. But probably the best thing about this wall, is the abundance of fish.

Point Turton

Whilst the jetty is shallow at 5m, the is a lot of life on the pylons and nudibranchs and blue ring octopus are often found here.

Port Giles

This is a long, working grain loading jetty. Fishing and snorkelling have been banned from the jetty itself by the owners regardless of whether there is a ship at the jetty or not. In the past, shore diving access has been possible from the steps at the beginning of the jetty, or as a boat dive launching from Edithburgh boat ramp. There is lots of life under the jetty with the pylons covered in sponges and soft corals. There is a big eel bed, with lots of eels there. It's quite deep for a jetty, getting up to around 14 metres at the tank at the end of the jetty.

Port Hughes Jetty

A very underrated jetty. Fish life is prolific, including large numbers of Cowfish. There are nudibranchs galore and this is a macro photographers paradise, with the chance of spotting seahorses amongst the abundant and colourful growth on the pylons or on the Sargassum algae on the periphery. Access is easy, with plentiful parking close to the jetty and toilets with a (cold water) shower. It is a shallow dive (5m), allowing plenty of time to cruise to the end and back.

Port Victoria Jetty

A very pretty dive, if a short one. See also Wardang Island for the historic shipwrecks off Port Victoria.

Stenhouse Bay Jetty

This is a lovely jetty dive in 10m with shore or boat access. Boats can be launched from Marion Bay boat ramp. There is amazing life on the numerous pylons of this old wooden jetty. At the end of the jetty is a Ford Telstar upside down.

Troubridge Point

This can be dived either from shore or by boat. Access to the best areas is by boat launched from Edithburgh boat ramp. It is a large reef system, that covers a couple of kilometres of shoreline, with huge swim through, bommies, chasms, pinnacles. Depths range to 20m. Fish life is amazing and crayfish plentiful but cannot be taken inside the section of reef inside the reserve.

Wardang Island wrecks – Port Victoria
  • SS Australian
    The SS Australian was a 49m 352 ton vessel that sank on the Southern end of Wardang Island 8 May 1912. The stern of the wreck lies in 8m of water with wreckage extending up the reef to a depth of 2.5m. The bow section has broken off and is about 100m North East of the wreck in shallow water. Fish life is usually prolific. GPS - 34:32:052S 137:21:874E
  • SS Investigator
    The SS Investigator was a 64m 605 ton vessel that sank on the Western side of Wardang Island 24 April 1918. The wreck lies in 3m to 4m of water. Fish life is usually prolific and the ship's anchor and propeller can be seen. GPS 34:31:600S 137:20:060E
  • SS MacIntyre
    The SS MacIntyre was a 33m converted river barge of 127 tons that sank near the SS Australian 1 April 1927 at the Southern end of Wardang Island. The wreck lies in 4m to 8m of water. Fish life is sparse compared to the SS Australian. GPS - 34:32:080S 137:21:980E
  • Songvaar
    The Songvaar was an 85m iron ship of 2128 tons that sank on 14 April 1912, the same day as the Titanic. The Songvaar was loaded and ready to sail and sat on her anchor as the tide went out and sank herself. Because of the danger to shipping in the area the wreck was subsequently blasted. The offending anchor can still be seen piercing the hull. The fish life on the wreck lying in 9m is amazing. GPS - 34:27:567S 137:23:277E
Wedge Island

Wedge Island

Wedge is the largest of the islands accessible by boat from Pondalowie Bay. With depths to 50m there are lots of walls, drifts, swim throughs and caves. Fish life is prolific.

Willyama

The Willyama was a 2705tonne steamer, built in 1897. On the night of 13 April, 1907, she ran aground at Rhino's Head Marion Bay. There is quite a bit left of her, with one of her masts standing a couple of metres out of the water. What is left is fairly broken up and scattered around the bottom. Reaching 12m in depth the wreck is abundant with fish life.

Wool Bay Jetty

A very shallow dive to around 4 metres but the home of many leafy sea dragons.

Zanoni

You must have a permit issued by Heritage SA to dive The Zanoni. A boat mooring buoy is installed at the site for the safety of divers and so the wreck will not suffer anchor damage. It is illegal to damage or interfere with the wreck and penalties are severe, and may involve substantial fines, imprisonment and/or confiscation of equipment. The wreck is a marine reserve, so no fishing or taking anything from it. Built in 1865 and sunk in 1867. Approximately 15 nautical miles from Ardrossan. She was a 3 masted composite ship, 42 metres long. A remarkably intact wreck, for her age. She lies on her side, and a bit of the superstructure is still standing. GPS - 34:30:707S 138:03:823E

It is wise to ring in advance as some establishments, particularly those that are not hotel, are seasonal or temporary. In order of travel time:

Warooka Hotel

Warooka Hotel (12 min)

35 Main St, Warooka, SA 5577
08 854 5001
www.warookahotel.com.au

Melville Hotel (16 min)

1 Minlaton Rd, Yorketown, South Australia 5576
08 8887 3814
www.melvillehotel.com.au

Marie's Delights (17 min)

23 Warooka Rd, Yorketown, SA 5576
0447 576 611
www.facebook.com/MariesDelights

Yorke Hotel (17 min)

1 Warooka Rd, Yorketown, SA 5576
08 8852 1221

Point Turton General Store & Bakery (18 min)

72 Bayview Rd, Point Turton, SA 5575
08 8854 5243

Tavern on Turton (20 min)

154 Bayview Road, Point Turton SA 5575
08 8854 5063
www.pointturtontavern.com.au

Edithburgh Troubridge Hotel (28 min)

26 Blanche St, Edithburgh, SA 5583
08 8852 6013
www.troubridgehotel.com.au

Edithburgh Hotel (30 min)

16 Edith Street, Edithburgh, SA 5583
08 8852 6484
www.edithburgh-hotel.business.site

Dalrymple Bar & Restaurant (33 min)

Strongly recommended for fine dining
4 ANZAC Parade, Stansbury, SA, 5582
0456 597 689
www.thedalrymplehotel.com

Fishing

Balgowan Fishing Charters

Balgowan Rd, Balgowan SA 5573
0414 336 277
www.balgowancharters.com.au

Botton End Fishing Adventures

3 Nelson St, Marion Bay SA 5575
0416 107 033
www.fishingadventures.com.au

Marion Bay Fishing Charters

9 Gannet Cres, Marion Bay SA 5575
0427 120 040
www.marionbayfishingcharters.com.au

Reef Encounters

Based in Marion Bay
0407 609 988
www.reefencounters.com.au

Reel Screamer Fishing Charters

Based in Point Turton
0439 680 937
www.reelscreamercharters.com.au

Innes National Park

A must-do on any Yorke Peninsula itinerary, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is located on the southern tip of the peninsula, and encompasses spectacular coastal landscapes, a diversity of wildlife habitats and a wide range of recreational opportunities. Hear the waves crash on the beaches, the wind whispering through the sheoaks, view the rugged coastlines sculpted by the Southern Ocean and wander through remnants of South Australia's mining and maritime history.

You can also get up close to Australian wildlife in the wild, including the reintroduced Tammar Wallabies which were previously extinct from the Australian mainland. Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park has spectacular coastal scenery, sweeping beaches and beautiful bays, wildlife, maritime and mining heritage. The park protects the largest area of native vegetation remaining on Yorke Peninsula and is the jewel in the crown for the region.

Recreational opportunities including bushwalking, bird watching, photography, camping, discovering Aboriginal and European history, fishing and surfing.

You must buy a pass online for vehicle entry to the park.

Winery

Yorke Peninsula boasts a small but emerging beverage industry producing wine, spirits and craft beer varieties. Discover boutique breweries with craft beers brewed on-site or visit wineries and vineyards in the heart of grain crops & farmland. Experience 100% crop to drop spirits, made from grains grown in paddocks which can be seen from the distillery’s cellar door.

In order of travel time:

Watsacowie Brewing Company
(36min)
Sample craft beers brewed on-site while seated at the hand-built reclaimed timber bar or enjoy a chilled cider. Watsacowie Brewery also offers regular events, including live music and food trucks on site.
9 Depot Road, Minlaton SA 5575
08 8822 7117
www.watsacowie.com.au

Barley Stacks Wines
(58min)
Choose from a range of wines – Chardonnay, Rose, Viognier, Moscato, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon – and their sparkling varieties, at Barley Stacks Wines in the centre of Yorke Peninsula amongst rich farmland and barley crops.
159 Lizard Park Drive, South Kilkerran SA  5573
08 8834 1258
www.barleystackswines.com

Emoyeni Wines, Ardrossan
(1hr 6min)
Producing Sparkling Shiraz, Shiraz and Riesling, Emoyeni Wines is a small winery at Ardrossan with a cellar door open most Sundays or by appointment.
35A Bowman Road Ardrossan SA 5571
1800 654 991
www.yorkepeninsula.com.au/atdwproduct/emoyeni-wines-restaurant-ardrossan

Sunny Hill Distillery
(1hr 17min)
Just north of Arthurton, Sunny Hill Distillery offer locally made vodka and gin from grain grown on-farm. Enjoy the modern cellar door overlooking prime farmland with distant sea views.
8658 Upper Yorke Road, Arthurton SA 5572
0400 843 904
www.sunnyhilldistillery.com.au

Hedonbar Brewing Company
(1hr 38min)
Hedonbar Brewing Company is a craft brewery and taproom located just outside Kadina, with a range of brews on tap or enjoy a paddle to sample a variety of beers.
50 Mines Rd, Matta Flat SA 5554
beer@hedonbar.com.au
www.facebook.com/HedonbarBrewing

Bond Store
(1hr 41min)
Located in Wallaroo's main street, the Bond Store produces gin and craft beer on-premises and offers a restaurant with a focus on local produce.
13 Owen Terrace, Wallaroo SA 556
08 8823 3809
www.bondstore.net.au