Explored some of the toe of the Yorke Peninsula today. Awesome coastal scenery, pristine blue ocean waters, sandy beaches, limestone rocks and outcrops, reefs and islands, shipwrecks and wildlife galore. Today we saw emu, kangaroo,  numerous scampering  lizards and snakes (on the road- one curled up and possibly live and the rest dead and dehydrated).

Began with spectacular views at Daly Head-reminded me a little of Raglan with steep cliffs to surf beach, rocks and sandy shore. We then headed down into Innes National Park with it’s variegated and low growing coastal bushland. Inneston  is a historic town within the park that provided housing and facilities for miners working in factories producing plaster of Paris and chalk. Didn’t have time to explore this trip. The old mines are now lakes.

Met plenty of emu along the way including some very cute little ones with their stripey coats. Stopped in at Stenhouse Bay with its curved pier- previously a port servicing the gypsum mining industry in the area.

Views across the Spencer Gulf and a picnic  lunch at Cable Bay, looking out to Chinamans Hat and Haystack Island. Lovely sunny day with a cool wind but the colours in the sea were glorious. Nice walk up to Cape Spencer Lighthouse out of the wind and with stretching views back up the coastline. Heading back up the toe we visited Ethel Beach-great looking surf with demos underway and a shipwreck of the Ethel still visible in the beach. Also went to Pondolowie Bay-again wonderful colours in the coastal scenery and a cute little fishing village as well. Spotted Dad, Mum and Bubs kangaroo lying in the sun just off the track.

The peninsula has a rich history with a copper mining boom 1859-1923 and agriculture with the region becoming known as the “Barley  Capital of the World”.  Still a lot of barley and wheat produced and some big breweries  are located here. The Stump Jump Plough was invented here in 1876. You can certainly see how this would have reduced the back breaking work for the early settlers who cleared the stumps and limestone rocks.

Enjoyed wide  views across the farmland areas both cropping and merino sheep stations and a few llama. Windmills driving waterpumps and country farmhouses with numerous silos and outbuildings kept viewing fascinating and enjoyable. Such huge spaces and still in a peninsula.

Headed back to Adelaide late avo-had to give way to the emus crossing! They waited politely till we stopped instead of flying out of the bush as they are want to do.

Great scenery and tour with the outlaws. Fine driving over dirt roads and swerving to save all  the lizards Chris. Thank you All!

Yorke Peninsula – Innes

Author: Gill

Hi. I'm fun-loving, creative, mostly energetic and a mother of 3. My interests are family, culinary pursuits (I own just a few cookbooks...), socialising and entertaining, living and always learning.