Getting There
Located approximately two hours north west of Adelaide, the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia offers a breathtaking blend of rugged coastlines, serene beaches, and some pretty impressive wildlife as well.
The roads on the Yorke Peninsula have a reputation for being a bit rough, so for this trip we left Molly the Coaster Bus at home and took the four wheel drive instead. The whole purpose of this trip was to scope out campsites and beaches that we can access with the motorhome on future trips. Also, there is an Air BnB near Marion Bay that is a tiny home! We really wanted to go and check it out.
Day 1 – Yorke Peninsula Coastal Towns and Local Delights
Our destination for Day 1 was Marion Bay but we had the whole day ahead of us to make our way there, exploring the Yorke Peninsula along the way. First stop on the journey was the famous Kipling Bakery at Port Wakefield, known for its delicious baked goods. I was hankering for a Cornish pasty which did not disappoint. Suitably fed and caffeine up we then continued on our journey, stopping in at a couple of bush camps between Ardrossan and Black Point to see what they were like. The bush camps were a bit exposed and the beaches were tidal and seaweedy, so not really our cup of tea. I’m sure others will love them though.
Black Point
The Black Point Caravan Park looked very picturesque and is definitely up the top of our list of Yorke Peninsula destinations to return to with our Toyota Coaster Motorhome. It’s north facing beach was stunning to look at, with nice calm water as it is protected from the wind. I can just see us sitting under the annex on our bus, sipping a glass of wine, reading a book and occasionally looking up at those spectacular views! It has showers, toilets and a laundry and looks well maintained and comfortable. For now though, it was on to our next stop at Port Vincent.
Port Vincent
The Port Vincent caravan park is also on the list of places to return to on the Yorke Peninsula. It is well laid out with a good selection of premium sites overlooking the water. I love the town of Port Vincent. It has such a good feel to it. A laid back holiday vibe with everything you need within walking distance. The Port Vincent Kiosk serves tasty fish and chips, burgers and donuts and very reasonable prices. It is also located right on the water with plenty of seating options that make the most of the location. Sit out in the sunshine in winter, or under the shade cover in summer, all with a great view of the water.
Minlaton
After a delicious feed of fish and chips we were feeling a bit thirsty, so it was on to the Whatsacowie Brewery at Minlaton for a tasting paddle. Wow, what a great space this is! We visited on a Friday around lunch time so it was a bit quiet, but I could just imagine this place pumping on a weekend. Plenty of room inside and out to host big groups, and plenty of private nooks for couples and smaller groups. I was very happy with my beer choices and left with a mixed six pack of beers to enjoy over the weekend.
Sultana Point
From Minlaton we headed south-east on the Yorke Peninsula to Sultana Point, where a massive (I wonder what is the collective noun for wind turbines?) wind farm is located. This was like something out of a science fiction novel. Gigantic white towers with humming blades rotating, creating the power to run our human world. I found them both mesmerizing and relaxing to watch. Stopping at a couple of bush camps along this coastal section though made me think twice about camping near the wind farm. The camps were pretty good, offered protection from the wind through shrubs and sand dunes, but the continuous humming of the wind turbines would get to me after awhile I would think. Each to their own though, and I’m sure others will love it.
From Sultana Point we continued west along the coast, and were treated to some of the most stunning coastline I have ever seen, anywhere in the world. Azure blue water shining like diamonds, dramatic and sheer cliffs, stunning red rocks and pure white sand. Hidden beaches just calling out to be explored (if you can access them, those cliffs are pretty forboding!) and remote roads that make you feel like you are the only people on earth. This stretch of road is about 100km and most of that is set inland a bit, but the coastal views are well worth going out of your way to see.
Bayside Glamping at Marion Bay: A Perfect Base
Arriving at Marion Bay mid afternoon, we headed to our accommodation at Bayside Glamping Tiny House. This is a charming and eco-friendly Airbnb that served as the perfect base for our explorations. The home has been strategically placed in a secluded spot on a farm near Marion Bay so it was a quiet and private location. Guests are free to roam the property which I did, spotting lots of kangaroos and birds during my walk. The home was just a few minutes drive from the Marion Bay General Store and Marion Bay Tavern which was convenient to pick up extra snacks and treats during our stay.
The owners have done a great job building this home and fitting it out into a very comfortable and unique accommodation option. It was exciting to stay in such an adorable property.
We loved our stay at the Tiny House! It was cosy, luxurious and memorable. As luck would have it, the weekend we visited was when the Aurora Australis was visible. With no light pollution and clear skies we got a perfect view of this natural phenomenon.
Day 2 – Exploring the National Park on the Yorke Peninsula
With our base set, we embarked on a journey to discover the awe-inspiring Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, a natural wonderland teeming with diverse wildlife and dramatic landscapes. This National Park is located on the southern coast of the Yorke Peninsula. The park’s rugged cliffs, sculpted by the relentless forces of the ocean, stood tall and imposing against the azure sky. We stopped at the lookouts and marvelled at the panoramic views that stretched out to the horizon. The serenity of the environment was palpable, punctuated only by the distant cries of seabirds and the rhythmic crashing of waves.
Stenhouse Bay
Eager to explore the peninsula’s famous beaches and camp sites, we stopped in to look at many of the points of interest dotted along the main road within the National Park. Stenhouse Bay, located right by the Visitor Centre, had a sensational lookout over the old jetty and bay area. It also has a great camping area we are keen to take the Coaster bus to on a future trip. They have fire pits, the camp sites offer a bit of shelter, good toilet facilities and there is a nice beach right behind the sand dunes.
Cape Spencer Lighthouse
Cape Spencer Lighthouse was one of the highlights of our weekend on the Yorke Peninsula. The lighthouse itself is not open to visitors but the walk out to the lighthouse is amazing. It is located out on a point with stunning views of hidden beaches and spectacular cliffs as you look back towards the coast.
Pondalowie Bay
Pondalowie Bay has two campgrounds – one for tents and one for caravans, camping trailers and motorhomes. This makes the list to take the Coaster Bus for a future trip too! Once again good shelter for the campsites, close to some nice beaches and fishing spots, a popular surf break is nearby.
After Pondalowie, the road got a bit rougher so we probably won’t venture any further in the Coaster Bus. The 4 wheel drive was fine though and we travelled on to visit Dolphin Bay, Shell Beach and Browns Beach which were all very pretty and easy to access.
By early afternoon we were ready for lunch, so headed back to the Marion Bay Tavern for a delicious wood fired pizza and glass of the local wine to go with it. After that, it was back to the Tiny House for a relaxing afternoon.
Day 3 – Marion Bay to Balgowan (Western Yorke Peninsula)
We awoke in the Tiny House to a freezing, foggy morning so it was a bit hard to get out of bed! A hot shower, a pot of coffee and a bacon and egg sandwich got us going though. We farewelled the Tiny House and set off in a westerly direction on the Yorke Peninsula on the main road towards Corny Point. We took the turn off for the scenic drive to the Corny Point look out and saw the west coast of the peninsula for the first time at Point Anne.
Berry Bay and Corny Point
Expecting a wild and woolly surf coast, we were surprised and delighted to see the ocean on this side of the peninsula like a mill pond – not a wave or ripple in site. Clear sky, sun shining brightly, relatively warm for this time of year (Autumn) and smooth seas in all directions. It was truly one of the most beautiful vistas of the whole weekend. Just as we were saying this couldn’t be topped, we spotted a pod of dolphins playing in the shallows at Berry Bay South. This was a great spot to park the car, sit on the steps leading down the beach and enjoy the sunshine and the entertainment.
The Corny Point Lighthouse, standing sentinel over the western tip of the Yorke Peninsula, was another highlight. The lighthouse’s historic charm and the dramatic coastal views it offered were captivating. The surrounding area, with its windswept beaches and rugged terrain, felt like a place lost in time.
Point Souttar
From Corny Point it was on to Point Souttar to explore the Bush Camp there. The verdict is that it is probably a bit rough to get the Motorhome into but other than that it looks nice enough. We stopped off to have a look at the swimming beach at Point Souttar and in the process found a cute Beach Shack that can be rented as a holiday home. Yes it is literally called the Beach Shack and you can rent it on AirBnB. It overlooks the swimming beach at Point Souttar and we could just imagine ourselves sitting out on the deck, watching the water, relaxing, reading, swimming, eating delicious food. We have rented it for a few days later this year so watch this space and we will give you a full review on it afterwards.
Port Rickaby
By now it was time for lunch so we headed to the kiosk at the Port Rickaby Caravan Park for a steak sandwich. They actually have a really good range of fish, chips and burgers style of food plus a general store to pick up supplies, and it is reasonably priced too. The jetty is a short walk away so you can take your lunch down there and enjoy it in the seating area overlooking the water. The caravan park looks well maintained, lots of grassy sites and nice beaches nearby. I would definitely like to bring the Coaster bus back here one day.
Balgowan
We had one more stop for the day and that was at Balgowan to check out the Caravan Park . This was similar to the one at Black Point that we liked – small, sheltered position, nice views and well maintained. I love the walking and cycling trail that is right by it and the beach is protected from the winds. It is definitely added to the list of places to bring the Coaster Bus to.
And with that, it was time to head home. What a fantastic adventure we have had over three days covering most of the Yorke Peninsula. There are still a lot of places we didn’t get to see but would have liked to. Inneston, Gym Beach, Flaherty’s Beach, Edithburgh, Port Victoria and Moonta just to name a few. That’s ok though, we can explore them on the next visit! For more ideas on where to take your Toyota Coaster Motorhome visit our Destination Ideas page.
