Seaside Sagas: Top Things to Do in the Yorke Peninsula
- Surf and climb dunes at Yorke Peninsula’s world-class beaches
- Dine and drink country-style in Watsacowie Brewing Company
- Explore a ghost town at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park
- Time-travel to the past and check mining machinery at Moonta Mines Museum
- Perfect your swing at Copper Coast Putt Putt
- Discover over a century of Australian farming at The Farm Shed Museum & Tourism Center
- Cool off in style at the whimsical Splash Town
- Trek to pink salt lakes
- Stay in a 1950s shack
- Go deep-sea fishing with Reef Encounters Fishing Charters
- Enjoy a romantic stay at a luxe pod by the sea
- Taste the best blends of Yorke Peninsula’s first commercial winery
- Feast on fresh oysters at Pacific Estate Oysters
Whether you’re seeking seaside serenity, thrilling water sports, or a glimpse into the fascinating past, the Yorke Peninsula promises a blend of relaxation and adventure for all types of wanderers.
In this coastal region between Gulft St. Vincent and the Spencer Gulf, travelers can surf and soak the sun on beaches, check the nooks and crannies of a ghost town, and float in lakes with bubblegum colors!
If you’re explorer senses are now tingling, stick with us, and you’ll be navigating the Yorke Peninsula like a local pro in no time. We have the 411 on everything you need, from the region’s tourist hotspots to their locations and more.
Surf and climb dunes at Yorke Peninsula’s world-class beaches
– From yorkepeninsula
With a whopping 700 kilometers of coastline, the Yorke Peninsula doesn’t lack beach activities for laidback explorers and adrenaline junkies. There’s Berry Bay, which flaunts gnarly waves perfect for surf enthusiasts who want to catch exciting breaks.
At the top of the peninsula, you’ll stumble upon the awe-inspiring Flaherty Beach, famous for its powder-white sand, crystal-clear shallows, and sprawling sandbanks. In 2022, Tourism Australia even declared it the 4th most beautiful beach in the entire country!
If you want rock formations, a cove, and rugged cliffs, the Insta-worthy Ethel Beach checks all the boxes. The ocean scenery here is misty and moody (especially during the golden hours), thanks to the beach’s strong surf.
For a more secluded oasis, there’s Shell Beach with sandhills showcasing a panorama of ivory sands and clear blue waters. Having a picnic or a date here will give you extra bragging rights aside from peace of mind.
| Tip: All of the beaches above boast underwater marvels. Bring along some snorkeling gear to see the colorful world their waters hide. |
Dine and drink country-style in Watsacowie Brewing Company
Address: 9 Depot Rd, Minlaton, SA 5575
Contact Details: (08) 8822 7117
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Thu – 11 am to 6 pm
- Fri – 11 am to 7 pm
- Sat to Sun – 11 am to 6 pm
Watsacowie Brewing Company will add a boozy kick to your Yorke Peninsula getaway. Twelve taps pouring chilled craft beer all year round await brew aficionados here, while a selection of local South Australian wines is also available for vino lovers.
As for the food, they don’t have a full-time kitchen, but a rotation of food vendors dish out grub like pies and BBQs on weekends. Check their Facebook page for the lowdown on who’s cooking up a storm and when.
In addition to the drinks and bites, a couple of bands and artists deliver toe-tapping tunes here on most weekends.
| Tip: This brewery is dog-friendly, so don’t forget your furry pal when you swing by for good times. |
Explore a ghost town at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park
Address: Inneston, SA 5577
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 Hours
Tucked away in the wild terrains of Inneston, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is where outdoor adventures meet ghostly intrigue. Most visitors surf, fish, and look for wildlife here, particularly for ospreys diving for fish and the rare tammar wallabies.
Other activities include exploring the bush trails, with the breezy Stenhouse Bay Lookout Walk as one of the go-tos due to its clifftop views of the sea and coastal heathlands. You can also visit lighthouses and the Ethel shipwreck to learn about the region’s maritime past.
Those looking for more history with a dash of spookiness can join the Inneston Historic Walk, a two-kilometer guided tour of an abandoned mining town. We suggest spending the night in the town’s renovated miner’s cottages and going on a heart-pounding after-dark jaunt!
| Tips: If you plan to explore the trails, wear sturdy shoes and check the weather forecast beforehand. The park is also 2 kilometers away from town amenities, so it’s crucial to double-check and have all your essentials before heading here. |
Time-travel to the past and check mining machinery at Moonta Mines Museum
Address: 31 Ellen St, Moonta, SA 5558
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed – 1 pm to 4 pm
- Thu to Fri – Closed
- Sat to Sun – 1 pm to 4 pm
The Moonta Mines Museum isn’t just about ancient chalkboards and boring history lessons. It’s a vibrant treasure trove of Moonta’s Cornish mining history and their way of life.
Within the museum’s 14 rooms, visitors can see thematic displays covering various facets such as mining practices, social clubs, leisure activities, and even death and hardships. Step inside, and you’ll find mining tools, models of mining shafts, yesteryear’s fashion, and more.
The exhibits also showcase other relics, including vintage costumes, delicate china, a 19th-century classroom, an extensive array of photographs, and memorabilia from the two World Wars.
| Tip: Don’t forget to swing by the Moonta Mine Sweet Stop, just 20 meters south of the museum. You can buy and taste traditional soft drinks and old English sweets here. |
Perfect your swing at Copper Coast Putt Putt
Address: 50 Mines Rd, Matta Flat, SA 5554
Contact Details: (08) 8821 2333
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 4 pm
With 18 holes of varying difficulty, Copper Coast Putt Putt is a fun experience suitable for families and groups looking for a bit of golfing action.
It’s just $5 per player, and the friendly staff gets heaps of praise. The spot is dog-friendly, too, so you can let your fur baby watch as you practice your swings.
If you’re planning on organizing an after-hours shindig with friends here, you can make group bookings by visiting their website.
| Tip: There’s no strict cutoff time here for regular players, but be sure to wrap up your game and return the gear to the Visitor Information Center by 4 pm. |
Discover over a century of Australian farming at The Farm Shed Museum & Tourism Center
Address: 50 Mines Rd, Matta Flat, SA 5554
Contact Details: (08) 8821 2333
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10 am to 4 pm
A century’s worth of Australian farming history awaits you at The Farm Shed Museum & Tourism Center. This half-hectare spot has interpretive displays, bringing to life the tales and extensive farming collection that defines the Yorke Peninsula.
From shearing to farm horses, the museum’s exhibits offer an immersive insight into rural life and can be checked through guided and self-guided tours. One of the must-see displays is the Ruston Hornsby Engine, once used to drive generators at the Lochiel saltworks.
Visitors can also learn about the revolutionary impact of inventions like the stump jump plow, uncover the role of women in farming, marvel at the massive stationary machinery, and examine vintage farm vehicles, both horse-drawn and motor-powered.
| Tip: Remember to visit the Matta House outside of the museum. This exhibit is a captivating glimpse into the Late Victorian period during the peak of the local copper mining industry. |
Cool off in style at the whimsical Splash Town
Address: 167 Bay Rd, Moonta Bay, SA 5558
Contact Details: (08) 8825 2406
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 6 pm
Yorke Peninsula’s beaches aren’t the only watery spots that can help you beat the summer heat. There’s also Splash Town!
Nestled at the stunning Moonta Bay foreshore, this free-to-use community water park and playground combo has five slides, three water mushrooms, a tipping water bucket, and ample artificial turf for those well-deserved rest breaks.
| Tip: While the park has awesome aqua action, it’s a sun-soaked locale, so pack your hats, sunscreen, and shades. |
Trek to pink salt lakes
Pink salt lakes are some of Mother Nature’s best offerings, and the Yorke Peninsula teems with these bodies of water that have magical bubblegum-like colors. In fact, there are 200 of them in this region!
We suggest taking the short, sweet, and satisfying trail if you’re craving to see these natural wonders. It starts at Weaner Flat Reserve and leads to Domaschenz Lake, Geitz Lake, and the captivating Pink Lake before heading back to Yorketown.
| Tip: You can take a dip in the pink lakes, but drinking the water, no matter how tempting it looks, is not advised. As the name implies, these lakes are salty, and you don’t want harmful microorganisms going wild in your system. |
Stay in a 1950s shack
Address: Chinaman Wells Road, Chinaman Wells, Yorke Peninsula, SA 5573
Contact Details: 0417 771 944
Love and Mutiny is a charming, romantic, and dreamy 1950s-themed shack that blends majestic natural views with modern conveniences. The dig’s 360 views of the sky, earth, and sea attract tourists, especially during months with fair weather.
In terms of essentials, the retreat has bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed, offering comfort wrapped in quality linen. The communal space has a rustic kitchen table, perfect for gatherings or laid-back moments, and an inviting wood fire near the window seats.
There’s also a spacious balcony providing an elevated vista of the entire beach, an ideal spot for viewing the golden hours and the local black swans roaming the grounds.
| Tip: Bringing paddleboards and kayaks is allowed here. |
Go deep-sea fishing with Reef Encounters Fishing Charters
Address: Pondalowie Fisherman’s Village, Inneston, SA 5577
Contact Details: 0407 609 988
Operating Hours: Daily – 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
With Reef Encounters Fishing Charters, you’ll reel in a maritime adventure that’s half fishing, half exploration. They have angling vets that will take you to deep-sea fishing spots, where sprawling offshore reefs, captivating islands, and rich waters teem with an array of species.
You can expect a thrilling haul of sought-after catches like snapper, nannygai, and whiting to blue morwong and sharks. They’ll also help you hook trophy species like southern bluefin tuna and Samson fish!
And you also don’t have to stress about the gear like tackles and rods. Reef Encounters will provide them.
| Tip: Guest anglers need to pack water, lunch, and snacks, as Reef Encounters’ fishing tours can last up to 12 hours. |
Enjoy a romantic stay at a luxe pod by the sea
Address: 127 Klein Point Rd, Stansbury, SA 5582
Contact Details: 0492 922 321
Check-in: 3 pm
Check-out: 11 am
Serenity, romance, and the soothing sound of waves are what Klein Pod offers its guests. Here, you’ll enjoy views of Pitts Cutting, oyster beds during low tide, and mallee trees serving as homes to serenading birds.
In terms of amenities, this adults-only accommodation has a sparse yet purposeful interior that features a snug lounge area, a compact kitchenette, a cozy queen-sized bed, a toasty combustion heater, and an air conditioner.
Outdoors, the deck hosts a daybed and a BBQ, making it a perfect spot to unwind and soak in the coastal tranquility.
| Tip: Ensure you have ample provisions, as the pod’s remote location limits access to amenities. The nearest spot where you can buy essentials like snacks and water is 2 km from this accommodation. |
Taste the best blends of Yorke Peninsula’s first commercial winery
Address: 159 Lizard Park Dr, Yorke Valley, SA 5573
Contact Details: (08) 8834 1258
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 5 pm
Barley Stacks Wines presents an authentically Australian wine-tasting experience that stands out from the pack. This vineyard prides itself on an all-in-one process, cultivating, fermenting, and bottling its wines on-site, ensuring meticulous quality control at every step.
Among their lineup, the 2016 Shiraz is our favorite because of its rich red and blue fruit character. Packed with a punch at 13% alcohol, this one’s for those who appreciate a well-rounded, robust wine experience.
Then, there’s the 2020 Viogscato, delivering sweet stone fruit flavors dancing with citrusy notes that amplify into a satisfying finish, promising an enduring, enjoyable sip.
| Tip: Make sure to stay updated on the winery’s upcoming events, which typically consist of cooking classes and musical performances. |
Feast on fresh oysters at Pacific Estate Oysters
Address: Lot 3 Jones Rd, Stansbury, SA 5582
Contact Details: 0467 485 291
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 11 am to 3 pm
- Tue to Wed – Closed
- Thu to Fri – 11 am to 3 pm
- Sat – 9 pm to 11:30 am
- Sun – 11 am to 3 pm
With Pacific Estate Oysters, you’ll have a paddock-to-plate experience by feasting on their fresh oysters nurtured and harvested from natural sea-grass meadows. If that’s not enough, you can join their intimate small-group adventures to immerse yourself in the oyster world.
Their crew will teach you the history of South Australia’s oyster industry, help you delve into the secrets behind oyster growth and processing, and assist you in learning how to shuck like a pro. They’ll also reveal the best condiments and drinks to pair the oysters with.
Oh, and if you’re lucky, you can even rub shoulders with local dolphins and seals while plucking their scrumptious oysters!!
| Tip: Check out their website’s pro tips section to learn key things about oysters before your visit for an enhanced experience. |
