Where are we going:
Hello – it’s the Maxxis Man again, checking in for the last in our current holiday road trip series! For this one, we’ll be taking on a stretch of South Australia’s stunning Yorke Peninsula Coastal Way from Port Wakefield to Port Broughton.
Our travels will take us along a spectacular itinerary that’s a paradise for surfers and anglers (and everyone else who loves a good view) including the picturesque Marion Bay, Innes National Park, miles of sandy dunes, prime oyster ocean, the towering cliffs of Edithburgh and the historical rich copper towns of Kadina, Moonta, Wallaroo – and beyond. From fishing, snorkelling, diving, swimming, surfing and camping to wineries, museums and yet more pristine unpopulated beaches – there is so much to see and do in this amazing part of SA. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get the Spotify playlist on, inflate those tyres (remember to do this while they are still cool) and we’ll be on our way for yet another picture-perfect great Australian outdoors adventure.
What car to drive and the all-important question of tyres:
Doing this drive in a bit of comfort with plenty of space for all your camping and other outdoors kit is definitely the go! A touring SUV such as a Ford Territory, Toyota Kluger fitted with Maxxis HT770’s (what else?) will be sure to help you make the most of this drive of all drives.
What to pack:
If fishing or camping is your thing – you’ll need the A to Z kit for this trip which, as I’ve mentioned already, covers some prime fishing and camping territory. If your plan is to stay overnight at one of the many hotels or more luxurious accommodation options, you’ll still need an eskie for your picnic and BBQ along the way – not to mention the mandatory sunscreen, sunnies, hat and swimmers. Binoculars will also help you take in the myriad of birds (including the fairy penguin), dolphins, whales and other sea inhabitants that can be spotted along the Yorke Peninsula’s breathtaking coastline.
How to get there and where to stop:
Port Wakefield to Ardrossan
We start our road trip at the historical hub of Port Wakefield (about 100km north of Adelaide on the A1 National Highway). A 35-minute drive (51km) on the Yorke Highway will take us to the seaport town of Ardrossan, with a fabulous clifftop lookout providing exceptional views. As well as a heritage museum (which houses lots of information on agriculture and historical shipwrecks in the area) this is a great place to get out those rods and do a bit of fishing – you may also like to know its waters are teeming with blue swimmer crabs!
Port Vincent
Just another 46km further on we arrive at Port Vincent, a small town with sheltered bay and pretty marina (and plenty more accommodation options). Port Vincent is the perfect place for an ice cream (or something else cold), take a dip or do some fishing or crabbing.
Stansbury
Still on the seafood trail — next stop (just 15 minutes down the road) is Stansbury, famous for its oysters. A tour with Pacific Estate Oysters will give you the opportunity to pick your own, fresh from the ocean.
Marion Bay
From Stansbury, continue a further 94km on the Yorke Highway to Marion Bay, the gateway to the Innes National Park and great surfing spot. This relaxed and picturesque seaside town is also good for swimming or fishing off the jetty – so if you’re ready for some downtime, get those swimming togs, fishing gear and eskie out the car, and your day is pretty much set! With heaps of fresh air, views, a great caravan park and local tavern serving up hearty meals, you could make Marion Bay an overnight stopover.
Innes National Park
Back in the car and just a few minutes on, is the entrance to Innes National Park which offers an abundance of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, natural rock pools, birds and land and sea animals (including wallabies, emus kangaroos, whales and dolphins). The Australia’s Great Outdoors really doesn’t get better than this – and there’s plenty to explore for a couple of days if you decided to set up camp! The West Cape Lookout is a fabulous spot to take in the spectacular 360 0 views, take a walk to the Cape Spencer Lighthouse, visit the historic Ethel shipwreck at Ethel Beach, or launch out on a bushwalking trail (these range from 30 minutes to four hours – so there is something for everyone). The park (for which you don’t necessarily need a 4×4!) is a fabulous for a day visit but also offers camping sites (with the most tremendous views). There is a $10 fee to enter the park – and online bookings can be done prior to arrival.
Minlaton
If you can tear yourself away from the spectacular national park, the next leg of our trip is along the the Yorke Highway to Minlaton (about an hour away). Minlaton, in the heart of farming country, is home to the Red Devil monoplane flown by famous World War 1 pilot, Harry Butler – on show at the memorial in the town. If chocolate is your thing, make sure to put a visit to the famous Minlaton Chocolaterie on your agenda!
Moonta, Kadina and Wallaroo
Next stop is Moonta (with its heritage listed Moonta Mines Museum) – the largest of the three Copper Coast “triangle” of towns (along with Kadina and Wallaroo), rich in history of their copper past. Moonta is also renowned for its “Cornish” links, so trying one of their legendary Cornish pasties is a must! If you time it right you can take a 50-minute trip on the Moonta Mines Tourist Railway, which will give you a great historical overview. Kadina, just 18km further on is the largest town on the Yorke Peninsula with plenty of great cafes, while Wallaroo (9km away on the Copper Coast Highway) has a walking trail heritage museum, marina and extensive jetty (perfect location for MORE fishing, snorkelling and diving.)
Port Broughton
We’re getting near the end of our trip, although to be honest we’ve really only just experienced the tip of the iceberg of what the Yorke Peninsula has to offer. If you have a bit more time, there is so much more you can explore between the places we’ve been to and way beyond!
The final 51km stretch of our journey is to the seaside town of Port Broughton right at the top of the Yorke Peninsula, which is now in sight. Renowned for its wonderful fishing (large snapper, King George Whiting and garfish to name a few) – this is an anglers’ paradise as well as being yet another perfect spot to enjoy some fresh seafood from the local pub or café. What better way to relax at the end of this magnificent trip than set up your deck chair and take in a stunning sunset (of which Port Broughton has many). There are a number of accommodation options (from cabins, cottages and villas to camping sites), so make sure you plan a stopover to relax and enjoy before your onward journey.
Well that’s all from me folks, as we wrap up the summer holidays! For those of you who have enjoyed the inspiration, the good news is that I have plenty more ideas in store to get you out-and-about over weekends and keep those wheels rolling until the next long break … so watch this space. Until then, from myself and Team Maxxis, Happy 2019, remember to check those tyres regularly and enjoy the ride!
Please note: The information offered in this blog is of a general nature only and should in no respect replace detailed research, travel and safety preparations as relevant to your individual requirements and vehicle.
