The Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park can be found at the very southern tip of the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. With gorgeous sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and plenty of wildlife. The name of this park has recently changed from Innes National Park to Dhilba Guuranda – Innes National Park and is co-managed by Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation (NNAC). In this blog I have put together the perfect 3 day Itinerary. If you visit the National park outside of peak times, you’ll likely have much of the place to yourself. When we visited in September, we had an incredible few days in the national park enjoying most of the beaches and walks without anyone else around. Click Here for the most beautiful places to visit in Innes National Park.
Where To Stay
The Innes National Park is so beautiful that you don’t want to leave. Well, you don’t have to if you choose to camp! There are 8 different campsites available which need to be pre booked ahead of time. All the info you need is here. We camped at Stenhouse Bay Campground. It’s located just instead the National Park and is a great location right near Little Emu beach and Stenhouse Bay Jetty. Campsites are $24 per night.
If you prefer a cabin in nature head to Marion Bay Holiday Village cabins start from $100 a night for a 2 bedroom villa Or Marion Bay Caravan Park. Powered sites from $35 and Unpowered from $30.
Day 1
Head past Marion Bay on the way into the National Park. This is the last town where you can stock up on any last minute supplies you may need over the next 3 days. Once in the national park don’t forget to pay your park fees. Which start from $12.50 per day or $50 for 2 month multiple park pass. If you decide to camp at Stenhouse Bay this is the closest camp to Marion Bay. We found it convenient to stay here and be able to explore the park easily. First head out to the Stenhouse bay jetty and walk around the Stenhouse Bay lookout trail which has 7 lookouts around the 2km circuit. Keep your eyes open for emu’s.
In the afternoon relax at little emu beach. At sunset head out to the road view lookout and china man’s hat lookout only a 5 minute drive from the campground.
Day 2
Morning
In the morning get up early and enjoy Dolphin Beach, Shell Beach or Browns Beach all to yourself. You can go for a swim or relax on the sand. Next, head to Royston Head for the 5km return walk for some incredible views. The terrain is quite rocky and then becomes sandy as you head up and over a few sand dunes out to the point. You will experience amazing views of the rugged coast. There is no official lookout point, but once you head up and over a sand dune you will come out to spectacular views on the cliffs at Royston Head.
Afternoon
In the afternoon head out Pondalowie surf walk. 1.2km 40 minute return. The boardwalk provides a path to the Pondalowie surf break. Once on the beach its about a 800 meter walk out to the boat wreck. Next head out Pondalowie Bay Lookout and Goblet lookout.
Day 3
Morning
In the morning first head out to West cape lighthouse to do the 1km loop walk. Next head to Ethel beach wreck and Ethel Beach. Spend the morning exploring the wreck on the beach. In the afternoon head out to Inneston historic walk, it’s a 2km circuit 1 hour return walk. The walk is well marked and takes you back to the 1900’s when this was a small signs tell the story of the close-knit community of Inneston.
Afternoon
You can extend the walk by following the old wooden railway line that runs from Inneston to Stenhouse Bay along the Thomson-Pfitzner Plaster Trail Hike which 7.6km 3 hour return hike.
For your last sunset in the national park head out to Cape spencer light house a short 600 meter walk from the carpark. This short walk has spectacular views from Cape Spencer, including of the Althorpe Islands.
