Yorke Peninsula Marketing Committee: Kadina On the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia

(Text & photos supplied by Yorke Peninsula Marketing Committee)

Yorke Peninsula, frequently called ‘Yorkes’ or simply ‘the Peninsula’, is a leg-shaped appendage dividing the waters of Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent, and is undeniably one of the most popular holiday destinations in South Australia.

With almost 450 kilometres of distictly varied coastline, and an average width of only 40 kilometres, it is not surprising that the sea plays such an important role in the lives of both residents and visitors.

Generations of amateurs and professionals have fished the waters surrounding Yorke Peninsula with excellent results. It is the ideal place to introduce kids to their first fishing experience, with enough fish to ensure they really get hooked! When they get tired of dangling a line, there are great sandy beaches to play on.

Wallaroo, Moonta Bay, Pt Hughes, Pt Rickaby, Pt Victoria and Point Turton on the west coast all have safe jetties, and work well with tommies, garfish and mullet. Superb sunsets ate the end of the day are an added bonus.

On the east coast, Ardrossan, Pt Julia, Pt Vincent, Stansbury, Wool Bay and Edithburgh also provide excellent jetty fishing. Watch out for the ‘Failie’ and ‘One and All’ which berth here on accasion. If fish are not plentiful, try your hand with the blue swimmer crabs. It’s great fun.

During the mullet run in autumn, Marion Bay, Butlers Beach, Pondalowie and Gym Beach are popular spots for easy catches. But Yorke Peninsula is much, much more than fishing. There are excellent sites for most types of water sports including surfing, which attracts enthusiasts from around Australia.

In springtime, keen eyes can detect the tiny pink and blue orchids, and the green and burgundy spider orchids, which are prolific along the Browns Beach to Gym Beach walk.

Near Inneston you can discover the huge incubation mounds built by the mallee fowl, and if you are patient, see one scratching the leaf litter into place. In many parts of the peninsula, are numbers of jewel-blue wrens, tiny colourful finches and honey-eaters. Soaring on the ocean breeze along the clifftops, it is not uncommon to see a white sea eagle, kestral or osprey, while below, a pod of dolphins or a school of big salmon are often seen below.

Regardless of the season, the Peninsula has new experiences to surprise you, regardless of the season. And for those who simply want to enjoy an uncomplicated holiday, the peninsula is the perfect place. After a few days of R & R, you may then have the strength and ambition to watch the sun rise on the eastern coastline. It is well worth the effort!

A good network of roads makes touring easy. Accommodation ranges from caravan and camping parks, B&B’s, to motels and hotels, and quality restaurants abound.

Yorke Peninsula really is a ‘place for all seasons’. For more information, call the Yorke Peninsula Tourist Office on free call 1800 654 991 or visit their web site at www.yorkepeninsula.com.au

Yorke Peninsula Marketing Committee
Phone: 8821 2333
Address: PO Box 417, Kadina, 5554.