Yorke Peninsula Road Trip: The ultimate 5-Day itinerary and travel guide
Last updated: September 2026
The best beaches, epic camping spots and exploring Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park in an unforgettable 5-day Yorke Peninsula Itinerary.
The Yorke Peninsula in South Australia is a slice of paradise, a great place to unplug, unwind, and spend some time by the sea. It’s a must-visit for surfers and beachgoers. It’s often overlooked by travellers heading straight for the Eyre Peninsula or Fleurieu Peninsula, but honestly, this place is a gem.
After exploring the Yorke Peninsula twice now, I can say that it’s one of the most underrated beach destinations in South Australia.
This page has two sections.
→ First, everything you need to plan your trip: getting there, how long you need, what it costs, when to go and where to stay.
→ Secondly, the 5-day itinerary, day by day.
Where is the Yorke Peninsula?
The Yorke Peninsula is the boot-shaped stretch of coast west of Adelaide, sitting between Spencer Gulf on one side and Gulf St Vincent on the other. It’s surrounded by ocean on three sides, which is exactly why it has so many good beaches. Around 500 kilometres of coastline for a region you can drive across in half an hour.
That geography matters for planning. The eastern Gulf Coast is calm and sheltered. The western coast gets the sunsets and the fishing. The southern coast gets the swell and the surf. Same peninsula, three completely different days out, and knowing which side you want to be on saves a lot of driving.
How to get to the Yorke Peninsula from Adelaide
There’s no ferry and no train. It’s a drive, and it’s an easy one.
Head north out of Adelaide on Highway A1 to Port Wakefield, roughly 95 kilometres and about an hour. From there, you turn onto the peninsula and pick your side.
Approximate drive times from Adelaide:
|
Destination |
Approx. distance |
Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
|
Ardrossan (east coast) |
150 km |
1h45 |
|
Moonta/Copper Coast (north west) |
165 km |
2 hrs |
|
Minlaton (centre) |
200 km |
2h30 |
|
Yorketown (south) |
230 km |
2h45 |
|
Marion Bay (far south) |
275 km |
3h10 |
|
Innes National Park |
284 |
3h15 |
→ You’ll see “just under two hours from Adelaide” a lot. That’s true for the top of the peninsula. Innes National Park, at the bottom, is closer to three and a half hours. So if the national park is the reason you’re going, know how long it takes.
Which way round should you drive?
- Clockwise: down the western side first, if the beaches, sunsets and bush camping are what you’re here for. That’s what our itinerary below does.
- Anticlockwise: down the eastern Gulf Coast through Ardrossan, Port Vincent, Stansbury and Edithburgh, if you’re looking for calm water, jetties and towns with pubs.
Either way, do the loop rather than backtracking. The peninsula is narrow enough that a circuit adds almost nothing to the distance.
How many days do you need on the Yorke Peninsula?
➤ If you only have one weekend, skip the loop and just do Innes National Park.
What does a Yorke Peninsula Road Trip coast?
It’s probably one of the cheapest coastal road trips in Australia. And that’s often the big part of the appeal.
|
Cost |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Council Bush Camping |
$20 per vehicle per night |
|
Innes National Park Camping |
From 27.50 per night |
|
Innes National Park Vehicle Entry |
$14.40 per vehicle |
|
Caravan Parks |
Roughly $35-$55 per night |
|
Inneston Heritage Cottages |
$76.50 to $210 per night |
|
Fine for camping without a permit |
$315.50 |
To put that in context: the 5-day Yorke Peninsula itinerary below is for four nights at council bush camps ($80), one night inside Innes National Park ($27.50) and the park entry fee ($14.40). That’s $121.90 in accommodation for the entire trip.
➤ There’s, unfortunately, no more free camping left. Booking systems need to be paid for in advance. If you’re planning on going camping here, check out our complete Camping in Yorke Peninsula guide.
When is the best time to visit the Yorke Peninsula?
Autumn (March to May)
Our pick. The water’s still warm enough to swim, the summer crowd has gone home, campsites are easy to get, and the walking in Innes National Park is far more pleasant than it is in January.
Summer (December to February)
Warmest water, the best swimming, but by far the busiest and windiest! Campgrounds book out weeks ahead, and it can get hot.
Spring (September to November)
Wildflowers through Innes, mild days, cool water. Very good for walking and photography, less so for swimming.
Winter (June to August)
Wild, windy and quiet, with big swell for surfing and a chance of whales off the southern coast. You’ll often have a whole beach to yourself.
Whenever you go, always check the Country Fire Service fire danger rating. Over summer, it changes daily. And check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast for wind, which matters more than temperature, especially when (beach) camping.
Where to stay on the Yorke Peninsula
You have three options here, and you can mix them all up.
Council Bush Camps
19 of them, $20 per vehicle per night, well located, all dog-friendly, all self-contained. This is the classic Yorke trip and it’s what our itinerary uses.
Innes National Park
Seven campgrounds from $27.50 per night, plus seven restored heritage cottages at Inneston from $76.50. No dogs allowed.
Caravan parks and towns
Marion Bay, Corny Point, Point Turton, Edithburg, Port Vincent, Stransbury and the Copper Coast towns all have caravan parks and holiday rentals. Worth one night in the middle of a longer trip for a long hot shower and a load of washing.
➤ For a full breakdown of camping spots, check out our Camping in Yorke Peninsula guide.
Can you drive on the beaches?
Some of them, and the rules are changing…
The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board is currently developing a ten-year Coastal Access Strategy that proposes closing some coastal tracks while formally keeping others open. Despite what you may have read, the board has made it plain there’s no plan to remove 4WDs from beaches in general. Read the signage where you park, drop your tyre pressures, check the tides, stay off the dunes, and use common sense.
The 5-Day Yorke Peninsula Itinerary
Here’s the loop we’d do again, running clockwise down the western coast. It’s built around bush camping, but every day has a caravan park alternative if that’s more your thing.
Day 1: Wauraltee Beach
Let’s start your adventure at one of our absolute favourite spots: Wauraltee Beach.
This iconic beach has it all. White sand, turquoise water and sunsets that will blow your mind. The road is unsealed, but easy enough for towing a caravan, and it’s 2WD accessible.
Spend the day fishing, swimming, or just read a book and soak up the sun. It’s the perfect slow start to your Yorke Peninsula trip.
Getting there: Take Wauraltee Beach Road. Do NOT follow Google Maps, which will try to send you down a rough, five-kilometre sand track.
Where to stay?
Wauraltee Bush Campground. $20 per vehicle per night on a Yorke Peninsula Council permit. It’s very basic, one drop toilet, no water, no bins, no power. Bring your own toilet paper. There are four separate camping areas an dit makes a real difference which one you end up in.
Nearest supplies and dump point: Minlaton, about 25 minutes away.
➤ Read our full guide to Wauraltee Beach with more detailed information.
Day 2: Flaherty’s Beach to Corny Point
Make your way south to Flaherty Beach, a 45-minute drive that brings you to one of the most picturesque spots in all of South Australia. The water here is so clear and shallow that it genuinely gives you Maldives vibes. If you have a 4WD, you can take it onto the beach (make sure you check the tide times first) and set up for the day.
Bring a floatie, SUP, or kayak and drift your way through the day. The scenery is just incredible, you don’t want to leave.
Lunch stop: On your way to Corny Point – a 35-minute drive – make sure you stop by Lower Yorke Seafood in Warooka. Their fish and chips are incredible, and they have some yummy local crayfish to feast on. I can honestly say this place is worth a stop.
Where to stay?
Corny Point Caravan park if you want facilities and power, or Gravel Bay Bush Campground at $20 per night.
➤ Read more about this incredible beach in our guide to the best beaches on the Yorke Peninsula.
Day 3: Berry Bay and Daly Head
It’s time to check out two absolute highlights: Berry Bay and Daly Head. It’s time to surf, swim and enjoy some incredible clifftop views.
Berry Bay is a large beach, split into north and south sides, both with stunning cliff views, soft white sand, and crystal-clear waters. The North side is great for surfing and a little swim. It’s also home to a playful pod of dolphins that are cruising up and down the beach. We’ve seen them every visit, which isn’t something we’d normally promise.
Daly Head National Surfing Reserve. It’s only a short drive away. It’s an excellent surf spot, but you don’t need to surf to make it worth the trip. The lookouts here are among the best on the peninsula.
Where to stay?
You can either stay another night at the caravan park in Corny Point, or sleep at Daly Head Campground for $20 per night (council-run), with wide, spacious sites and a drop toilet. It’s right at the surf reserve, which makes it a good base if you’re in a group.
Day 4: Innes National Park
Today is all about Dhilba Guuranda – Innes National Park. And it’s the day people remember. Emus crossing the road, rock pools, historic ruins, a shipwreck on the sand, two lighthouses and some of the best beaches in South Australia.
Book your vehicle entry permit online before you leave. It’s $14.40 per vehicle and there’s nowhere to pay at the gate. Fuel up at Marion Bay too; there’s no fuel inside the park.
Stop at the vistor centre at Stenhouse Bay and grab a park map. The park is best explored by car along the 26-kilometre sealed main road, with stops for lookouts, beaches and walks. You don’t need a 4WD, all of it is 2WD accessible.
Our tip: drive straight to the far end first and work your way back. Everyone else starts at the entrance, so going the other way gets you Cape Spencer and Dolphin Beach before the crowd arrives
Make sure you hop into the visitor centre and ask for a map of the National Park. This park is best explored by car, following the 26 kilometre road and enjoying some stops with scenic lookouts, beaches and walks to stretch the legs.
Where to stay:
One of the park’s seven campgrounds fron $27.50 per night, or a caravan park or accomodation in Marion Bay. Note that dogs are not permitted in the national park.
➤ Read our full Innes National Park Guide with more tips on things to do, campgrounds and a one-day itinerary.
Day 5: Pink Lakes Yorketown
Before heading back, make a little detour to see the Pink Lakes near Yorketown. And yes, some of them really are pink.
When the light is right, it’s a great spot to take the camera out. The colour varies depending on salt levels and time of year, but we noticed that you can always spot some different shades on a short drive around the area. Photo tip: visit in the late morning or early afternoon when the sun’s highest to bring out the pink tones.
The route to follow is the Yorke Peninsula Salt Lake Trail, a self-drive loop that starts at Weaners Flat Reserve on Stansbury Road in Yorketown. There are four colour-coded routes, including a full tour, a short drive and a dedicated Lake Fowler drive. Pick one to suit the time you have left.
It’s not just the lakes, either. The trail takes you past abandoned townships, old schools and cemeteries, and the remains of the salt and gypsum industries that built this part of the peninsula.
Head home from Yorketown via the eastern Gulf Coast, and if you have the time, stop at Edithburg, Stansbury, Port Vincent and Ardrossan. They’re all worth a stop, and it barely adds any distance.
The End of Your 5-Day Yorke Peninsula Itinerary
And just like that, five days on the Yorke Peninsula have flown by. An itinerary that’s packed with some salt therapy, sandy toes, beautiful sunsets and some of the best camping spots you’ll find in South Australia.
You can use this guide as an inspiration when planning your own trip, or follow each step for an unforgettable time at this underrated region of South Australia. Happy Travels!
Yorke Peninsula Map
We’ve pinned the whole itinerary above, plus all 19 council bush camps, the seven campgrounds inside Innes National Park, every beach in our beaches guide, the caravan parks, every fuel stop, dump point and supermarket on the peninsula.
Yorke Peninsula Road Trip FAQs
How many days do you need on the Yorke Peninsula?
Five days comfortably complete the full loop. Two days is enough for Innes National Park and one beach. Three days cover Innes plus the south-west coast. A week lets you add the Copper Coast and the towns of the eastern Gulf.
How far is the Yorke Peninsula from Adelaide?
The top of the peninsula at Ardrossan is about 150 km, roughly 1h45. Innes National Park at the southern tip is about 284 km, or 3h45.
What is the best time to visit the Yorke Peninsula?
Autumn, from March to May. The water is still warm, the crowds have gone, and campsites are easy to get. Summer is best for swimming but books out quickly, and it gets hot and windy.
Is the Yorke Peninsula worth visiting?
Yes. It has some of the best beaches in South Australia, excellent surfing and fishing, a national park at the southern tip, and camping at $20 per night. It’s quieter and cheaper than the Fleurieu and easier to reach than the Eyre.
Yorke Peninsula or Eyre Peninsula – Which is better?
Yorke is closer to Adelaide, easier to drive, cheaper to camp and better for a first trip or a shorter one. The Eyre is bigger, wilder, further away, and more for 4WD adventures.
Is there free camping on the Yorke Peninsula?
Not anymore… There are 19 council bush campgrounds that are low cost, $20 per vehicle per night.
Plan the rest of your trip
Our full Yorke Peninsula Guides:
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