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innes national park is situated on the south-western-most
tip [ 'the toe' ] of the yorke peninsula, some three and a half hours drive
from adelaide it is, i am pleased to note, a fully-protected reserve - not least because it had already been extensively mined for gypsum prior to becoming a national park, and some salt lakes surrounded by the park are still excluded from it for this purpose like most SA parks the area was also used for grazing [sheep], and the impacts of this, and the history of mining, can still be seen across much of it, notably in the remnant mining townships of inneston and stenhouse bay that are situated within it it is, however, still a very beautiful and wild place overlooking some of the most volatile seas in the world - as the rugged cliffs and numerous wrecks that dot the region attest it is a very popular camping, fishing, snorkelling / scuba-diving, and surfing venue - especially given its proximity to adelaide. the park features some of the most highly developed camping areas in the state [ solar showers! flushing toilets! ] and several more low key sites - all with toilets - for those whose idea of 'getting away from it all' doesn't involve finding yourself right back in it again! the major road within the park has now been sealed as far as the series of larger camping areas centring on pondolowie bay - a beautiful, deeply-scalloped cove surrounded by a thick arc of white sand and one of the state's premiere surfing areas. those of us who can remember the old road - and its remarkable capacity to loosen virtually any load (and fillings!) via a pristine expanse of almost flawless wash-board corrugations - are in two minds about this new hyper-convenient, significantly less dusty, access minor tracks in reasonable condition allow access to the other features of the reserve rentable accomodation is also available in the grand old buildings of the former mining town of inneston, and in former shacks and shepherds huts that have been incorporated into the park limited provisions - and a pub - are available at stenhouse bay, with nearby marion bay [ just outside the park ] providing each on a somewhat more extensive scale, and further accomodation [and excellent retirement] options. but this is rural south australia and those needing to access major-centre facilities had best do so in adelaide before they leave, or try their luck at ardrossan, edithburg or moonta walking tracks within the park are not extensive - however, there are many miles of easily-traversed coastal heathland backing high [and dangerous!] limestone cliffs and the brooding swells of the deep-grey investigator strait and spencer gulf. and many more of sandy beaches tucked into secluded coves or sprawling between headlands. views across the investigator strait to kangaroo island and the nearby althorpe island conservation park [ think uluru at 1/3rd scale sticking out of the water ] are as grand as any coastal scenery the world has to offer SAFETY NOTE: outside of the major bays and more sheltered coves the area is genuinely dangerous to swimmers, and the waters are often best left to seals, dolphins, and the more experienced surfers those who love the drama of storm-wracked coasts interspersed with quiet bays would do well to head down to 'the toe' - a respite and playground in summer and stirringly byronesque when lashed by the sub-antarctic cold-fronts of winter |
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join the unknownsa mailing listby e-mailing bill doyle with
subject line 'join u[n]sa list' and receive updates on campaigns intended to preserve wilderness and wild places in south australia
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![cable bay shell - this is an 'actual size' section of the image at lower right - link to web image [126kb]](http://users.picknowl.com.au/~saigra/innes/cable_shell_a_wfi.jpg)
