5th Lap II - Yorke Peninsula (Dhilba-Guuranda-Innes National Park)

THE FIFTH LAP

Yorke Peninsula (Dhilba-Guuranda-Innes National Park)

Photo Album: York Peninsula Dhilba Gurranda-Innes National Park

Finally, I broke new ground and entered Yorke Peninsula, a place I had never visited despite passing by many times before.

Federation Park ( Gateway to Yorke Peninsula )

Last year, at this very junction, I had to turn back to Sydney due to reasons mentioned in an earlier post. Now, at the gateway to Yorke Peninsula, I found myself uncertain of my next destination. The simplest thing to do was head south, following the main highway along the coast.

Time is the best filter when faced with indecision.

Marion Bay was a name I’d heard many times, and many road signs pointed in that direction. Upon reaching the bright little town of Ardrossan, I obtained a more detailed map of Yorke Peninsula from the Visitor Information Center.

The weather forecast for the next few days was mostly cloudy but dry, with a window of sunny weather the following day. The answer was simple: head straight to Marion Bay and explore the southwestern tip of the peninsula, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park.

Yorke Peninsula is remarkably like a mini version of Italy's boot. At the southernmost tip lies Marion Bay and Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park.

The following morning, I started from Foul Bay towards the National Park on a scenic dirt road hugging the south coast. Foul Bay Beach wasn’t very interesting, covered with soft, brown dead seaweed. A little eerie to walk on.

Foul Bay beach covered with dead sea weeds

Meehan Lookout

Upon reaching the car park of Meehan Lookout, I initially thought it was just another lookout. Fortunately, something caught the corner of my eye, and it turned out to be a spectacular sight at least a kilometer away. Only aerials will do justice!

Marion Bay Village

After a quick glance at Marion Bay village, a sleepy place with a mix of holiday and retirement houses, decided its time to move on.

Not too far away, is the entrance to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park. I paid the entrance fees and got a detailed map of. It was an easy decision to drive along the main road to the furthest point, Browns Beach, and then slowly drift back to the entrance.

Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is a mouthful, presumably named to honor its Aboriginal heritage. Dhilba is the name of the Southern clan group of Narungga people, and Guuranda means southern land, or southern territory.

Within the park there are plenty of salt lakes to explore by foot....if time was available!

The weather was almost perfect—sunny and mild with a calm breeze. It was a day spent listening to the pounding waves, watching sea birds glide, and enjoying a relaxing drive, simply in 2wd mode.

The West Cape Lighthouse

Inneston Ghost Town

Walking through the Inneston Ghost Town, the remnants of a historic gypsum mining site from the early 1900s, was another interesting stop.

And then it was time to exit and find camp, but not before seeing the quaint little island of Chinamans Hat.

Sandi, with its size, attracted quite a bit of attention along the way. People came over to chit-chat and take a look, which was a good way to meet fellow travelers. Perhaps painting Sandi pink would lower its profile a bit!