Walking & Hiking
Coastal clifftops, the Walk the Yorke trail and bush tracks.
The best walking & hiking in Marion Bay
Lace up for the 500-kilometre Walk the Yorke trail that rings the entire peninsula, or take shorter clifftop and dune walks through Innes National Park where you might spot emus, kangaroos and the occasional pod of dolphins offshore.
Yorke Peninsula is laced with walking trails that hug dramatic coastline and trace its mining history. The signature experience is Walk the Yorke, a 500-kilometre shared trail that loops almost the entire peninsula coast, broken into manageable day sections for walkers and cyclists of all abilities.
The most spectacular hiking is found in Innes National Park, where trails lead to clifftop lookouts over the Ethel shipwreck, the historic West Cape Lighthouse and the rugged headland of Royston Head. Shorter heritage walks wind through the ruins of the Inneston gypsum township and the old Moonta mines.
From gentle foreshore strolls to challenging coastal hikes, the peninsula's walking and hiking trails reward you with sweeping ocean views, wildflowers in spring and frequent wildlife encounters. Carry plenty of water, wear sturdy shoes and check trail conditions, especially on exposed clifftop sections where the Southern Ocean weather can change quickly.
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Walking & Hiking in Yorke Peninsula - frequently asked questions
What is Yorke Peninsula best known for when it comes to walking and hiking?
The signature experience is Walk the Yorke, a roughly 500-kilometre shared trail that loops almost the entire peninsula coastline, taking in limestone clifftops, sandy beaches, scrubland and historic towns. The other highlight is the rugged southern tip at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, where clifftop and dune walks deliver dramatic coastal scenery and frequent sightings of emus, kangaroos and offshore dolphins.
Do I have to walk all 500 kilometres of Walk the Yorke at once?
No - the trail is deliberately broken into ten manageable map sections so you can tackle it as short day walks or a multi-day adventure, on foot or by bike. The trail itself is free to use, and walking times are based on an average pace of 4 kilometres per hour, so you can pick sections to suit your fitness and the time you have.
What are the best walks in Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park?
Popular short walks include the clifftop track out to Cape Spencer and its lighthouse, the historic Inneston township loop through a former gypsum-mining ghost town, and the longer Thomson-Pfitzner Plaster Trail that follows the old plaster railway line between Inneston and Stenhouse Bay. There is a real range here, from 30-minute strolls around Pondalowie Bay to longer dune treks and clifftop lookouts at spots like Royston Head.
Do I need to pay or book to visit Innes National Park, and can I bring my dog?
Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park normally charges a vehicle entry fee that you book and pay online before you visit, and camping must also be booked online in advance. Dogs are not permitted anywhere in the park, although registered assistance dogs are welcome, so plan a different coastal walk if you are travelling with a pet.
When is the best time of year to go walking on Yorke Peninsula?
Spring and autumn are ideal, with mild, dry days, uncrowded coastal trails and wildflowers dotting the scrubland in Innes National Park around spring. Summer walking is not recommended on the longer sections of Walk the Yorke because of extreme heat and fire risk, so carry 2 to 3 litres of water, watch the forecast, and remember mobile coverage can be unreliable on exposed coastal stretches.