The Best Things to do on the Yorke Peninsula

Regarded as one of South Australia’s most beautiful destinations, the Yorke Peninsula is a breathtaking stretch of land northwest of Adelaide, boasting nearly 700 km of pristine white sand coastline along the Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf. All the way to the tip of the peninsula, you’ll discover serene coastal towns, rolling hills, and charming accommodations—perfect for a relaxed escape. The region offers craft beer stops, scenic walking tours, and world-famous sandy beaches, inviting you to unwind and reconnect with nature.

Just 90 minutes from the city, it's an ideal getaway for family weekends, road trips with friends, or immersing yourself in its captivating landscapes. Our curated guide of things to do on the Yorke Peninsula will ensure your adventure begins in style!

Cycle around the region

Copper Trails Bike Hire is a charming biking experience service in the Yorke Peninsula, offering a range of bikes for personal hire, including modern E-bikes. It’s an excellent way to get active while exploring the region’s beauty.

As the infrastructure in the Copper Coast and Yorke Peninsula continues to grow, Copper Trails is developing small group tours to help visitors discover the area in an immersive, eco-friendly way. For those choosing to cycle, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to dive into the local food, culture, and stunning landscapes.

40 George Street, Moonta

Go on an Ocean Safari tour to see dolphins leap out of the water

Immerse yourself in the Yorke Peninsula's stunning natural beauty with the Marion Bay Ocean Safari. This scenic tour, operated by the expert team at Reef Encounters Fishing Charters, offers an exciting wildlife and marine life experience. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, you’ll enjoy panoramic views, vibrant wildlife, and fascinating marine life—making it one of the top things to do in the Yorke Peninsula.

Pondalowie Fisherman's Village, Inneston

Stand on the clifftops at Balgowan Beach

Balgowan is a small, sleepy town south of Moonta Bay, home to one of the Yorke Peninsula’s hidden gems—its stunning beach. A prime fishing spot, you can book a fishing charter right from the beach, a popular activity year-round. Alternatively, if you have your own boat, launch it at high tide. The cliffs at Balgowan Beach offer breathtaking views, making it the perfect spot to catch a sunrise or sunset you won’t soon forget.

Balgowan, Yorke Peninsula

Walk the Yorke and find the beauty below

If staying active is your vibe, then Walk the Yorke is your ultimate adventure, with nearly 500km of cycling and walking trails to explore. Pick your starting point, lace up your walking shoes, and get ready to rack up those steps while soaking in epic coastal views. By the end of the day, you’ll have earned that well-deserved glass of wine.

For a more laid-back stroll, the kids will love the unique Whyalla Jetty, famous for its circular design—an architectural marvel you won’t find anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere. Grab a brochure from the visitor centre, or just wander the jetty, spotting sea creatures as you soak up the sunshine.

Visit Moonta Bay Jetty

Another must-visit jetty on the Yorke Peninsula is Moonta Bay Jetty, a long ‘L’-shaped structure perfect for a leisurely stroll. It’s an ideal spot to watch a spectacular sunset or cast a line for a spot of fishing. You can also enjoy a swim in the enclosure off the side of the jetty. On the south side, the beach stretches all the way to Port Hughes, offering even more coastal beauty to explore.

Bay Road, Moonta Bay

Visit one of Australia's best beaches!

Flaherty Beach, located at the tip of the Yorke Peninsula, earned a spot in Tourism Australia's top four beaches in 2022, and it's easy to see why. With some of the whitest sand and clearest waters in Australia, you can wade through shallow, turquoise-blue waters, walking across endless sandbanks. It's a true star on the list of things to do on the Yorke Peninsula, beloved by locals, and a must-see for any beach lover.

But the beauty doesn’t stop there. Explore Ethel Beach, with its rugged cliffs and shipwreck history, or Shell Beach, where climbing the dunes rewards you with stunning views of Browns Beach. Plus, don’t miss Dolphin Bay, Pondalowie Bay, and the picturesque Cap Clairout by the Corny Point Lighthouse.

The Yorke Peninsula is a beach lover’s paradise, where a swim or beach walk is essential for your summer adventure.

Settle in for an afternoon tasting session

No trip to the Yorke Peninsula is complete without a stop at one of its fantastic wineries, breweries, or distilleries. Barley Stacks Wine is a must-visit, offering daily tastings, delicious pizzas, and cheese platters at its cellar door—perfect for a relaxed afternoon with a glass of Shiraz or Chardonnay. For those who prefer spirits, head to Sunny Hill Distillery for smooth vodka, rum, and whiskey, paired with creative cocktails in a laid-back setting.

Wastacowie Brewery, the first microbrewery on the peninsula, serves up refreshing in-house craft beers, often with a food truck on weekends and dog-friendly seating; while Wallaroo's The Bond Store blends a restaurant, microbrewery, and distillery in one. 

Experience the striking beauty of Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park

There’s nothing quite like spending time in nature to rejuvenate the soul, and Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is one of the Yorke Peninsula’s best spots for it. This stunning park offers a peaceful retreat, perfect for outdoor activities like camping, fishing, hiking, and surfing. Explore its lighthouses, swim in picturesque beaches, and gaze at the azure waters of Lake Inneston. Don't miss wandering through the historic Inneston township, or, for the adventurous, diving into the waters to discover 20 shipwrecks off the coast.

Sitchu Tip: For something truly special, head to Shell Beach, where crystal-clear waters and vibrant rock pools await. Though the rocky terrain can make the journey a bit challenging, the stunning biodiversity and beauty of the area are worth the effort. 

Open daily, with an entry fee of $13.50 per vehicle

Bring the kids along for some family fun 

With its endless amounts of sea, sand and surf, the Yorke Peninsula is a playground the whole family can enjoy, with so much for kids to see and do. While the beach is a natural winner when it comes to spending the day out with little ones, there's so much more on offer in this charmed region. 

During the summer months, Splash Town at Moonta Bay becomes the ultimate hangout—a vibrant water park by the ocean, offering a seriously fun way to cool off. Whether you're zooming down slides or splashing around in the pools, it's a total blast for the whole family. For a more laid-back adventure, you can challenge your crew to a round of mini golf at the Copper Coast's 18-hole course. Or, hop aboard The Moonta Mines Tourist Railway for a nostalgic ride through the scenic landscape—making it a perfect day out.

Don't forget to make a splash at Edithburgh Tidal Pool

If the kids love the ocean but are perhaps a little scared of what creatures may be sharing the water with them, or aren’t yet strong swimmers, the Edithburgh Tidal Pool is another obvious winner for things to do on the Yorke Peninsula. The only tidal pool in South Australia, the area is complete with toilets, lawn area, and BBQ facilities. 

7 O'Halloran Parade, Edithburgh

Stay in some seriously luxurious accommodation

Whether you're into glamping or prefer a stylish, comfortable retreat, the Yorke Peninsula offers the perfect escape. Love and Mutiny, a charming 1950s beach house, features vibrant interiors by Read and Hall and offers stunning 360-degree views of the unspoilt beachfront.

For those who love the idea of glamping, Bayside Glamping provides queen-sized beds, fairy lights, and an off-the-grid experience with a nearby solar-powered cabin.

If you’re after something luxurious, Yondah Beach House offers a private beach, breathtaking views of Kangaroo Island, and a clifftop position perfect for spotting whales and dolphins.

Visit the Pink Lakes region

Just under two hours from Adelaide, Lake Bumbunga on the Yorke Peninsula is a real showstopper with its bubblegum pink shores – a backdrop that even Barbie would approve of! This stunning lake, in Lochiel, transforms in hue throughout the year, shifting from pink to white to blue, depending on the water’s salinity. The vibrant colours draw everyone from photographers to fashion brands chasing that perfect shot.

Nearby, the Yorke Peninsula Salt Lake Trail takes you through over 200 salt lakes, each flaunting its own unique colour palette—think purples, blues, oranges, whites, and, of course, more stunning pinks. Follow the trail for jaw-dropping views and photo ops on one of the coolest adventures in the region!

Tee-off with a round of golf

Golf may not be for everyone, but with plenty of courses to choose from, it’s one of the most popular activities on the Yorke Peninsula—especially when the sun's out. For a casual round, try Port Broughton or Edithburgh Golf Club. But for a truly memorable experience, the Copperclub at the Dunes in Port Hughes is hard to beat.

Recognised as one of the best golf courses in South Australia, the Copperclub is a Greg Norman-designed gem, offering stunning coastal views and a pristine setting. After your round, head to The Deck for a refreshing drink and meal while you take in the views of Cape Elizabeth.

Join a fishing charter, or farm for fresh oysters

The Yorke Peninsula is a seafood lover’s paradise, with fresh catches right off the boat. For an authentic experience, head to Pacific Estate Oysters in Stansbury, where you can become a ‘Deckie for a Day’. Learn how oysters are farmed sustainably, and enjoy the unbeatable taste of freshly harvested oysters straight from the water. Stay dry aboard or wade into the shallows to harvest your own.

If you're more into fishing than oysters, join Reef Encounters Fishing Charter at Pondalowie Bay. With expert guidance, you’ll reel in snapper, kingfish, flathead, and even gummy sharks. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy a day on the water and catch your dinner in style.

The Yorke Peninsula is one of the most picturesque regions of South Australia to explore, but the beauty in this state doesn’t stop here. Why not discover some of the best winter holiday destinations in South Australia, or plan a getaway to the sublime Kangaroo Island?