Overview
Explore South Australia's Yorke Peninsula on a 6-day campervan road trip from Adelaide to Wallaroo, with beaches, local produce, wine, wildlife and coastal scenery.
Trip Details
Distance: 285 km
Driving Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Collect your Apollo camper in Adelaide, stock up on groceries and coastal snacks, then head north-west towards the Yorke Peninsula. It’s an easy first day, with plenty of excuses to jump out, walk a jetty or pick up something fresh from the ocean.
Stops on the way
Ardrossan: Around 1 hr 45 min from Adelaide, this cliff-top town is known for its towering red clay cliffs and blue swimmer crabs when they’re in season. Drop into the jetty or lookouts for a first big coastal view.
Port Vincent: A sheltered seaside village that’s perfect for a leg stretch, a swim in calm water or a quick kayak if the weather’s settled.
Stansbury: Stronghold of fresh oysters – call into a local supplier or kiosk to grab a dozen for later. With luck, you might spot dolphins cruising just offshore.
Edithburgh: Take a dip in the tidal rock pool or wander the foreshore before pushing on towards the national park. From Edithburgh, continue to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park at the tip of the peninsula. Once you’ve checked in and set up camp, you can catch sunset over the Southern Ocean or simply enjoy the quiet.
Things to do
Call into the park visitor information (or check online in advance) to get the latest on walk conditions, surf safety and any closures.
Take a short walk to a nearby lookout or beach from your chosen campground and get a feel for just how wild this coastline is!
Where to stay
Camping must be pre-booked via Parks SA sites fill quickly on weekends and holidays.
Good options for campervans include:
Stenhouse Bay Campground
- 2WD accessible, 27 marked sites, long-drop toilets and BBQs, suitable for caravans, camper trailers and campervans.
Pondalowie Bay Campground
- near popular surf and fishing spots, suitable for vans and trailers, with basic facilities.
With the highway behind you, today is about slowing down and exploring the wonders of Dhilba Guuranda–Innes. Pick one to two areas and give them time; the best Innes days are the ones where you do less, but do it properly.
Things to do in Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park
Aboriginal cultural experience (if operating on your dates): Aboriginal Cultural Tours SA offers Narungga-led experiences that share stories and cultural insight into the landscapes you’re travelling through.
Short walks and lookouts: Parks SA notes walking options range from quick 30-minute strolls to longer treks, so you can match the day to your energy levels.
Beach time, safely: This coastline can be powerful. Treat swimming and rock ledges with respect and follow local signage.
Distance: Local driving only
Today is your big highlights day in the park. There’s an easy mix of short walks, history stops and wide-open coastal views.
Things to do
Cape Spencer Lighthouse: One of the most iconic viewpoints in the park, and a great way to understand why this coastline has a shipwreck history.
Ethel shipwreck: A must-see stop with beach walks nearby; perfect if you want a classic Innes afternoon to walk and wander.
Choose a walk that suits your day: Keep it simple with a couple of short loops, or commit to a longer trail if you’re feeling energetic (Parks SA notes there are trails up to four hours).
Wildlife spotting: Kangaroos, emus and birdlife are common, especially if you’re quietly moving through the bush tracks.
Where to stay
Alternative inside the park: If you want a different feel, consider a smaller pre-booked campground such as Cable Bay Beach Campground with powered and unpowered, long drop toilet, and suitable for campervans.
Distance: 7 km
Travel time: 7 min
Today is intentionally light. You’ll roll out of the park and into Marion Bay, which gives you a comfy base and an easy reset night with town facilities close by. With such a short drive, you can take your time, have breakfast, and leave camp at your own pace.
Things to do in Marion Bay
Marion Bay beach and jetty: Perfect for a gentle walk and a salt-air recharge.
If you feel like a night off cooking, the Marion Bay Tavern is a popular local pick for an easy meal.
Where to stay
Marion Bay Caravan Park: Powered sites, modern amenities, and a short walk to the beach, which is ideal if you want a comfortable night with all the practical campervan facilities.
Distance: 290 km
Driving Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Head back toward Adelaide, but make it a day that still feels like a holiday. Moonta is a great final stop for heritage, bakeries, and one more beach wander.
Stops on the way
Moonta Mines Museum: A great heritage stop that brings the peninsula’s copper mining story to life.
Moonta & Moonta Bay: Grab a Cornish pasty, then stretch your legs along the jetty or beach before the final run back to the city.
Things to do in Moonta
Beach and township wander: Moonta Bay is a lovely last coastal stop before you return to Adelaide.
Drop off your Apollo campervan once you return to Adelaide, or add an extra night in the city if you want to finish with restaurants and a final sleep-in.
FAQs and quick answers
What is there to do in Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park?
There's plenty to do, like camping, fishing, surfing and bushwalking, with trails ranging from 30-minute strolls to 4 hour treks, plus lighthouses, historic sites and the Ethel shipwreck.What is the prettiest place in South Australia?
It depends on what you love; coast, the outback, or the wine regions. For coastal scenery, Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park is consistently rated for some of the best coastal views in SA.Where to stay in Innes National Park?
Camping must be booked through Parks SA. Stenhouse Bay Campground is the most popular campervan-friendly base (27 allocated sites), and Pondalowie Caravan & Trailers Campground is another strong option for vans and trailers.How long does it take to drive from Adelaide to Lake Eyre?
Lake Eyre is a completely different trip from Yorke Peninsula. As a rough guide, South Australia’s tourism site notes William Creek is about an 11-hour drive from Adelaide, and Lake Eyre access often involves remote roads and planning.
Ready to plan your Coastal Way campervan road trip?
From Yorke Peninsula’s seafood towns and jetty walks to the cliffs, beaches and shipwreck stories of Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park, this five-day loop delivers a big coastal hit without feeling rushed.
Hire an Apollo campervan in Adelaide, pre-book your Parks SA campground in the national park, lock in Marion Bay Caravan Park for a comfortable night with powered sites, and then let the peninsula set the pace with short drives, salty air, and beaches you’ll want to stay at longer than planned.
