Yorke Peninsula Attractions
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The boot-shaped Yorke Peninsula to the west of Adelaide lies between Spencer Gulf in the west and Gulf St Vincent in the east. Around 1860 rich deposits of copper were found at Wallaroo, Moonta and Kadina and a mining boom developed, during which many Cornish miners came to the area. Mining was abandoned in the 1920s, and only a few ruins remain as reminders of past activity. This is now a grain-growing region.The east coast of the peninsula is particularly beautiful. There are safe bathing beaches on the west coast.
Innes National Park
90 sq.km.Innes National Park is a region of mallee and heath vegetation, salt lakes, marshland and sand dunes. This is a place for birdwatchers, with many protected species, including the rare western whipbird. There are good surfing beaches in Pondalowie Bay.
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Maitland, Australia
Maitland (pop. 1100) has an interesting National Trust museum, mainly devoted to the history of agriculture.
Port Victoria, Australia
In the days of the windjammers Port Victoria (pop. 250) was an important grain port. Its heyday is recalled in the Maritime Museum. Round the little settlement are a number of sheltered bathing beaches.
Minlaton, Australia
Minlaton (800) was the birthplace of the aviation pioneer Harry Butler, whose plane is displayed in the aviation museum which bears his name. Within easy reach of Minlaton are bathing beaches at Port Vincent (25km east), Bluff and Port Rickaby (20km west).
Yorketown, Australia
Yorketown (pop. 800), in an extensive grain-growing area, is the supply center for the south end of the peninsula (the heel and toe of the 'boot'). Round the town are a number of salt lakes, some of which have taken on a curious pink coloring. The rugged coastal scenery is highly impressive.In recent years, thanks to its proximity to Innes National Park, Yorketown has developed into a popular holiday resort.
Edithburgh, Australia
The little township of Edithburgh (pop. 450) is on the cliff-lined south coast of Yorke Peninsula. Thanks to its beautiful situation it is a popular tourist resort. From Edithburgh there are superb views of Gulf St Vincent and the Troubridge Shoals, a chain of tiny islands. There is an interesting local museum. The jetty dates from 1873. There are an idyllic rock swimming pool at the foot of the cliffs, a good bathing beach in Sultana Bay, to the south, and good diving grounds in the coastal waters, including the wreck of the Clan Ranald, which sank in 1934.
Ardrossan, Australia
The little port of Ardrossan (pop. 1000), situated on a low bluff above the sea, is the most important port for the shipment of grain (particularly wheat and barley) on the east coast of the Yorke Peninsula, with large silos for grain storage.There is an interesting museum of local history. The 'stump jump' plow (with a spring plowshare which could avoid large stones and other obstacles and made plowing easier) was invented here in the 19th C.
