White-bellied Emu (JT)

R: L: Sea Eagle (DEWNR)

Cuttlebones (JT) Golden Whistler () Whistler Golden L: R:

Rosenberg’s Rosenberg’s Cockies Tongue (JT) R: Heath Goanna (JT) L: 40 THINGS TO DO IN INNES NATIONAL PARK

Spectacular coastal landscapes with rugged cliffs and sandy beaches provide the backdrop of Innes National Park. The park comprises 9,415 hectares of coastal vegetation, contributing to one of the few large areas of significant vegetation on the . Tammar Wallaby (JT) Wallaby Tammar Hooded Plovers (JT) Hooded Plovers The people have lived on Yorke Peninsula for Innes National Park is a popular camping destination for L: R: many thousands of years and know the land intimately many South Australian families, surfers and field naturalists – its physical features, animal and plant life and water with seven camping grounds spread across the Park and resources. The Park is home to Kangaroos, the once six heritage accommodation houses at Inneston offering a 1 Keep wildlife wild: We must never feed wildlife (or 4 Be careful on the roads: There is plenty of locally extinct Tammar Wallaby, Emus, Malleefowl, Pygmy peaceful experience immersed in the Park’s wilderness, it leave food scraps) as it can be unhealthy and impact active wildlife particularly at night so drive slowly Possums, Hooded Plovers, and a whole host of unique offers something for everyone. their natural behavior. Always keep a safe distance so and carefully. marine life that fall within the Southern Marine Park. Fees collected are used for conservation and to maintain you don’t frighten them and leave your pets at home. 5 Be prepared: Restrictions apply throughout the year and improve park facilities for your ongoing enjoyment. 2 Leave things as you found them: If you discover ant for wood fires and gas fires, it is important to get For campsite bookings, maps and other Park information mounds, Mallee fowl mounds, decaying logs or bark up-to-date information online before you go. Gas fires see environment.sa.gov.au/parks hanging off trees they all provide important habitat only from 1st November – 30th April. and should be left undisturbed. Firewood needs to The Park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may be be brought in and never taken from the Park as it is closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger and Severe Weather. important habitat. looking after the park 3 Leave nothing but footprints: Always take your This resource is part of the Park of the Month, an initiative run in partnership park profile rubbish with you or pack a litter-free lunch. Stick to between Nature Play SA and the Department of Environment, Water and Name: Innes National Park. Number of native plants and animals: Over 450 Natural Resources. Photos by Jason Tyndall (JT) and the Department of designated pathways to prevent damage to plants species of plants and 140 species birds. and natural, cultural and geological features. Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR). First established: 1970. Size: 9415 hectares. Some threatened and endangered plants and animals: Osprey and White-bellied Sea Eagle, Tammar Wallaby, Location: Southern Yorke Peninsula approximately Western Whipbird, Rosenberg’s Heath Goanna, PROUDLY 260 km (3 hours) west of Adelaide. SUPPORTED BY Mallee fowl, Western Pygmy Possum. natureplaysa.org.au AUTUMN WINTER SPRING SUMMER

Autumn in the park sees the start of cooler days, calm Winter in the Park sees stories being told around warm campfires, Spring in the Park sees wildflowers, reptiles, emu chicks Summer in the Park is hot and dry but there are still things conditions, rain begin to fall and sea treasure washed ashore, toasted marshmallows and hot cups of tea. and kangaroos galore. to do and places to discover. with new life emerging from bare soil and rugged cliff tops it is The landscape softens with new life emerging from winter rains With sunny days and early mornings perfect for Like early morning beach adventures with shorebirds to see an ideal time to discover something you’ve never seen before. and storms rolling in across the sea. adventure and an ideal time to explore. and natural treasures to uncover.

Watch as surfers catch the ocean swells at On a stormy day head to Ethel Beach Lookout Head along any of the Parks roads or walking Walk north along Shell Beach and find the a and Chinaman’s Hat surf a and watch the wintery weather roll in over the a trails and discover the floral beauty of the a Blue Pool at the rocks, jump in and have a breaks and keep an eye out for the majestic mighty Southern Ocean and feel the power of Park as all the native plants begin to flower swim White-bellied Sea Eagle. the wind as it rushes up the cliff face. such as Cockies Tongue (Templetonia retusa) Old Man’s Beard (Clemantis microphylla), Take a walk along Grouper Bay Beach where When conditions are warm and calm try Enjoy the warmth of a campfire and make your b you will discover West Bay Beach with Common Fringe Myrtle (Calytrix tetragonia), b your hand at fishing for mullet at any of the b own damper on a stick using a mixture of flour, stunning scenery of West Cape cliffs. Coast Beard Heath (Leucopogon parviflorus) Parks beaches such as Chinaman’s Hat, water and salt. Pondalowie Bay or Browns Beach. As you drive or walk in the park watch for Go for a late evening walk around the Find a beach to walk along after a storm and c historic Inneston village and see if you can b newly hatched emu chicks as they wander Explore the old mining town of Inneston c discover what beach treasure has washed up spot the elusive Tammar Wallaby at dusk around with their dad. Can you work out c and discover the oven in the old bakery such as sponges, shells, and cuttlebones. as it comes out to graze. why they are referred to as ‘stripies’? (still in operation). Keep an eye out for Take the West Cape Lighthouse Walk and signs of wildlife such as Kangaroo, Wallaby Choose a trail to explore and spot the Parks Watch the sun set from the Cape Spencer d discover the stainless steel light house. d Lighthouse Lookout. and Emu scats. c reptiles as they awaken from their winter hibernation. You may see Stumpy Lizards, On a clear dark night find somewhere around Try your luck fishing for squid (Southern Take a 360 degree panoramic photograph e Calamari) from the Stenhouse Bay Jetty. Blue-tongue Lizards, Bearded Dragons, e from the centre of the circular stone lookout d your campsite to watch the night sky. Spot Brown Snakes, and if you’re lucky maybe at the start of the West Cape Light House the Southern Cross, Milky Way, and if you’re Take a walk along the Thomson-Pfitzner Plaster Rosenberg’s Heath Goanna. Walking Trail. Read the interpretive 360 lucky, perhaps a shooting star. f Trail and learn about the history of gypsum Try and spot the resident pod of dolphins degree signage and identify locations, Take a walk out to either Cape Spencer mining at Inneston. While walking see how many d at play in the surf from the Pondalowie Bay points of interest and offshore islands. e or West Cape Lighthouses and count the different woodland bird species you can count surfer’s boardwalk. Islands you can see and you may spot such as Golden Whistler or the Scarlet Robin. Watch the surfers, explore the shoreline or If you’re lucky you may even spot the elusive f try your luck at fishing along Chinamans Hat shorebirds or Ospreys soaring high in Learn about the Narungga culture and the Mallee fowl. the wind thermals. e story of Ngarna at the Innes Visitor Centre. Beach. Try and spot a whale from any of the Parks After sunset walk out to the Cape Spencer Head to Cape Spencer Lighthouse Lookout Visit Ethel Beach and draw your name in big g coastal vantage points as they cruise past on g letters or create some art in the sand so you f Lighthouse and count how many other f and look west towards Reef Head and try to the journey to their winter calving grounds. lighthouses you see flashing in the distance. spot the blowhole in the cliffs. can see it when you get back to the top of the lookout. In late winter discover the exposed wrecks of Take a walk along the beautiful and deserted Take a hike along the Gym Beach Walking h the Ethel and Ferret that lay on the beach at Spend the day on the beach in the beautiful g West Cape Beach and look for sea treasure g Trail and see how many different species of Ethel Beach. Learn the history of these two h Pondalowie Bay, count shorebirds, build such as driftwood, sponges and cowrie shells. birds you see such as Variegated Fairywrens, vessels and walk among the skeletal remains White-browed Scrubwrens, or even the rare a giant sand castle and watch the fishing Get up early and watch the sunrise from the boats come and go. You may see birds Cast a line at the famous Browns Beach and Western Whip Bird. h Stenhouse Bay Jetty or the lookout above such as the Sooty or Pied Oyster Catcher, i see if you can catch an Australian Salmon Stenhouse Bay – early mornings are the ideal Explore the fascinating mining history of Hooded Plovers, and in the shallows keep during their annual winter run. time for bird watching. h the nearby Inneston with the restored ruins an eye out for the resident black stingrays of workers houses, General Store, a school as they patrol the shallows for food in Take advantage of the cooler calm days and Take a walk on the Stenhouse Bay Loop and j learn the story of the Seaman’s Grave and and the Bakery. the evening. i hike out along the walking discover what the Goofy Hut was, all the trail and photograph some of the stunning Look for Osprey as they hunt for fish while Visit Dolphin Bay and see if you can spot while taking in the stunning coastal scenery of scenery this vantage point offers of the coast i riding the updraft from the Cable Bay Cliffs. i why it got its name. north to Daly Heads in the distance. Trail Innes National Park and the Southern Spencer begins at carpark on Dolphin Bay Road. Gulf Marine Park. In early spring before the total fire ban starts, Go snorkeling at Chinamans Hat beach in j have a campfire and cook potatoes, fish or for j the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park In the late evening head to Jolly’s Beach to something sweet, some s’mores over the fire. Sanctuary Zone where you may encounter a j take a short stroll and spot mobs of Kangaroos variety of colorful reef fish such as wrasses, that gather in the late evening to graze. leather jackets, blue devils and, if you look Jolly’s Beach is accessed via the unsealed under ledges, you may even spot a Southern road east from the Innes Visitors Centre. Rock Lobster (it’s a Sanctuary Zone so look but don’t take).