20 THINGS
TO DISCOVER
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
Yorke Peninsula. The Narungga people have lived
on Yorke Peninsula for many thousands of years and
they know the land intimately – its physical features,
animal and plant life and water resources. The Park is
home to Kangaroos, the once locally extinct Tammar
Wallaby, Emus, Malleefowl, Pygmy Possums, Hooded
Plovers, and a whole host of unique marine life that
fall within the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park.
Fees collected are used for conservation and
to maintain and improve park facilities for your
ongoing enjoyment. For campsite bookings,
maps and other Park information see
environment.sa.gov.au/parks
1. Cape Spencer Lighthouse Walk
JT
A short 10 minute walk to the lighthouse at Cape Spencer leads to
stunning views across Investigator Strait to Kangaroo Island. View
Haystack and Seal Islands, and learn about the many shipwrecks
around Althorpe Island from the Maritime Heritage Trail signage.
Cape Spencer is the dividing line between the Gulf of St. Vincent and
Spencer Gulf. Stand in the middle of the lookout and you will have
one leg in each Gulf! Cape Spencer is accessed via the Cape Spencer
Road just after the Cable Bay campground.
2. Stenhouse Bay Lookout Walk
JT
This well-marked trail provides a glimpse into the mining history of the
site while guiding you through areas of significant coastal vegetation.
Look across Investigator Strait to Kangaroo Island, count how many ships
and boats you can see and find the ‘Sailors Grave’. The Jetty extends
into the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park and was built in 1913 for the
gypsum mining days with horse drawn wagons using it regularly.
4. Inneston Historic Walk
JT
This popular trail takes you back to the early 1900s and the gypsummining era. Interpretive signs tell the story of the close-knit
community of Inneston. Can you find the ‘Bakers Oven’ where 130
loaves of bread were baked per day in the 1920’s? This area may have
unstable ruins so take care.
Access: just inside the gate at the Inneston car park.
7. Ship Wreck
JT
Lying off the coast of the Innes National Park and within the Southern
Spencer Gulf Marine Park are the remains of around 40 shipwrecks.
The Investigator Strait Shipwreck Trail along the coast of Innes tells a
tale of tragedy, bravery and the final agonising moments before these
ships sank beneath the waves. Ethel Beach is one such place where
you can still see and walk amongst the remains of the shipwrecks
‘Ethel’ and ‘Ferret’ which lie buried amongst the sand.
Access: Via the main Park road. Take the turn off marked Ethel Beach.
5. Camp Grounds
JT
There are seven campgrounds throughout the Park. Experience
camping amongst coastal mallee, toast some marshmallows over a
campfire, wake to the carolling call of Currawongs, or listen to the surf
crash onto the beach. Visit environment.sa.gov.au/parks to book your
site and see when campfires are permitted.
Access: follow the signs to the Stenhouse Bay Jetty car park where
the walk begins.
8. Sleepy Lizard
JT
Watch for these lizards crossing the road or walking trails. In Spring
they come out of winter hibernation to find a sunny spot to soak up
the sun. Sleepy Lizards mate for life and unlike many other reptiles
that lay eggs, they give birth to large live young (equivalent of a
human giving birth to a 6 year old!). This lizard has other common
names such as Shingleback, Stump and the Two-headed Lizard (can
you have a guess why?).
AGREEMENT
When playing in nature I agree to:
1
Have fun
2
Get dirty
3
Learn something
4
Explore new places
5
Discover new things
6
Be kind to the plants and animals
7
Leave nothing but footprints
8
Come back to play again!
3. Dolphin Bay
JT
A beautiful-semi protected small bay with a white sandy beach. Great
location to fish, play in the sand, relax or go beach combing. How
many beach treasures can you find?
Access: Via the main Park road (Browns Beach Road) and take the turn
off marked Dolphin Bay.
6. Heritage Accommodation
JT
Inneston was once a thriving mining township from 1913 to 1930 – today
it’s a sleepy reminder of those bygone days. Dotted amongst the ruins
are several self-contained lodges restored back to their original charm
where you can spend the night. For more information and bookings go
to environment.sa.gov.au/parks
9. Tammar Wallaby
JT
Once extinct from lower Yorke Peninsula, the Tammar was
reintroduced to Innes in 2004 and now boasts an established and
healthy breeding population. This small nocturnal, shy wallaby is best
seen at dawn or dusk, in the vicinity of the Inneston Village. If you see
them, watch very quietly as they are scared easily (you may even see a
Joey or two).
13. Dolphins
10. White-bellied Sea Eagle
MD
Australia’s second largest bird of prey with a wingspan over 2 metres!
This large white and grey eagle can be seen gliding on air thermals with
broad upswept wings along the coastline. The mate for life and their
nests are made of sticks and can be up to 4 metres deep and 2.5 metres
wide! Sea Eagles are now considered vulnerable to extinction with the
off-shore islands of Innes, within the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park,
their main place of refuge.
The common dolphin is often seen close to shore along the Parks
coastline within the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park. Often seen
in large pods on the open surf beaches, feeding, playing and surfing
in the swells as they approach the shore. Ethel Beach, West Cape and
Pondalowie Bay are good places to watch. Count how many dolphins
you can see in a pod.
14. Pygmy Possums
11. Ospreys
LC
A common sight along the coastline of the Park within the Southern
Spencer Gulf Marine Park. Ospreys have a distinctive black strip
across their eyes and mate for life. Often seen from Chinaman’s Hat
through to Cable Bay, and in the Pondalowie Bay area. If you see one
watch it as is it hovers in the updraft of the low cliffs looking for an
easy fish to catch.
LC
16. Malleefowl
These quiet, shy, ground-dwelling birds are about the size of a
domestic chicken. If you are lucky you may see some wondering
around the Stenhouse Bay or Inneston areas. You may also encounter
their large nests (mounds) that can be 1 metre high and 4 metres
wide! The male adds or removes material to keep the nest at
a constant 33 degrees (he tests with his tongue!) If you see a
Malleefowl, do their feathers look camouflaged?
DEWNR
These tiny nocturnal possums weigh around 15 grams! Their head and
body measure less than 10cm! They have a long tail that helps with
stability when looking for food (nectar, pollen, seeds). If food is scarce
they may go into torpor (like hibernation) for many days where they roll
into a ball, hold onto their tails, and cover their eyes with their ears!
They maybe hard to spot, but at night listen carefully for noises in the
shrubs and tree canopies and keep your eyes peeled!
DEWNR (bird) & JT (nest)
17. Currawong
JT
19. Coastal Beard-heath
The coastal beard-heath (Leucopogon parviflorus) is a common native
shrub and grows throughout the Park. When in bloom it produces
masses of small white flowers which, in turn, become small white
edible fruit (native currants). The fruit is very popular with many bird
species. Count how many birds eat the fruit from this native plant.
Hint: a big flightless bird loves this fruit.
LC
The Currawong is wide spread throughout the Park. It is primarily black
in colour with a small patch of white on the wings and tip of its tail. An
intelligent and cheeky bird (don’t leave you lunch lying around or it will
soon be gone!) Once you learn the sound of their call – you may begin
to hear it across the Park.
20. Cockies Tongue/Flame Bush
JT
Cockies Tongue (Templetonia retusa) is widely spread throughout the
Park and is striking when in flower. Its covering of bright red flowers
has led to it being known locally as ‘flame bush’ and it’s easy to see
why! It is also known commonly as ‘cockies tongue’. Have a close look
at the flowers and see if you can see why?
Thanks to the passionate staff at Innes National Park for their contribution
to this poster. This Poster is part of the Park of the Month initiative driven by
Nature Play SA and supported by the Department for Environment Water and
Natural Resources. Photography: Jason Tyndall (JT), Lochie Cameron (LC),
Mark Davidson (MD) and DEWNR (Department for Environment Water and
Natural Resources)
12. Hooded Plover
LC
A small beach-nesting bird, often seen scurrying along the sand on
beaches throughout the Park. They have a distinctive black hood (head)
and throat with a red ring around their eyes. Their nests are difficult to
see, as they are only scrapes in the ground between the high tide line
and the sand dunes – so be careful where you walk! Pick up a Shorebirds
Identification booklet from the Park Natural Resource Centre (located at
the Park entrance) and see how many different shorebirds you can identify.
15. Emu
natureplaysa.org.au
JT
Australia’s largest, flightless native bird and featured on the National
Emblem. Emus are widespread and common throughout Innes.
Spring is the best time of the year to see the adults and their newly
hatched chicks wander around feeding, often within close proximity
to roads and day visitor areas. You may notice some unusual coneshaped deposits. They are emu scats which are cone-shaped and
found along the roads and paths. They are full of berries, insects, and
seeds. If you find some can you find any emus footprints nearby?
18. Western Grey Kangaroo
JT
The ‘other half’ of Australia’s National Emblem. The Western Grey
Kangaroo is quite common around campgrounds (but remember
don’t feed them). The best times to see them are at dawn or late
afternoon/dusk in open grassy areas. You may also see Kangaroo
scats. They are oval shaped measuring up to 2 cm and are shiny when
fresh and fade as they get older. If you do see a Kangaroo, watch from
a distance and you may be able to see a joey!
P R O U D LY S U P P O R T E D B Y