Distance: 29.2km (7 hours 20 minutes)

This section of the walk starts at the foreshore. Follow the existing town walks around the point, along the back beach and head south away from the town. Have a look at the historic interpretive signage and information about flora and fauna along the trail.

As you walk, Kleins Point is visible in the distance. This limestone quarry is operated by Adelaide Brighton Cement, and if you are lucky you might see the Accolade 2 in port to ferry the limestone across to Birkenhead. At this point the trail moves away from the coast, heading inland to join the highway for a short distance before detouring towards Wool Bay.

This section can be broken down into 3 smaller walks. All trails are shared for walkers & cyclists:

Stansbury to Wool Bay 14km (3 hours 39 minutes)
Wool Bay to Hickeys Point 5.5km (1 hour 23 minutes)
Hickeys Point to Edithburgh 9.4km (2 hours 18 minutes)

Wool Bay was named because it had a cutting wide enough to roll a bale of wool down to beach, before it was loaded onto a ship bound for Port Adelaide. It is also well known for the remains of its iconic lime kiln, which can still be seen on the cliffs above the town jetty.

As you depart Wool Bay, heading south towards Coobowie, you will see the large silos of Port Giles. This deep sea port is used for transporting grains all over the world. Spring & summer time means harvest with lots of grain truck bringing their loads to Port Giles, so be careful walking or cycling.

There is a shelter with seating and a small water tank located at Hickey's Point, between Port Giles and Coobowie.

The early explorers found Coobowie an attractive area. In fact early explorers presumed that there must be fresh water available, because the area around the bay was so beautiful. After travelling some distance inland and finding none, they grumpily named the beautiful spot Deception Bay.

Now known as the 'Pelican Port', the Coobowie estuary is home to a fascinating array of birdlife.

Nestled here is a wonderful bird hide where you can watch our feathered friends go about their business. The bird hide has been built by the Coobowie Progress Association, and offers views of birds feeding on the low water line in the Estuary. Bird identification brochures are available at the Caravan Park. Interpretive signage has been placed in the area to assist visitors and seating provides rest stops so you can take in the magnificent views.

Follow the trail as it winds its way along the coastline towards Edithburgh, where you'll come to the golf course on the coastal side and the Edithburgh Cemetery on the other.

A stroll through the cemetery testifies to the trials and hardships that beset early pioneers and the mariners who settled and worked this part of the coast. One notable wreck was the Clan Ranald which, fully loaded with bagged wheat and flour destined for London, was wrecked off Troubridge Hill and sank on the night of 31 January 1909 with the loss of 40 men. It remains one of South Australia's most tragic shipwrecks. Learn more at the Edithburgh National Trust Museum, and see the anchor of the Clan Ranald in the main street.

Perched on a cliff top, Edithburgh is noted for its magnificent seascapes which include steep rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. With nearly 200 hundred salt lakes in the Edithburgh area, the town was once a major salt provider to South Australia. Before the establishment of the salt industry at Edithburgh in 1891, many of the lakes were harvested by the local farming community. The Edithburgh salt refinery closed its doors in the early 1960s.

If you feel like a swim, just north of the jetty is the Edithburgh Tidal Swimming Pool. This unique seawater swimming pool was built in the 1930's by a 'work for the dole' group, with local farmers donating labour & stone. Its sheltered waters are refreshed with each rising tide.
Take the time to follow the fabulous mosaic trail to Sultana Point which is lined with more than 40 nautical themed mosaic rock art works, and forms part of the Walk the Yorke Trail.

Troubridge Island with its distinctive red and white lighthouse can be seen offshore. This fragile sand island is an important breeding area for birds and is home to a large colony of little penguins, black-faced cormorants and crested terns. Access to the park is by permit only.

Edithburgh visitor information outlet can provide information on the local area, as well as maps and brochures. It is located in the Edithburgh Post Office.

Please refer to our Trail Notes for further information. 

Walk the Yorke is a linear trail covering approximately 500kms, and all distances mentioned are one way unless otherwise indicated.