General Trail Notes

The times indicated on this site and the topographical maps are estimates only.  They are based on an average walking speed of 4 km per hour. However, some sections may take longer due to the varying terrain, with an average walking speed as low as 2 km per hour. 

The terrain includes beach walks with soft sand, dune climbs, rock hopping and detours for cyclists.  Please base your walking/cycling times on your own fitness and ability. 

When walkers are directed inland from a beach section, the trail markers are positioned above the high tide mark to avoid damage from the sea. Please be aware and keep a look out for these markers. Check tide times before planning beach walking sections.

Maintenance 

Yorke Peninsula Council monitor the trail, but please report any maintenance issues (not mentioned in trail notes below) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Cyclists

For small sections, the cycle trail follows some of the main sealed highways. These are noted below according to maps.

At times of the year (mainly summer and autumn), some off-road sections can be soft and it may be easier to walk your bike. An alternative is to follow local unsealed roads - these alternative routes are not marked on the maps.

In certain sections, a metal access stile has been installed to prevent unauthorised off-road vehicle access. This is to protect the sensitive coastal environments from the degradation these vehicles cause. If cycling, you will need to lift your bike over the stile to continue your journey.

Trail Notes by Map Number

MAP 1 - Port Wakefield to Port Clinton

General - During wet weather, the trail can become water logged north of Port Wakefield.

Walkers - Walkers are advised to follow the railway line, from the bridge, until reconnecting with the Yorke Highway.

Cyclists - It is recommended after/before crossing the Wakefield River via bridge, follow the Copper Coast and Yorke Highways (via Annie Watt Road and Ketch Road) through to Port Arthur. 

MAP 2 - Port Clinton to Pine Point

General - Just north of James Well there is a section where the trail enters a deep and sandy gully. Both walkers and cyclists may find this section difficult. Council will investigate options to address the difficulties experienced here. An alternative route for cyclists (when travelling south from Ardrossan) is, when at Parara Road, to continue along Yorke Highway and enter the settlement of James Well via James Well Road.

A small section of trail, approximately 1.5km south of Rogues Point and 3.5km north of Pine Point across Crown Land, is yet to have a formed trail constructed. This section is planned for completion in the near future. 

South of Parara heading towards Pine Point there are two steep descents to be aware of when walking and cycling. Work to improve this section of the trail is expected to commence in 2025.   

Walkers - Walkers can choose to continue along the trail between these points (1.5km south of Rogues Point and 3.5km north of Pine Point) however when the formed trail ceases they will need to follow the fence line until the formed trail recommences. This unformed section is estimated to be 1.8km and does contain some gully crossings.

Cyclists - In order to complete the section, cyclists will need to divert to the Yorke Highway between Rogues Point and Pine Point. See picture maps here To avoid both this section and the sandy gully mentioned above, cyclists should divert to Yorke Highway between Parara Road (south of Ardrossan) and Pine Point.

MAP 3 - Pine Point to Stansbury

Cyclists - The cycling route follows the main sealed highway (St Vincent Highway) for small sections of the Trail. These included - between Point Point and Port Julia (approx. 9.5km), from Port Vincent to Devil Gully, south of Port Vincent (approx. 3.5km) and from Devil Gully to Beach Hut (approx. 2km).

MAP 4 - Stansbury to Port Moorowie

Cyclists - the cycling route follows the main sealed highway (St Vincent Highway) for small sections of the Trail. This occurs at the Hayward Park Road and St Vincent Highway intersection.

There is a sand track from Sultana Point, south of Edithburgh, to Wattle Point - a distance of approximately 600m which may need to be walked. The Trail opens to an old four-wheel drive track suitable for riding at the end of this sand section. An alternative route is to return to the southern end of Edithburgh and follow Hilsea Road and Wattle Point Road to Heel Road.

The stretch between Boothill Station Road and Port Moorowie may be soft for approximately 2kms (towards the eastern end). An alternative route is to follow Boothill Station Road, New Honiton Road and Mceacherns Beach Road.

MAP 5 - Port Moorowie to Marion Bay

Walkers - The marker directing walkers from the beach into Point Davenport Conservation Park is placed above the high tide mark, so please keep a look out. If you reach the estuary, you have gone too far and will need to retrace your steps.

Parts of the trail passing Hillocks Drive are beach walk. Please make sure you follow the yellow Walk the Yorke Trail markers, as Hillocks Drive is privately owned property.

MAP 6 - Marion Bay to Gleesons Landing

Walkers - There is a section of shared trail through Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, beginning from the Pondalowie Surf Break car park. This section of the track follows the gravel road through to Browns Beach and the start of the Gym Beach Hiking Trail (approx. 8 km).  Vehicle traffic is limited to 40km/h, but walkers should remain wary of the traffic, especially during busy periods. In some places the dense roadside vegetation can prevent walkers from getting quickly off the roadway. 

When walking from Gym Beach to Formby Bay (known to surfers as Baby Lizards), please look out for the marker indicating the climb up the sand dunes at the end of Gym Beach. If you come across a set of private access stairs, you have gone too far and will need to retrace your steps. The Trail remains atop of the sand dunes and headlands – the only beach walk is on Gym Beach. Whilst at times the other beaches may look appealing to walk on, they are not always accessible at both ends, and therefore are not the designated route. The markers on top of the sand dunes and headlands are to be used as a guide as there is no formed track (other than for a small section at Baby Lizards), so please pick your route carefully and do not tread on plants. Also please note, this strip of publicly-accessible Crown Land is narrow, so please take care not to enter private property.

The area between Formby Bay and Daly Heads (also known as the 'Dust Hole' and 'Baby Lizards') may have very soft and deep sands.

Cyclists - Browns Beach to Gym Beach may have some sandy parts though is reported as a good ride. An alternative route is to return to Marion Bay and follow the sealed Marion Bay Road, reconnecting with the Trail on this road. This would then require a diversion into Gym Beach following Gym Beach Road.

MAP 7 - Gleesons Landing to Point Turton

Walkers - Gleesons Landing to Swincers Rocks may have very soft and deep sands. High tide may also result in waves crashing high on the beach. It is recommended to time your walk with low tide.

Between Corny Point and The Pines there may be seaweed build up on the beach. As an alternative route, walkers may follow the marked inland cycling route.

Cyclists - Between Burners Beach and Point Turton, cyclists can follow the trail or the unsealed road. 

MAP 8 - Point Turton to Port Rickaby

General - between Point Turton and Port Rickaby the trail follows tracks adjacent to the sealed road. Then for a small section, between Flaherty's Beach and Hardwicke Bay, cyclists follow the sealed highway. Walkers follow the beach. The map indicates cyclists can divert to Flaherty's Beach for sight-seeing. However, whilst Flaherty's Beach is open to vehicles and at times may be compact enough for cycling, the designated cycling route is inland.

Walkers - Hardwicke Bay to Cockle Beach (in particular) is rocky and at times of the year there is a lot of seaweed build up. You may choose to time your walk with low tide, which exposes firmer sand.

From Cockle Beach to Parsons Beach the designated walking trail is inland however there is the option to walk the beach. If taking the beach route option, be aware that Watsons Beach may at times have soft sand and weed build up. Low tide exposes firmer sand.

Cyclists - Between Cockle Beach and Parsons Beach, the trail follows an old four-wheel drive track of sandy soil that may be soft. Within this section, for approximately 2kms north of Watsons Beach Road, the trail is known to become grassy before becoming a two-wheel drive dirt track. An alternative route is to follow Cockle Beach Road, Mount Terrible Road, and Parsons Beach Road.

At times the trail, from Barkers Rocks to Port Rickaby, becomes sandy with natural sand movement from the dunes. Cyclists who do not wish to undertake sand riding can follow Barkers Rocks Road, the sealed Rickaby Road and Croser Road.

MAP 9 - Port Rickaby to Balgowan

Walkers - The beach immediately north of Port Rickaby may have seaweed build up for a short section.

The inland trail, between Balgowan and Moonta Bay, might be slippery when wet. 

MAP 10 - Balgowan to Moonta Bay

Cyclists - Between The Gap and Moonta Bay, the cycling route has now been diverted inland (due to a number of factors - such as soft sand on tracks, vandalised markers, blind corners and vehicles. Cyclists now leave The Gap campground and follow Gap Road to the intersection with Nalyappa Road. Turn north and follow Nalyappa Road to the intersection with Coopers Beach Road, turning east. Continue to the intersection with Spencer Highway (a stretch of main sealed highway) and follow this into Moonta.