Scuba dive to shipwrecks, climb fire towers, and surf the day away while camping near Marion Bay.
Marion Bay is a coastal town perched on the southern tip of Yorke Peninsula. It’s the gateway to Dhilba Guaranda-Innes National Park, which is teeming with incredible scenery, water sports, and lush forest. The accommodations are just as varied as the activities—tents and caravanners are welcome, and there are several lodges that offer more creature comforts. Daly Head National Surfing Reserve and campground area are close by in addition to Warrenben Conservation Park. While there’s no camping in the park, it’s the perfect place for a day trip to explore the bush trails while looking for plenty of birds and reptiles.
Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park
An outdoor playground situated on Marion Bay’s doorstep, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park awaits mere minutes away. There are several campgrounds to choose from for tents, camper trailers, and caravans. Most feature amenities like long-drop toilets and BBQ areas. Campers also have the option to stay in one of the many lodges that offer fully-equipped kitchens, multiple bedrooms, gas stoves, and full bathrooms. Or, opt for a unique stay in a stone cottage shepherd’s hut. The incredible surfing, white sand beaches, bushwalking, fishing, and scuba diving are worth staying for a few days. Plus, scuba explorers won’t want to miss the 22 shipwrecks nestled just off the coast.
Daly Head National Surfing Reserve
The first National Surfing Reserve of Australia, Daly Head packs a punch with scenic beaches and serious swells. It's roughly 30 minutes from Marion Bay, and the on-site campground has epic views of the turquoise-tinged water in Blue Bay. It’s a spacious area with room for caravans, but larger motorhomes may have trouble making the tight corners on the way in. Drop toilets are available, but that’s as far as amenities go. Besides surfing, the reserve is a hotspot for fishing and beachcombing.
Warrenben Conservation Park
Inland from Marion Bay, Warrenben Conservation Park delivers picturesque walking trails and a large natural habitat for numerous bird species. Pack binoculars to look for feathered friends while enjoying the native flora and fauna. Conquer the 9-kilometre Warren Tower Hike that leads to a fire lookout tower with incredible views of the area. There isn’t any camping within the park, but it’s set only 15 minutes from Marion Bay, so camping accommodations are well within reach to make a day visit.
Marion Bay has a warm and temperate climate, with cloudy skies in winter along with a decent amount of rain. In summer, the warmest months are December and January, making them the best picks for swimming, surfing, and reeling in mulloway fish from the waters of Daly Head. Salmon take over the area in winter and spring, so no matter the season, anglers can look forward to casting rods year-round. Winter and spring are also the best time to view native plants like fungi, ferns, and orchids in Warrenben Conservation Park.