Fan favourite park on show this January

Surrounded by the pristine waters of the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park at the tip of the Yorke Peninsula, the park is home to some of the state’s most incredible coastal scenery and is a haven for many nationally threatened native animals.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is kicking off 2025 by celebrating the stunning park as January Park of the Month. Summer is the perfect time to explore the park’s dramatic cliff faces, rich cultural history, diverse wildlife, protected bushland, tranquil bays and inviting rock pools.

Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park Senior Ranger Mark Davison has worked in the park for 14 years and is still in awe of the environment.

“Even today, the scenery still amazes me with its natural beauty and raw power,” he said.

“A great place to take this in is the Gulawulgawi Ngunda Nhagu-Cape Spencer Lookout, which provides a breathtaking 360-degree view of the surrounding coastline and bushland.

“You are unlikely to experience anything like it anywhere else.”

This is true also for the remnant native vegetation and threatened species – including malleefowl and brush-tailed bettongs - which call the park home. Visitors are asked to please drive slowly within the park to ensure these precious species are kept safe.

To celebrate Park of the Month, NPWS is running a program of events, most events are free to attend or have been significantly subsidised. Bookings are required, so make sure you get in early.

Events include:

• Guided snorkel tours of the Chinaman’s Hat Sanctuary Zone.
• Ranger-guided reef rambles at Pondalowie Bay inter-tidal reef.
• Movie screening of Sea Lions: Life By A Whisker at Stenhouse Bay Hall.
• Virtual reality experience of the animals of the Great Southern Reef.
• Ranger-guided night walks to search for tammar wallabies.
• Watercolour painting at sunset.
• Yoga on the beach.

While visiting the park these school holidays, you can also join in the fun of the Marna Banggara Adventure Quest and Camping by the Sea activity booklets.

Download the Marna Banggara Adventure Quest, where you can explore 5 key locations in the park and answer questions about brush-tailed bettongs to uncover a secret word and enter a draw for the chance to win a family pass to Adelaide Zoo.

The Camping by the Sea activity booklet is also available and includes a fun activity to make your own 3D campsite.

Both activities can also be collected from Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park Visitor Centre.

For more information and to book, visit: www.parks.sa.gov.au/park-of-the-month