Join us each month as we showcase our amazing national parks with our Park of the Month program.
Park of the Month is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of our special natural places and to find new ways to enjoy them.
Each month there will be variety of events for everyone to enjoy, many of them are free. You can learn more about a park direct from the park ranger, have an adventure and explore a park in a different way with activities such as rock climbing, kayaking and mountain biking, chill out in nature with yoga and forest bathing, hear about the cultural history and join in conservation efforts to protect and conserve national parks for future generations.
January – Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park and Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park
This month we’re celebrating Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park and Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park as our Park of the Month. We’re also celebrating the parks 50th anniversary and the proclamation of Innes National Park and the start of new chapter of co-management with the Narungga traditional owners. In recognition of this milestone, the park has been renamed to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park.
Located on the southernmost tip of Yorke Peninsula, Dhilba Guuranada-Innes National Park is a nature lover’s paradise and the perfect spot for your next getaway. The 3.5 hour drive from Adelaide will reward you with some of the best coastal scenery South Australia has to offer with dramatic cliffs, pounding surf beaches, pristine bays and rock pools, abundant wildlife and a rich cultural history just waiting to be explored. Whether you just wanting to chill out on the beach, take a stroll on one of the many trails, surf the waves, try your luck at fishing, camp under the stars or stay in an historic cottage, this park has it all!
Surrounding Dhilba Guuranada-Innes National Park, the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park takes in the deep waters of Investigator Strait and the rugged north coast of Kangaroo Island. The mixing of cold and warm waters in the marine park produces dynamic ecosystems and contributes to the rich marine life, with the park hosting many known spawning, nursery and feeding grounds, particularly for King George whiting.
This January, join us for one of our Park of the Month events to see why these parks are so special. Tickets are limited tickets, so book early so you don’t miss out!
Events and activities
Explore Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park – Self-guided itinerary
When: Any time
Cost: $11 vehicle entry fee applies to visit park
Spend the day exploring the wild coastline of Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park with its dramatic cliffs, historic shipwrecks and lighthouses, pristine bays, white sandy beaches and its abundant wildlife. Take some time to step back in time and visit the historic ghost town of Inneston, a once thriving mining town its buildings give an insight to a bygone era. Many of the old cottages and lodges have been restored and available for overnight stays. To help you get the most out of your visit to the spectacular park, with the help of our rangers, we’ve put together a fully day itinerary. Make sure you check it out before your next visit.
Ranger Guided Reef Ramble
When: Saturday 2 January, 9:00am – 11:00am and Saturday 30 January, 9:00am – 11:00am
Where: Meet at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park Visitor Information Centre
Cost: *FREE (Bookings essential)
Discover the amazing marine life of the intertidal zone within the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park.
Join our rangers for an informative talk and learn more about the Great Southern Reef, an area more diverse and unique then the Great Barrier Reef, and the importance of marine parks in protecting this area. Then travel to Pondalowie Bay to explore the vast array of marine flora and fauna that call this important ecosystem home.
Interactive Narungga Art Session
When: Friday 9 January, 10:00am – 11:30am
Where: Stenhouse Bay Hall
Cost: *FREE (Bookings essential)
Join well known Narungga artist Janet Milera in this interactive art session. Janet is a contemporary Aboriginal artist who works with acrylic. Her main artworks are traditional Aboriginal dot, animal and still life paintings. She is a self-taught artist with what started as a hobby now becoming her passion.
Yoga on the Beach
When: Saturday 9 January, 8:00am – 9:30am
Where: To be advised
Cost: *FREE (Bookings essential)
Come and experience a connection with nature while relaxing with yoga on one of Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park’s stunning beaches. Join local yoga instructor Traci Abraham from Well Grounded Yoga Minlaton for a truly memorable experience.
Boomerang painting
When: Saturday 9 January, 9:30am – 10:30am and 11:00am to 12:00pm
Where: Stenhouse Bay Hall
Cost: *FREE (Bookings essential)
Join one of our Narungga rangers for this fun and interactive children’s activity where you get the chance to paint your own boomerang. Use cultural themes and locally inspired art to paint your boomerang as you learn more about Narungga art and culture.
Ranger-guided tammar wallaby night walk
When: Saturday 9 January, 9:00pm – 10:30pm and Tuesday 12 January, 9:00pm – 10:30pm
Where: Inneston Historic Township
Cost: *FREE
Come and learn about, and see, the once locally extinct Tammar Wallaby. A shy, nocturnal creature with a now strong breeding population in the Park. Learn about their demise and then successful re-introduction to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park from our rangers.
Stenhouse Bay Lookout ranger-guided walk
When: Saturday 16 January, 10:00am – 11:30am and Saturday 23 January, 10:00am – 11:30am
Where: Stenhouse Bay Jetty Carpark
Cost: *FREE (Bookings essential)
Walk with our rangers along the beautiful Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park coastline of Stenhouse Bay. Along the way, rangers will share their knowledge of the park and the history related to gypsum mining from the Stenhouse Bay Jetty. Visit the Seamans Grave and take in the spectacular views from Narna (Rhinos) Head through to Chinamans Island and Cape Spencer.
*Whilst Park of the Month events are free, vehicle entry fees apply in Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park. Entry fees can be purchased online or though the Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park Visitor Information Centre (open 7 days, 10am – 3pm) or one of our sales agents.
Park of the month events may be cancelled in the event of severe weather or in the event of a Total Fire Ban day being declared for the Yorke Peninsula Fire Ban District. For information about fire danger ratings, visit the CFS website.
*Whilst Park of the Month events are free, vehicle entry fees apply in Lincoln National Park. Entry fees can be purchased online or though one of our sales agents.
Park of the month events will be cancelled in the event of severe weather or in the event of a Total Fire Ban day being declared for the Lower Eyre Peninsula Fire Ban District. For information about fire danger ratings, visit the CFS website.
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What's coming up in 2021
Events and activities for each month are not released until close to the month, check back on the website or on the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia Facebook page to keep in the loop.
We will be announcing our program for 2021 soon.
Host an event
We encourage community groups, schools, local business and tour operators to host engaging, fun and family-friendly events in parks as part of Park of the Month. Find out how you can host an event.
