Walk the Yorke is a fabulous concept – 500 kilometres of continuous trail around the Yorke Peninsula coastline from Port Walkefield to Moonta. However, cycling Walk the Yorke can be variable, with some sections of the trail more suitable for riding than others.
So far, our favourite experience of cycling Walk the Yorke is between Port Moorowie and Edithburgh. With excellent sign-posting including clearly marked divergences for riders, it offers beautiful views, some challenging surfaces and plenty of variety.
The Yorke Peninsula is located west of Adelaide in South Australia with Gulf St Vincent on its eastern coastline and Spencer Gulf on the west.
Cycling Walk the Yorke – Port Moorowie to Edithburgh
With the Edithburgh Caravan Park as our base, we planned to ride the Walk the Yorke trail between Stansbury and Port Moorowie over two days.
To keep our car shuttling simple, we decided to start our first ride at Port Moorowie and cycle eastwards to Edithburgh.
Port Moorowie to Kemp Bay
Derek took this photo of us at Port Moorowie before we started riding.
Soon we were cycling the beautiful Port Moorowie coastal trail.
At McEachern’s Beach Road, we came to a stile, and a new section of track began.
It gradually became rougher.
Then, for a few short sections, we had to walk where the track became very sandy between shrubs. But for the most part, it was manageable and we all enjoyed this part of the ride.
We emerged on to Diamond Lake Road. Looking for a picnic spot, we took a short detour to the shelter at Kemp Bay.
What a beautiful beach!
We would have loved to take the time to explore this beach. However, with the day progressing and only nine kilometres of the full 36 kilometres done, we had to keep moving.
Kemp Bay to Wattle Point Campground
Returning to Diamond Lake Road, we continued for three kilometres before turning on to Clan Ranald Road. The Clan Ranald was a steamship that was wrecked just off the shore here in 1909.
This is a beautiful stretch of coastline,
although the road can be corrugated in places.
Troubridge Hill Lighthouse
A highlight of Clan Ranald Road is the Troubridge Hill Lighthouse.
After the lighthouse, there’s a lovely descent.
In a few more kilometres, Clan Ranald Road becomes Troubridge Point Road. Gradually, the 55 wind turbines of Wattle Point Wind Farm come into view.
At Goldsmith Beach Road, walkers continue along the beach while cyclists follow Heel Road. Stopping for a rest at Wattle Point Campground, we were entertained by the beautiful song and antics of a male Golden Whistler.
Wattle Point Campground to Edithburgh
After our meal break, we continued along Heel Road, with the wind turbines on our left.
At the end of Heel Road, the Walk the Yorke takes a sandy track between the windmills and the shore.
We had to walk in some places.
Unfortunately Rhonda took a tumble when veering around a shrub, but luckily she was unharmed.
Despite the difficulties, we must have enjoyed this four kilometre section as we did it again two days later when riding a loop through the wind farm!
From Sultana Point to Edithburgh, Walk the Yorke follows the Mosaic Walk. Nautically themed mosaics, created by locals, adorn rocks on the foreshore side of the coastal path.
Finally we arrived in Edithburgh and Derek joined us for a celebratory afternoon coffee at the Location Cafe.
Summary of Cycling Walk the Yorke from Port Moorowie to Edithburgh
We were impressed with the excellent signposting of this section of the trail. Although some stretches were challenging, we have never minded walking for a short way. The scenery was lovely – breathtaking in places, and the variety of track made for a very interesting ride.
All together we had cycled 36 kilometres and climbed 240 metres. Here is my Ride with GPS record of our ride:
Other sections of Walk the Yorke that we cycled are:
- Port Wakefield to Port Arthur (Map 1)
- Port Arthur to Port Clinton (Map 1)
- Port Clinton to Rogue’s Point (Ardrossan area) (Map2)
- Port Julia to Port Vincent (Map 3)
- Stansbury to Edithburgh (Map 4)
- Dunn Point to Point Turton (Map 7)
- Point Turton to Hardwicke Bay (Map 8)
- Port Rickaby to Hardwicke Bay (Map 8)
Frequently Asked Questions
The Walk the Yorke website gives an overall description of the trail, with details of Edithburgh to Port Moorowie from east to west. It is also worth checking the Walk the Yorke Trail Notes to get the most up-to-date information before your ride.
You can download a simplified version of the map from the Walk the Yorke website. However, I would recommend that you buy a more detailed topographical map (Map 4 of the Walk the Yorke series for Stansbury to Port Moorowie, $9.95 per map) from Cartographics or the Yorke Peninsula Council Offices in Maitland, Minlaton and Yorketown. You can also use the gpx file from the map above.
Top picture: Riding down to the picnic shelter at Kemp Bay
