Edithburgh, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.

Edithburgh is a coastal town on the eastern side of Yorke Peninsula and is a popular tourist destination. Just 233 km from Adelaide, Edithburgh has a population of around 450.

Understand

Once the third busiest port in South Australia, today Edithburgh is a popular tourist and fishing village, making it the perfect place for a family holiday.

There are nearly 200 hundred lakes, most of which are salt, in the Edithburgh area. It is no wonder that this town was once a major salt provider to South Australia.

Tourist information

• Yorke Peninsula Visitor Information, toll-free: 1800 202 445, tourism@harvestcorner.com.au. The nearest official tourism information centre is in Minlaton 
• Tourism website

Get in

• Edithburgh is a 3-hour drive from Adelaide. Many people stop at Port Wakefield for fuel and snacks on the way there.
• There is a bus run by YP Coaches.
• If you are game you could take a boat across the Gulf St Vincent. You'll need a pretty good boat and all of the proper safety gear.

See

• Clan Ranald Mass Grave. At Edithburgh Cemetery you'll find what is believed to be the largest mass grave in Australia. When the turret steamer Clan Ranald was shipwrecked near Edithburgh in 1909, 40 of the 64 men on board lost their lives. The bodies of 5 British officers and 31 Lascar (Filipino & Indian) seamen were recovered and buried at the Edithburgh Cemetery. The 31 Lascar seamen were buried in one large grave which was previously marked as ‘names unknown’ until the 100th anniversary when a plaque was unveiled listed the name of each seaman. The grave of the Lascar seaman is believed to be the largest mass grave in Australia.
• Wattle Point Wind Farm. The skyline of Yorke Peninsula has been changed since April 2005, with the addition of 55 large wind turbines near Edithburgh. These magnificent machines cover an area of 17.5² km, harvesting the natural resource of the winds that buffet the southern coastline of Yorke Peninsula.
• 1 Edithburgh Museum, 7 Edith Street, ☏ +61 8 8852 6273, edithburghmuseum@iinet.net.au. Sa Su 2–4PM, other times by appointment.. Adults $3; children 50 cents; group discounts apply. 

Do

• Sultana Point. A swimming beach is located along the coast to the south of the town. Follow the road past the Fishermans Jetty and along the coast. When you come to a 'T' junction, turn right and follow the road to the end. White sandy beaches and cool Southern ocean water will greet you. If you follow the beach it will take you to Wattle Point and the seaward side of the nearby windfarm. 
• Edithburgh Tidal Pool. Edithburgh has a swimming pool set into the low beach cliff line toward the northern end of the town. Change rooms and public toilets are available at the site. The pool is formed up as a sea-water pool and is effected by tide and weather conditions. The water of the seaward edge of the pool is also a nice place to swim or go snorkelling. 

• The Edithburgh Mosaic Walking Trail, Walking trail from Edithburgh to Sultana Point. all hours. free. 
• Fishing. Edithburgh is very popular for recreational fishing and has a well developed boat ramp facility toward the southern end of the township.

• Fishing charters can be organised from local operators based in Edithburgh.

• Scuba diving and snorkelling

• Edithburgh Jetty is a popular venue for scuba diving and snorkelling

• Shipwrecks. The Investigator Strait Shipwreck Trail which begins at Edithburgh and finishes at Cape Spencer in Innes National Park, highlights 10 of the 26 shipwrecks dating from 1849 to 1982. The Yorke Peninsula Historic Shipwrecks brochure provides information about each wreck and its location. Divers can purchase a waterproof guide entitled 'Investigator Strait Maritime Heritage Trail' if they wish to explore the shipwrecks. Diving charters can be organised from local operators based in Edithburgh and operators based in Adelaide. The wreck sites usually accessed from Edithburgh are S.S. Clan Ranald and the S.S. Marion.

• Troubridge Island Lighthouse and Conservation park (by boat from Edithburgh). The second lighthouse to be built in South Australia, Troubridge Island lighthouse was completed in 1855 and was the first Australian lighthouse to be built of cast iron. After the ship 'Marion' was wrecked on what is now known as Marion Reef, the Government investigated, building a lighthouse on Troubridge Island. The islands 'keepers' cottage is available for short term holiday accommodation. Permits for access to the park are available from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Yorke District at Innes National Park, ☏ +61 8 8854 3200; or Troubridge Island Charters ☏ +61 8 8852 6290. 

Eat

• 1 The Location Cafe, 15 Edith Street, ☏ +61 8 8852 6023. 
• 2 Edithburgh Newsagency & Delicatessen, 32 Blanche St, ☏ +61 8 8852 6230. 
• 3 Edithburgh Hotel, 16 Edith St, ☏ +61 8 8852 6011, edithburghhotel7@bigpond.com. 
• 4 Troubridge Hotel Motel, Edith St, ☏ +61 8 8852 6013. 
• Edithburgh Boathouse General Store & Cafe, 6 Edith St, ☏ +61 8 8852 6084. 

Drink

• Edithburgh Hotel, 14 Edith St, ☏ +61 8 8852 6011. 
• Troubridge Hotel Motel, Edith St, ☏ +61 8 8852 6013. 

Sleep

Mid-range

• 1 Edithburgh Seaside Motel, 25-29 Blanche Street, ☏ +61 8 8852 6172, motel@edithburgh.com. Edithburgh Seaside Motel is situated in the main street of Edithburgh with 14 modern motel units and two self contained two bedroom family suites all with split system reverse cycle air conditioning, queen size beds, ensuites and direct dial telephones. Off street parking for coaches is available as well as front of unit under cover car parking. 
• 2 Edithburgh Caravan Park, O'Halloran Parade, ☏ +61 8 8852 6056, toll-free: 1800500356, fax: +61 8 8852 6553, bookings@edithburghcaravanpark.com.au. Accommodation options ranging from unpowered sites to luxury executive sea front spa cabins. Features include: Modern amenities block, Unisex ensuite amenities, Babies change room, Disabled bathroom, Modern Laundry, Camp Kitchen , Free electric BBQ, Children's playground, Basketball court, Tourist information, Wireless Internet, Pet friendly (sites only), A Fish cleaning station and Rain water tanks. Off-peak prices range from $20.00/night for an unpowered site to $140.00 'Executive Spa Cabins'. Minimum bookings may apply for Peak periods and surcharges may apply for minimum bookings. 

Unique

• Troubridge Island Hideaway (Troubridge Island Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage), Troubridge Island, via Edithburgh, ☏ +61 8 8852 6290. Rent your own secluded little Island just off Edithburgh. Have it all to yourself...well apart from 1,000 little penguins, 30,000 migratory shore birds and maybe a few playful dolphins that share this conservation park. The lighthouse keepers cottage accommodates up to 10 people and stands next to the only pre-fabricated cast iron lighthouse in South Australia built in 1856 (now retired). 

Connect

Cellular (mobile) telephone network reception may not be available in many areas especially those distant from cellular network repeater towers normally located along the major highways and near larger townships. Hilly terrain will also effect reception. In an emergency seek higher ground. Some networks provide a poor coverage in regional and rural areas. It is generally considered that the best reception is available from either Telstra or Optus when in areas such as Yorke Peninsula.

For emergency services including police, fire services and ambulance call 000 from any telephone and ask the operator to connect you.
Such calls are placed without charge to the calling party.

Go next

• Head west and explore Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park.
• Head north and go crabbing at Stansbury.