National park · Australia
Coffin Bay National Park
Give it a full day from Port Lincoln: drive to Point Avoid and walk Almonta or Gunyah beach in the morning, then Yangie Bay for the short loop and a picnic; skip the 4WD-only peninsula unless you have a high-clearance vehicle and a full day spare.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
310 km²120 sq mi
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 310 km²120 sq mi
- Park boundary figures vary by source; treat the area as approximate (check).
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Coffin Bay National Park protects the limestone peninsula west of the town of Coffin Bay, about 50 km from Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula. The sealed road reaches Point Avoid, Almonta Beach and Yangie Bay; everything beyond Yangie Bay is 4WD-only sand track running north past Lake Damascus and Point Longnose to Point Sir Isaac. There is no lodging inside the park, no potable water, and camping is only in designated campgrounds.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1982.
Size and age
310 km²120 sq mi · national park since 1982
Park boundary figures vary by source; treat the area as approximate (check).
Why go
- Long white surf beaches — Almonta, Gunyah, Seven Mile — with almost nobody on them outside summer holidays.
- Point Avoid and the Yangie Bay lookouts give the coastal views without a long walk.
- The 4WD track to Point Sir Isaac is one of the few ways to reach a wild peninsula tip in South Australia.
- Emus, kangaroos and western grey kangaroos are common around the campgrounds and the Yangie Bay road.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanHot and dry; beaches busy with locals
- FebHot; fire restrictions likely
- MarWarm days, calm sea, fewer people
- AprMild and clear; best walking
- MayCool, green after first rains
- JunWet and windy; big surf
- JulCold, rough seas, tracks muddy
- AugWind and rain; whales offshore
- SepWildflowers start; still windy
- OctWildflowers, mild, dry tracks
- NovWarm, clear, quiet midweek
- DecWarm; school holidays fill campgrounds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emus and western grey kangaroos around campgroundsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Southern right whales offshoreJun–Sep · Seen from the cliffs on calm days; bring binoculars. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Shorebirds on Almonta and Gunyah beachesSep–Mar · Keep back from flocks and keep dogs away. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflowers on the limestone heathSep–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Port Lincoln
B100 south then Coffin Bay Road to the town, then Long Beach Road to the park entrance.
40–50 min
From Coffin Bay town
Long Beach Road to the park boundary and on to Point Avoid or Yangie Bay.
10–20 min
From Adelaide
Drive or fly to Port Lincoln, then road transfer; the park is not reachable by public transport.
7–8 h by road
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Point Avoid and the southern beaches | Sealed-road access to clifftop lookouts, Almonta Beach and Gunyah Beach. | Open to all vehicles; short walks from the car parks. |
| Yangie Bay | Sheltered bay at the south of the peninsula with the main campground, picnic area and short walks. | Sealed road; the last point most cars can reach. |
| Northern peninsula (Lake Damascus to Point Sir Isaac) | Sand tracks along the north-east side past Point Longnose to the peninsula tip. | 4WD only; check track conditions before setting out. |
| Whidbey Wilderness Area | The southern part of the peninsula tip, kept free of vehicles. | Foot access only; no formed trails. |
Sketch map
- 1Coffin Bay town · Town≈-34.623, 135.470Map ↗
- 2Park entrance (Long Beach Road) · Gate≈-34.640, 135.362Map ↗
- 3Yangie Bay Campground · Sleep≈-34.640, 135.362Map ↗
- 4Point Avoid · Viewpoint≈-34.670, 135.310Map ↗
- 5Almonta Beach · Beach≈-34.660, 135.290Map ↗
- 6Point Longnose · Viewpoint≈-34.520, 135.220Map ↗
- 7Point Sir Isaac · Summit≈-34.440, 135.190Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (vehicle) | Free | vehicle | No entry fee for this park; you pay only for camping (check current SA parks fee schedule). |
| Camping, unpowered site | AUD 21.6 | night | 2026 estimate; book online before you arrive. |
| Yangie Bay (Big) campground, large group site | AUD 21.6 | night | Unallocated site, maximum 7 vehicles (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
4WD peninsula track no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Designated campgrounds only; no backcountry or roadside camping anywhere in the park.
- Water
- No potable water in the park; bring your own or buy supplies in Coffin Bay town.
- Fires
- Fires and solid-fuel stoves are banned on total fire ban days; check the day's rating before you light anything.
- Dogs
- Not allowed in the park, including on beaches and in campgrounds.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a permit from the parks service (check).check
- Beaches and wildlife
- Do not drive on beaches outside the signed 4WD tracks, and keep well clear of shorebird flocks and seals.
Where to stay
In the park
Yangie Bay Campground
19 unpowered sites beside the bay; the only wheelchair-accessible campground and the only one reachable by car.
In the park
Black Springs, Morgan's Landing, Sensation and The Pool campgrounds
Small 4WD-only campgrounds on the northern peninsula; some have no toilet.
Near the park
Coffin Bay town
Motels, holiday houses and caravan parks 10–20 min from the park boundary.
Near the park
Port Lincoln
Full range of hotels and hostels, 40–50 min away; the fallback when Coffin Bay is full.
Safety
Surf and rips on Almonta and Gunyah high
Getting bogged on the 4WD track medium
Heat and no water supply medium
Cliff edges at Point Avoid medium
Phone signal low
Accessibility
- Yangie Bay Campground and its picnic area are the accessible option, with a wheelchair-accessible site and toilet.
- Point Avoid and the Yangie Bay lookout have short graded paths from the car parks.
- Almonta and Gunyah beaches and the northern 4WD tracks are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the signed tracks; limestone heath and dune vegetation recover slowly.
- Take all rubbish out — there are no bins beyond the campgrounds.
- Keep distance from shorebirds and seals, especially on Almonta and Gunyah beaches.
- Use a long-drop toilet where provided rather than digging near the coast.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Coffin Bay National Park?
There is no day entry fee for this park — you drive in and park for free. You pay only if you camp: unpowered sites are about A$21.60 per night (2026 estimate), booked online through the South Australian parks service.
What are the best hikes in Coffin Bay National Park?
The Yangie Bay loop and lookout is the easiest, about 1–1.5 hours on flat ground. The Point Avoid clifftop walk takes 30–45 minutes. Longer options are beach walks on Almonta and Gunyah, and the trackless Whidbey Wilderness Area at the peninsula tip, which needs navigation and a full water supply.
When is the best time to visit Coffin Bay National Park?
March to May and October to November: mild days, dry tracks and fewer people. Summer is hot with total fire ban days, and winter brings wind, rain and rough seas. Wildflowers peak in September and October, and whales pass offshore from June to September.
Do I need a 4WD to visit the park?
No for the main sights. The sealed road reaches Point Avoid, Almonta Beach and Yangie Bay. Everything past Yangie Bay — Lake Damascus, Point Longnose and Point Sir Isaac — is sand track for high-clearance 4WDs only.
Can I camp in Coffin Bay National Park?
Yes, but only in designated campgrounds, booked in advance. Yangie Bay is the largest and the only one reachable by car; Black Springs, Morgan's Landing, Sensation and The Pool are 4WD-only. There is no backcountry camping and no lodging inside the park.
Is there drinking water in the park?
No. Bring your own water for the whole visit, or buy supplies in Coffin Bay town before you drive in.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go