See South Australia’s Ethel Shipwreck Fully Exposed
Every now and then you can visit Dhilba Guuranda/Innes National Park to see the Ethel Shipwreck fully exposed.
Unlike other South Australian historic shipwrecks, the Ethel Shipwreck is unusual due to it being on land rather than under water. As recently as August 2021, the Ethel has become fully exposed again and can be seen without its usual cover of sand, stripped away by heavy weather.
Check the National Parks and Wildlife Service website for the latest updates.
History:
The shipwreck lies on Ethel Beach within Innes National Park on the Yorke Peninsula. The Ethel was a 711 tonne, three-masted iron ship built in 1876 and ran aground in 1904 when caught in a storm en route to South Africa. The storm drove the ship onto the beach above the low tide mark, where it remained intact for many years.
While the hull collapsed in the mid-1980s, there is still plenty to see, with large pieces of rusted iron jutting out from the sand, clearly marking the ship’s outline.
Handy tips for visiting Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park:
- Innes is at the tip of Yorke Peninsula, three-and-a-half hours from Adelaide
- The nearest town is Marion Bay, just outside the park gates
- Pondalowie Bay and Cable Bay are the closest campgrounds to Ethel Beach
Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981:
It’s important to note that the Ethel shipwreck site is protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981.
This means it’s illegal to disturb, remove or interfere with the shipwreck. While visitors are encouraged to approach and view the shipwreck, make sure you don’t disturb the remains.
Historic shipwrecks are important heritage sites that can provide opportunities for research, education and enjoyment for all so it is expected that all visitors behave respectfully.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the National Parks and Wildlife Service website.
What: See the Ethel Shipwreck Fully Exposed
When: From mid-August 2019
Where: Ethel Beach | Innes National Park, Inneston, Yorke Peninsula
Who: Everyone
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: National Parks and Wildlife Service website
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