Great news! In South Australia there are 5 top coastal national parks that you can visit for free over summer and right up until the end of Easter 2026.

Entry fees to these parks have been waived by the state Government, as a part of an initiative to support coastal communities from the devastating effects the Algal bloom has had on tourism to the regions.

As a brief background, this is a portion of the official information relating to this algal bloom that is currently affecting some South Australian coastal waters.

‘This bloom has been caused by a combination of three events:

• Floodwaters from the River Murray in 2022-23 brought extra nutrients into the sea.
• A cold-water upwelling in summer 2023-24 lifted more nutrients to the surface.
• A marine heatwave since September 2024 has lifted water about 2.5C warmer than normal.

These conditions have been building over time. Warmer ocean temperatures, made more likely by climate change, have created the perfect environment for the bloom. This event has had a significant impact on marine life and on industries that depend on a healthy ocean, especially fishing, aquaculture, and tourism’.

Unfortunately it seems to be impossible to manage or even predict which parts of the coast it will affect, and how long it will be around. It has come and gone then returned randomly at a number of places over the past few months, which is why the government have put in different measures to support local communities, including this initiative.

So the good news is that there are plenty of coastal areas not affected at all and in the meantime you can visit these following coastal parks without having to pay the usual car entry fee. Camping permits and fees will still apply though.

Lincoln National Park – is on the southern Eyre Peninsula, around an 8 hour drive from Adelaide and is known for surf beaches, fishing, diving, 4WD drives, sandy bays and stunning coastal views.

Deep Creek National Park – on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula is only an hour and a half from Adelaide and has spectacular natural bushland, heaps of wildlife especially kangaroos, walking trails and epic ocean views.

Dhilba-Guuranda (Innes) National Park – is on the south west tip of Yorke Peninsula around 3 and a half hours drive from Adelaide. It is known for its fantastic, surf and fishing beaches, incredible views, emus and kangaroos galore and bushwalks.

Coffin Bay National Park – a 30 minute drive from Port Lincoln, or around 7 and a half hours from Adelaide, this park has incredible sand dunes, rugged cliffs, 4WD beaches, pounding surf and sheltered bays.

Flinders Chase National Park – is on the south western side of Kangaroo Island, about a 90 minute drive from Kingscote, where the ferry from Cape Jervis lands. Here you can see kangaroos and koalas galore, as well as fur seal colonies and incredible natural rock formations of this wild landscape.

For more information of these parks and the free coastal parks entry conditions, visit the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA site.

Enjoy the summer fun

Glenys