Blowhole Creek beach is at the western boundary of Deep Creek Conservation Park.
This is one of seven small beaches along a steep and mostly inaccessible section of coast on the south side of Fleurieu Peninsula.
Two of these beaches in the Deep Creek Conservation Park are accessible to the public by 4WD, with the remainder backed by farmland.
The park is 100km from Adelaide.
It has five campgrounds, four of them accessible by 2WD vehicles.
The other campground is walk-in only on the Heysen Trail, which gives walking access to coastal areas.
There are 15 walking trails in the national park, with spectacular views of Backstairs Passage, Kangaroo Island and Deep Creek Valley.
Access to Blowhole Creek beach is via a steep 4WD track, but 2WD visitors can park at Cobblers Hill and walk a steep 2km to the beach and rocks.
A small creek runs across the beach, with fishable rocks extending seaward in each side.
The western side of the beach has a good platform.
The beach itself is small, being only 120m or so wide.
From the rocks anything might be caught, although the usual catch is tommy ruffs, salmon trout, silver and spotted whiting, red mullet, flathead and squid.
Those who take time to access the more remote rocks will find big leatherjackets, sweep and more.
Kingfish and silver trevally might show up on a good day.
Boat Harbour Beach
This is a straight 100m-wide steep cobblestone beach, with a low-tide sandbar.
It is at the end of a deep valley, with a 4WD access track zigzagging down the western spur.
Fishermen find this interesting spot to be hot or cold.
Salmon trout are the most likely catch.
Tunkalilla Beach
To the east of Deep Creek National Park is Tunkalilla Beach.
This 5km beach is accessible from a carpark on a bluff above the western end of the beach.
It is a long walk, especially on the way back.
It should be fished in light weather, preferably a northerly.
It has good salmon fishing at times, with mulloway or snapper a chance at night in spring and summer.
It is renowned for sharks in summer.
Beaches further east include Callawonga Beach, Ballapanudda Beach and Coolawanga Beach.
These may be accessible off the Heysen Trail, but check with trail organisers first.
Interestingly, Callawonga Creek was shown to hold trout in a 2013 government survey.
Further to the east are Parsons and Waitpinga Beaches, which are long, high-energy surf beaches that are publicly accessible and well-proven salmon fisheries, with a chance of tailor, mulloway and sharks.
Here is a list of recommended tackle for SA waters.
Here is the SA seasonal fishing calendar for various fish species.
Deep Creek tides
Deep Creek Conservation Park
Blowhole Beach at Beachsafe
Boat Harbour Beach at Beachsafe
Tunkalilla Beach at Beachsafe
SA fishing regulations
SA marine parks
NOTE: Special snapper rules apply in South Australia – more info here.
Email corrections, additions, pictures or video here.
