Southern Yorke Peninsula (Environmental Region 4.5)
This region consists of four environmental associations. It comprises the lower section of Yorke Peninsula and its landforms resemble those of central Eyre Peninsula, except that dunes are less common. The region is an undulating calcreted plain rising to a maximum of 200 m in the centre of the peninsula. A change to a more arid climate marks the boundary with region 4.6. A woodland of dryland teatree (Melaleuca lanceolata) and drooping sheaoak (Casuarina stricta) occurs throughout the region. The plains provide foreground and middleground panoramic views with occasional background panoramas from the higher rises and with salt lakes in the south as dominating local features. In the far south-west coastal mallee and heath provide detailed and sometimes enclosed views. Coastal cliffs afford panoramic views of the coastline and ocean with offshore islands featuring in ocean views from the Pondalowie area. Semi-enclosed views can be obtained from beaches within the coves. The region has a mild climate with a winter rainfall maximum and dry summers. Mean annual rainfall increases from about 400 mm in the north to around 475 mm in the south of the region, with most of the rain falling between April and October. Temperatures vary from mild in summer to cold in winter. Mean monthly evaporation is high in summer and exceeds the median monthly rainfall in all months but July. Mean annual evaporation is about 1750 mm throughout the region.
