Flouncing Around the Fleurieu Peninsula

Once we left the Murray River Mouth and Lakes country of South Australia, we came across a sneaky little peninsula. The Fleurieu Peninsula is only 60 kilometres in length and about 30 kilometres in width tapering into Cape Jervis at the bottom – the gateway to the fabulous Kangaroo Island. Being only 45 minutes from the state’s capital Adelaide, it is probably most renowned for the popular tourist destination town of Victor Harbor.

We discovered famous winemaking regions, some of the South Australia’s most beautiful beaches, rolling hills, dairy pastures, orchards and a rugged coastline. The Fleurieu Peninsula offers a tapestry of experiences and something for everyone.

Port Elliot

A model little seaside village, set around the gorgeous Horseshoe Bay, Port Eliot is renowned for its cafes, pubs and gift shops along The Strand. Here we followed the Port Elliot Maritime Heritage Trail on the foreshore of Horseshoe Bay. There are a few excellent vantage points such as Freemans Nob and the cliff top walking path that afforded stunning views of the Encounter Bay coastline.

For an absolute waterfront dining experience, eat at the Flying Fish Restaurant & Café right on Horseshoe Bay. Or check out the Returned Soldier’s Memorial Park that fringes the bay – it is very pretty.

Victor Harbour

Nestled on a wide, sandy arc of Encounter Bay, Victor Harbour has been the summer holiday choice for generations of South Australians. It is a town with just about everything you could want for a relaxing holiday – sun, surf and sand. It also boasts clear turquoise waters and stunning views; outstanding early colonial architecture; and good pubs, cafes and restaurants. It’s easy to understand why it’s such a popular travel destination.

The ten top things to do in Victor Harbour would have to be:

1.   Catch the Cockle Steam Train from Victor Harbour to Goolwa, that winds its way down the coastline with spectacular views.

2.   Take the horsedrawn tram journey across the causeway to Granite Island.

3.   Circumnavigate Granite Island by foot on the pathway that takes you to points of interest along the way. You may even see some Little Penguins. Some of the views from this granite bouldered island are to die for.

4.   Surf or swim at one the numerous beaches such as: Waitpinga, Parsons, Chiton Rocks and Dump Beach.

5.   For a close encounter with the Little Penguins take a one hour tour at dusk at the Granite Island Nature Park .

6.   Drive up to The Bluff and hike around the pathway for panoramic ocean views of Encounter Bay and Granite Island.

7.   Go to the Urimbirra Wildlife Experience for some more wildlife encounters with Koalas, Crocodiles and Snakes.

8.   Visit the South Australian Whale Centre to experience and discover three floors of interactive and informative exhibits.

9.   Hop aboard The Big Duck Boat Tour and see seals, dolphins and whales (in season).

10.  Amble around the town which has a great array of gift shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, pubs and lovely parklands lining the foreshore.

The drive from Victor Harbour through the ranges and rural area to Cape Jervis at the bottom of the peninsula is quiet spectacular. It is a very manageable day trip from Victor Habour.

Cape Jervis

The departure point for the ferry service to Kangaroo Island, Cape Jervis is also a popular base for fisherman. It provides good boat, jetty and beach fishing. Bushwalkers will love nearby Deep Creek Conservation Park or the Heysen Trail from Cape Jervis to Victor Harbour.

Near Cape Jervis, visit Fishery Beach, the site of the former Cape Jervis Whale Fishery, a State Heritage listed site. Discover the highlights of South Australia’s premier nature-based tourism destination, Kangaroo Island. From Remarkable Rocks to playful fur seals, and Flinders Chase National Park is renowned as a sanctuary for native Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and echidnas. A day cruise will take you to the Kangaroo Island’s natural highlights and will more than likely be the highlight of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Rapid Bay and Second Valley

A small hamlet, nestled between a long sandy beach and towering cliffs, Rapid Bay hasn’t succumbed to the flurry of beachside development. The approach into the bay is “picture postcard” worthy down a steep winding road, with spectacular views across the gulf.

Rapid Bay is a popular dive site because of its pristine waters and has a long jetty that is great for fishing. For history buffs, there is a boulder here, that Colonel William Light (South Australia’s founding father), carved his initials after he first stepped ashore from his ship ‘The Rapid’.

The town of Second Valley is reminiscent of a Cornish fishing village, hugging the edge of Yankalilla Bay. The rugged geological rock formations and steep coastal cliffs help make Second Valley unforgettable. Same goes for the Old Mill, on the main road into this tiny town, that has now been converted into a restaurant and reception venue.

Its protected waters provide scuba divers and snorkellers with a memorable experience and anglers know it best for the fine fishing.

If you are after a unique diving experience then the wreck of the HMAS Hobart. The wreck was scuttled four nautical miles west-north-west of Marina St Vincent in Yankalilla Bay, and is a great dive spot because of its accessibility to the ship.

McLaren Vale

An internationally acclaimed wine district, McLaren Vale also offers beautiful scenery, with local restaurants serving up delicious regional produce. It is nestled between the Mt Lofty Ranges and the beaches of Gulf St Vincent, and is only 40 kilometres from Adelaide.

The McLaren Vale wine region is rich in history, with the first vines planted in 1838. As early as 1850 the famous Hardy and Seaview wineries were in operation and remain today.

To get a feel of the countryside, walk or ride the 8 kilometres Shiraz Trail. It begins adjacent to the Visitor Information Centre and meanders through the township of Willunga, passing via vineyards, olive groves and old gum trees.

Otherwise, experience the McLaren Vale wine region with a wine tour. These tours include meeting a wine maker and a behind the scene tour with a gourmet lunch platter or your choice of restaurant/café. Or get a wine trail brochure from the Visitor’s Centre and DIY winery tour.

Port Noarlunga

An old port township found at the mouth of the Onkaparinga River, Port Noarlunga is a popular family holiday destination. Southern Beach at low tide exposes a natural marine reserve, and is perfect for aquatic exploration. What makes this beach so special is the reef, a natural rock pile that runs parallel to shore for over 1.5 kilometres.This protective barrier shields the beach from waves, large sea creatures, and strong rip currents.

Fisherman take advantage of the long jetty to dangle their lines and snorkellers and divers can enjoy the marked underwater trail at the end of the jetty. The reef is home to Leatherjackets, Rays, Cuttlefish, Starfish, Crabs and more. The water is 7-9 meters deep, but the top of the reef is flat and easy to get on to at low tide.

For walkers, you can do the Port Noarlunga to Christies Beach beachside walk that winds around some spectacular cliffs above and some rocks below. More intrepid walkers head for the river estuary and Onkaparinga River Recreation Park. The tranquil estuary and wetlands abound with flora and fauna that keep nature watchers content.

The village itself provides great places to stop for a coffee and interesting shopping, along with a hint of what the old port would have looked like more than a century ago. Also worth a visit is the Port Noarlunga Surf Lifesaving Club, perched on a hill overlooking the beach.

The Fleurieu Peninsula is jam-packed with a whole lot of things that I enjoy the most – bleached sandy beaches, historic coastal towns, ample bike and walking trails, a world-class wine area, spectacular scenery and many opportunities to interact with wildlife either above or below the sea. You can definitely be revitalized by all the Fleurieu Peninsula has to offer – I was!