There is much to see and do in the many towns on the Fleurieu Peninsula. I have listed some of the best places to visit, whether you’re a family or solo. Whether you spend a day, weekend or longer, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed in this part of South Australia.
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If you are travelling around Australia, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
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Myponga Reservoir Walk
About an hour’s drive south of Adelaide is the small township of Myponga. Here you will find the Reservoir Walk, a 3.3km track, which is not only good for walking but biking as well.
There is plenty of birdlife along the way, and you may even spot the local Kangaroos depending on the time of day you visit.
There is also artwork on the red brick pump station that you can see from the end of Hansen Street.
If you don’t want to take a walk, you could go to the lookout. From the main road, watch for the signs for the turnoff to get views over the reservoir and Fleurieu Peninsula countryside.
There is limited parking, and dogs are not permitted. If you would like to fish, you need a fishing license which you can find out about on this website.
Hours
October to 31 March, 7.30 am – 8 pm
1 April to 30 September, 7.30 am – 5 pm.
Closed on Christmas Day, Total Fire Ban Days, and for operational activity (gates will be closed).
There is also water tank art on the Fleurieu Peninsula. While you are at the Reservoir there is a water pump station that is covered in art depicting the local area as well as a water tank across the road with art on it.
Yankalilla/Normanville
In Yankalilla is the Fleurieu Peninsula Coast Visitor Centre. Here you will find all the information you need more on exploring this area.
Passing through these twin towns, you could grab something to eat at the local bakeries to take on a picnic down to the beach or enjoy fish and chips down at the Normanville Jetty.
From here, you could go for a walk along the beach, taking in the changing tides and sand.
Ingalalla Waterfall
Just 10 km from Normanville, down a gravel road, is the popular waterfall, Ingalalla.
Only a couple of hundred metres from the large car park, the waterfall is impressive, especially after rain.
There are large rocks to climb for a better view, or you can take a steep track up the back to see the upper cascade.
If there has been too much rain, the creek crossing can get very wet, as the rocks will be covered.
Enjoy a picnic beside the creek, or take a walk on one of the many trails in the forest.
Lady’s Bay
Just off the main road south is the lookout over Lady’s Bay and the HMAS Hobart memorial. The HMAS Hobart was sunk off the coast in 2002 and houses a diverse array of marine life for those wishing to dive.
Second Valley
Second Valley is a great place whether you’re on land or at sea. Walking, fishing, swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving are popular here in these calm waters.
There are many rocky outcrops to explore as well as a small jetty to fish off.
There is a Caravan Park where you can base yourself here and it’s just a one-minute or less walk to the beach.
Rapid Bay
Fishing, walking, kayaking and birdwatching are popular activities to do here. Just a 10-minute drive from the main road south, Rapid Bay offers a place to get away from the crowds.
There is a grassy campground on the beachfront where you can base yourself while you explore this part of the coastline. There is a small fee, and water and toilets are available, but no hot showers.
Cape Jervis
Home to the ferry crossing to Kangaroo Island, Cape Jervis is also the starting point of the Heysen Trail.
This trail not only covers the Fleurieu Peninsula but takes you as far as the Parachilna Gorge, 1200km away.
If you don’t have the time or the fitness to make the whole trail, you can do sections, like this one from the Kangaroo Island Ferry terminal to Fishery Beach, 4km.
Cape Jervis is the start of the trail, which takes you along the coastline. From here, you have great views across to Kangaroo Island and maybe even see a pod of dolphins.
The track follows the coastline most of the way, with it sometimes going into the bush. It is an excellent path but is narrow in places, and as it’s made of sand doesn’t get too muddy or slippery.
There is another Caravan Park here that you can stay at before heading over to Kangaroo Island.
You can pitch a tent, stay in your caravan or make use of one of the numerous cabins for your stay.
Victor Harbour
About an hour and a half out of Adelaide, you will find Victor Harbour. Still part of the Fleurieu Peninsula, it offers many activities, especially for kids and those kids at heart.
This coastal town is a pleasant way to spend a day with a lot of activities to keep the kids entertained.
The Bluff (Rosetta Head)
Just outside of Victor Harbor is The Bluff, also known as Rosetta Head. It’s a popular place to visit to take in the views of the South Australian coastline.
There are plenty of car parks dotted on the Bluff where you can then start your journey up the tracks.
From the top, you have views across Victor Harbor and look south down the rugged coastline. Depending on your fitness, it will only take 20-30 minutes to reach the top.
From here you can also park to do the next activity, the Victor Harbor Heritage Walk.
Victor Harbour Heritage Walk
Starting from the third car park on the Bluff at Petrel Cove, the Victor Harbor Heritage Walk takes you south along the Fleurieu Peninsula coastline. This walk is also part of the Heysen Trail.
The track takes you along the clifftops and beaches between Petrel Cove and Kings Beach, Waitangi, which is 6.5km one way. Information boards are not only at the beginning but along the way as well. They describe life back when the area was being settled.
It’s another nice coastal walk on a sunny day, and you get to learn about the history of the Fleurieu Peninsula at the same time.
South Australian Whale Centre
One for the kids and those with an interest in marine life is the South Australian Whale Centre.
The centre is only a small area but is packed with so much information on the marine life in the Australian and South Australian waters. You can learn about sharks as well by looking straight into his mouth.
The Sea Shepherd organisation has an exhibit here where you can learn all about the work they do around the world as well as protecting the whales in the Southern Ocean.
Prices
Please check their prices here.
Hours
It is currently closed for renovations, but check their website for times when they open.
Granite Island
Using the causeway, you can cross over to Granite Island, where you can explore the natural wonders of this rocky outcrop.
You can either cross over on foot or take the horse and tram.
There are many trails to wander as you climb over the granite rocky outcrops as well as tours to take in such as Dolphin and Whale-watching, spotting Little Penguins, swimming with the Tuna or a Big Duck Boat Tour.
Hours
Open daily during daylight and tours after dark.
See the Horse Drawn Tram website for information on hours and prices.
Port Eliot
Port Eliot is the eastern point of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Along the coast from Victor Harbour, Port Eliot has the Harbourmasters trail along the coastline, which is popular with locals and visitors.
From the car park at the Freeman Lookout, you can take a stroll back along the coastline towards Victor Harbor. You will see sheltered bays such as Horseshoe Bay, the aptly named Rocky Bay, with waves crashing up from the Southern Ocean, and see the surfers try to catch the waves at Knights Beach.
There is also the Southern Fleurieu Peninsula Historical Museum in the area to visit.
Glacier Rock
Glacier Rock is a popular walk, especially on weekends and holidays.
The rock is a boulder 500 million years old that was dragged across the landscape by glacial action.
Glacier Rock is a short stop on the road between Victor Harbor and Yankalilla. It’s only a couple-minute walk to the lookout, or you can walk down the stairs to the creek and boulder.
Mt. Compass
Still, technically part of the Fleurieu Peninsula, Mt. Compass has a couple of special interest walks for the whole family.
There are two wetland swamps to explore in Mt Compass, and neither is very big.
The first one is off Sam Court behind the IGA.
At the entrance to the Swamp Wetlands is one of the 26 sculptures that make up the Hills Sculpture Trail. This trail is a popular one through the Adelaide Hills.
A 730m boardwalk takes you around the swamp wetlands with information boards explaining this fragile ecosystem.
Mt Compass is a lovely little town to take a break from on your drive, and as the walks aren’t long, it wouldn’t take too much time out of your day to complete them.
Conclusion
I hope that you enjoy the Fleurieu Peninsula if you get down to this part of the world. There is so much more to see than I have written, but hopefully, this will inspire you to visit.
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Links
If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.
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This whole area sounds just lovely. Also that shot under the jetty is fabulous!
Thanks, Alison. I hope that you will get to visit one day.
Great shots and so much helpful information. Thank you. I’d love to visit there!
Thanks, Nancy. I hope that you get to visit this beautiful area one day.
A great blog post about my home! Currently living in Europe and moving back in November. It will be like being a tourist in my own town after 3 years of being away.
I’m sure you’ll find a few changes when you get back, Shannon. Happy travels and safe return.