Sea Cave, Second Valley

Fleurieu Peninsula

Discover rolling hills, orchards, farms and vineyards, all bounded by picturesque beaches and rugged coastline. Sip world-class wines, hike through forests, surf, swim, and spot Southern Right whales in winter.

 

Enjoy the simple pleasures in life on the Fleurieu Peninsula by combining food, wine, arts and coastal adventures. The secluded beaches, friendly seaside towns and art studios make the region an ideal day-trip or overnight destination. 

The region's food is championed by a band of passionate chefs who are dedicated to promoting the range of fresh, local ingredients - from an upmarket restaurant to a coastal café and everything in-between, food is the hero. 

The McLaren Vale wine region is home to award winning wine and is less than an hour's drive from Adelaide. South Australia's most popular seaside town, Victor Harbor, has its own horse-drawn tram and historic Cockle Train.

Coast & Co

Best way to travel

The Fleurieu Peninsula is a one hour drive south of Adelaide. It is ideal as a day-trip destination as well as for extended stays. From Melbourne, enter the region by crossing the Murray River on one of Australia’s last remaining vehicle ferries at Wellington. Many coach and private tour operators run tours to and within the region otherwise we recommend visitors to have a hire car to explore the region.

Must See & Do

Driving the Fleurieu Peninsula

Spirit of the Coorong offer river cruises from Goolwa to the mouth of the Murray River and the Coorong National Park. Canoe the Coorong offers participants a relaxing day on the water exploring the Coorong and Murray River Mouth region. 

Deep Creek National Park is home to an array of native wildlife and and extensive network of 15 walking trails including the beginning of the Heysen Trail - a 1500 kilometre walking track. Southern Ocean Walk offer multi-day walking tours at Deep Creek.

Dive through the wrecks of the Star of Greece, which sank in 1888, or the HMAS Hobart. Divers will find an array of marina flora and fauna and a declared marine reserve. Nearby is one of the best locations to view to famous leafy sea dragon, which is unique to the waters of South Australia.

Art is another drawcard for the Fleurieu Peninsula. It attracts many artists, and their works are displayed in a great range of art galleries, exhibition spaces and small studios to explore. Wineries and cafes often holding local art exhibitions. 

Granite Island, also known by the Ramindjeri people as Nulcoowarra, is a small island next to Victor Harbor.The island is characterised by huge granite boulders tinged with orange lichen, with the sound of waves crashing against rocky shores a stirring soundtrack to your visit. Enjoy the coastal scenery and discover the island's interesting history along the Kaiki Walk. You may even spot a southern right whale between June and October.

Here the beaches are uncrowded and there are good surf beaches at Goolwa, Middleton, Port Elliot, Boomer Beach, Waitpinga and Newland Head Conservation Park. The beach breaks are great for the novice and the reef breaks for the more experienced. Surf lessons are available in Middleton and Goolwa.

Big Duck Tours are based at Victor Harbor and offer a spectacular ocean adventure experiencing otherwise inaccessible areas of coastline. Explore islands and beaches to see seals, dolphins, seabirds and whales (when in season) in their natural environment on an expedition-style boat.

Urimbirra Wildlife Park is located only 5 minutes drive from Victor Harbor and offers the opportunity to feed kangaroos, walk through the Rainbow Lorikeet aviary, listen to keeper talks and get up close and personal with koalas. There are over 400 Australian native animals throughout the native wetlands of the park.

Between May and October each year the migrating southern right and humpback whales move to warmer waters to calve. See them as they pass Port Elliot, Middleton and Victor Harbor. The South Australian Whale Centre at Victor Harbor has a sightings information line and a wealth of information about whales.

Willunga Farmers Market is held every Saturday in the Willunga town square in the McLaren Vale area. It provides an outlet for a variety of local farmers, orchardists and producers of artisan food products to sell fresh, local and seasonal produce direct to the public. 

The Fleurieu Peninsula has over 100 cellar doors and is home to several distinct wine regions including McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and Currency Creek. Gemtreed'Arenberg and Wirra Wirra experiences range from tours and tastings in the historic cellars to wine blending and bio-dynamic farming practices