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 your 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.
Myponga
About an hours 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.
The map at the entrance showing you the points of interest along the track
There is plenty of birdlife along the way, and you may even spot the local Kangaroos depending on the time of day you visit.
The walk takes you beside the water, and across grassy plains
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 countryside.
The view over the reservoir from the top lookout
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.
Openings
- 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)
Yankalilla / Normanville
In Yankalilla is the Fleurieu 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.
Street Art in Normanville
From here you could go for a walk along the beach, taking in the changing tides and sand.
Under the Normanville Jetty at low tide
Take a walk along Normanville Beach
Ingalalla Waterfall
Just 10kms 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.
The first sight you see coming from the car park
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.
View from the other side of the creek
Enjoy a picnic beside the creek, or take a walk on one of the many trails in the forest.
The picnic grounds just before you reach the waterfall
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.
The anchor from the HMAS Hobart pointing the way to the sunken ship
Second Valley
Second Valley is a great place whether you're on the land or sea. Walking, fishing, swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving are popular here in these calm waters.
The clear waters and rugged landscape of Second Valley
There are many rocky outcrops to explore as well as a small jetty to fish off.
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.
Rapid Bay Jetty lies at one end of the long beach at Rapid Bay
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
The Maria Tina mosaic boat lies in the landscaped garden just as you drive into Cape Jervis
Home to the ferry across 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.
The start of the Heysen Trail with all the information about it
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.
You may even see a pod of dolphins as you walk along
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.
The busy shipping lane between Kangaroo Island and the mainland
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.
One of the tracks leading to the top of The Bluff
From the top, you have views across Victor Harbor and looking 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 Harbor Heritage Walk
Petrel Cove with one of the many information boards along the trail
Starting from the third car park on the Bluff at Petrel Cove, the Victor Harbor Heritage Walk takes you south along the Fleurieu coastline. This walk is also part of the Heysen Trail.
Information boards at the start of the Victor Harbor Heritage Trail at Petrel Cove
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.
Walk along the red sand beaches
It's another nice coastal walk on a sunny day, and you get to learn about the history of the area at the same time.
South Australian Whale Centre
The Whale Fountain is located in the park in front of the South Australian Whale Centre
One for the kids and those with interest in marine life is the South Australian Whale Centre.
There is so much information for young and old in the 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 as looking straight into his mouth.
Imagine being in this cage and seeing these teeth coming towards you
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.
Admission And Opening Times
Granite Island
Using the causeway, you can cross over to Granite Island where you can explore the natural wonders of this rocky outcrop.
The horse and tram that will take you across to Granite Island
You can either cross over on foot or take the horse and tram.
Nature provides its own art gallery for you to see
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.
Port Eliot
The map of the Harbourmasters Walk
Along the coast from Victor Harbour, Port Eliot has the Harbourmasters trail along the coastline which is popular with locals and visitors.
The ruins of the Harbourmasters Cottage overlooking Horseshoe Bay
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.
Watch the power of the Southern Ocean as it crashes onto the rocks along the shore
There is also the Southern Fleurieu 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.
At the bottom of the stairs you are at the creek and Glacier Rock
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, 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 are one of the 26 sculptures that make up the Hills Sculpture Trail. This trail is a popular one through the Adelaide Hills.
One of the many Hills Sculptures dotted around the Adelaide Hills, at the entrance to the Swamp Wetlands
A 730m boardwalk takes you around the swamp wetlands with information boards explaining this fragile ecosystem.
Walking through the Swamp Wetlands
Mt Compass is a lovely little town to take a break, and as the walks aren't long, it wouldn't take too much time out of your day to complete them.
The entrance to the Mt Compass School Swamp Wetlands
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.
