Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Victor Harbor, Australia

The coastal town of Victor Harbor is historically significant, having been the meeting point for two renowned explorers, Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin, in 1802. At the time, tensions existed between the UK and France; nonetheless, Flinders and Baudin engaged amicably to exchange information.

Encounter Bay, as identified by Flinders, serves as a vital habitat for the southern right whale, which can be observed from autumn through spring.

Whales have become integral to the narrative of Victor Harbor, transitioning from a hunted species to a major attraction for visitors.

A prime location for whale watching is Granite Island, a rugged recreational park that is connected to the mainland by a long causeway. It is noteworthy for its reliance on one of the world’s rare remaining horse-drawn trams.

1. Whale Watching

Southern right whales undertake a migration from the Antarctic to Encounter Bay from May to October for calving or mating in these protected, temperate waters.

This species favors shallow regions, often remaining within a few hundred meters of the coast.

Thus, Victor Harbor stands out as an excellent locale to observe these magnificent 18-meter giants from the shore.

One could easily spend an entire afternoon gazing out at the ocean with binoculars, captivated by their breaches and playful antics.

Multiple vantage points exist throughout Victor Harbor, with Granite Island and Rosetta Head (The Bluff) being particularly advantageous locations, which will be discussed further below.

2. Granite Island

This 25-hectare island, situated just off the coast of Victor Harbor, is connected to the mainland by a 700-meter-long causeway.

Visitors can traverse this route on foot or utilize one of the world’s remaining horse-drawn trams.

Though modest in size, this site, formerly a 19th-century whaling station, holds significant appeal.

The island features a variety of intriguing rock formations sculpted by wind and sea.

Additionally, it showcases important public art commissioned from 18 distinguished sculptors.

Granite Island serves as a sanctuary for a small but growing population of little penguins, which can be viewed on guided tours that occur after sunset.

On the east side, adjacent to the Island Cafe, lies a 19th-century jetty historically built to enhance trade, known as the Screw Pile Jetty due to its unique construction method involving screws into the hard seabed limestone.

3. Kaiki Walk

Where the causeway meets Granite Island, there exists the starting point for a 2.9-kilometer gentle trail that loops around the coastline.

Taking the anti-clockwise path will guide you past the island’s impressive public art, as well as unique granite structures like Portrait Rock and Umbrella Rock.

On the east coast, near the Screw Pile Jetty, there is a small interpretive center detailing the island’s growing little penguin population; visitors can return at night for guided penguin tours (more details to follow). Gorgeous views back to the mainland stretch over Encounter Bay and Rosetta Head, with informational signs providing insights into the island’s history, wildlife, and geology.

4. Kangaroo Island Scenic Tour

As Australia’s third-largest island, Kangaroo Island lies just across the narrow Backstairs Passage from the Fleurieu Peninsula and is a noteworthy destination.

Much of the island is designated as nature reserves, protecting the remnants of native vegetation and various wildlife.

The most notable of these is Flinders Chase National Park, revered for its extraordinary granite formations and diverse species including echidnas, goannas, and koalas.

For those with limited time, consider a seven-hour tour available on GetYourGuide.com.

Your journey begins at the Sealink Terminal in Penneshaw, where you will be taken on a tour of Kangaroo Island’s highlights.

The itinerary includes seal-spotting, a raptor show at a bird sanctuary, a visit to a lavender farm, and an intimate look at the Remarkable Rocks, which have been eroded by wind and sea spray over the past 500 million years.

5. Oceanic Victor

An innovative aquarium platform has been established in the sheltered waters by Granite Island.

To access it, guests will board a motorized vessel, and upon arrival, will be equipped with wetsuits, booties, gloves, and masks for a dive with southern bluefin tuna.

This species is often referred to as the “Ferrari of the Ocean,” capable of reaching speeds of nearly 80 kilometers per hour.

Visitors can feed pilchards to the tuna while underwater, but for those who prefer to stay dry, an underwater observatory offers a clear view of the aquarium’s inhabitants, while children have the opportunity to engage with local marine life at the touch tank.

6. Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram

Victor Harbor is among the few locations globally where one can experience a double-decker tram powered by a horse.

This endeavor utilizes a substantial Clydesdale draught horse, which pulls the tram along the causeway to Granite Island.

This service has been operational since 1894, constituting one of only two such trams that operate daily.

The tram company employs six exceptional Clydesdales, rotating their schedules for shifts of up to three hours.

Replicas of the original late-19th-century trams are utilized, featuring interiors adorned with interpretive materials detailing the history of the tram line, the causeway, and Victor Harbor.

7. The Cockle Train

Departing from Victor Harbor, one can take a scenic journey along the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula aboard a broad gauge steam train.

The SteamRanger Heritage Railway, commonly known as the Cockle Train, traverses a preserved section of the Victor Harbor Railway Line, which dates back to the 1880s.

This railway represents Australia’s oldest steel-railed line, established to connect the Murray River’s mouth to the docks at Port Elliot and subsequently Victor Harbor.

The heritage railway operates a packed timetable, extending its route as far as Goolwa, approximately 18 kilometers away, with vistas of sand dunes, expansive sandy beaches, and the picturesque Southern Ocean.

The term “Cockle Train” is derived from the numerous cockles found on the beaches near the Murray River’s mouth.

Within the heritage railway’s fleet are five steam locomotives, the oldest of which was manufactured in 1913.

8. Urimbirra Wildlife Park

Located just five minutes from the Central Business District of Victor Harbor, this animal park is home to more than 400 native Australian species.

Visitors can find many animals emblematic of Australia, including kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, koalas, emus, saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, dingoes, echidnas, and beyond.

In addition, the park houses breeds of domestic animals including sheep, alpacas, chickens, and rabbits.

A defining feature of this attraction is its interactive experiences, providing opportunities for guests to pet and feed kangaroos, koalas, and emus, as well as engage with snakes.

Visitors are encouraged to prepare a picnic or leverage the park’s sheltered barbecue facilities, while a café is available at the gift shop.

9. South Australia Whale Centre

This marine-oriented interpretation center is situated within a heritage-listed railway goods shed dating back to the mid-19th century.

Evidence of its past, such as soot remnants left behind by years of steam engines, can still be observed on the interior walls.

Established in 1994, the SA Whale Centre has evolved over the years to include numerous interactive exhibits, such as touch tables and microscopes.

The center offers comprehensive information on southern right whales, delves into Victor Harbor’s whaling history, and showcases preserved specimens, including the spine of a humpback whale and a skull of a southern right whale.

Children can crawl through the body of a giant squid, go fossil hunting, and interact with the center’s live eastern long-neck turtle, affectionately named “Soup.” Additionally, a theater is dedicated to showing engaging presentations about marine life.

10. Penguin Tours

The little penguin, recognized as the smallest species of its kind, has experienced considerable population declines on the Fleurieu Peninsula over the past three decades.

However, recent efforts have led to a resurgence, with their numbers increasing from 20 in 2012 to 44 by 2018 on Granite Island. To safeguard the penguins, the island remains closed to the public after sunset, with visits allowed only via guided tours.

These guided experiences, lasting up to 90 minutes, permit participants to observe little penguins in their natural environment, as well as encounter other species that only emerge at night.

11. Waitpinga Beach

Continuing west along the southern coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula reveals a series of beaches exposed to the full force of the Southern Ocean.

One exemplary beach, located within the Newland Head Conservation Park, is merely a 15-minute drive away.

Waitpinga Beach spans three kilometers and is entirely devoid of any development.

This coastline exemplifies nature in its rawest form, with strong winds (the name “Waitpinga” translates to “home of the winds”) and vigorous waves appealing predominantly to experienced surfers.

Salmon and mullet can be found in abundance at Waitpinga and its adjacent neighbor, Parsons Beach, attracting fishermen casting their lines from the shore.

These fish often draw occasional visitors such as great white sharks.

12. Rosetta Head (The Bluff)

The western boundary of Encounter Bay is characterized by an imposing headland, reaching 87 meters in height and adorned with grass interspersed among substantial granite boulders.

During the 19th century, Rosetta Head was associated with the whaling industry, featuring a lookout point at its peak for spotting whales, coupled with a whaling station served by a wharf on its sheltered northern side.

Today, one can navigate the boulders to reach the summit, where panoramic views of Victor Harbor and the opportunity to spot southern right whales from May to October await.

Near the former wharf site, a calm beach provides a splendid location for swimming, while surfers seek the challenging waves on the south-facing side of the headland.

13. Warland Reserve

Adjacent to the causeway and enveloped by the various shops and restaurants of the Ocean Street Precinct, Warland Reserve provides a refreshing expanse of greenery for contemplation.

Its central location makes Warland Reserve a popular venue for outdoor events, ranging from markets to live performances and New Year celebrations.

For those seeking solace, the reserve features a shaded pathway, ample space for relaxation, barbecue facilities, and playgrounds designed for children of various ages.

One of Victor Harbor’s landmarks, a fountain showcasing a breaching whale tail sculpted by Silvio Apponyi in 1993, is also located here.

14. Victor Harbor Station Master’s Residence

A significant testament to Encounter Bay’s 19th-century history, this National Trust building situated by Warland Reserve once served as a Customs House and Station Master’s Residence constructed in 1866. The house is furnished with period artifacts, including furniture, decorative arts, and black-and-white photographs of Victor Harbor.

The interpretive center offers three galleries that delve into various aspects of local history, such as the dreamtime stories of the Ramindjeri clan, the historic meeting of Flinders and Baudin in 1802, the whaling industry, the challenges faced by early settlers, and contemporary development.

15. Seal Island Cruise

Approximately 2.5 kilometers southeast of Granite Island lies Seal Rock, a small granite formation roughly one hectare in size, reaching a height of 12 meters.

This site is compelling due to its diverse wildlife, which visitors can encounter on a 45-minute cruise.

This excursion, available through GetYourGuide.com, begins by circling Granite Island, passing the historic horse-drawn tram and the Screw Pile Jetty, before continuing to the smaller island.

As the name suggests, seals, as well as sea lions, can often be spotted here.

Other wildlife that may occasionally appear includes common and bottlenose dolphins, in addition to various aquatic birds such as cormorants, petrels, and shearwaters.