Fleurieu Peninsula
Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot, Fleurieu Peninsula, SA. Photo credit: Graham Scheer/South Australian Tourism Commission
Fleurieu Peninsula
There’s a wonderful mix of outdoor life along the Fleurieu Peninsula. Explore beaches, fertile vineyards, wild bushland and the mighty Murray Mouth (where the Murray River meets the ocean) make for a landscape just begging to be explored.
Things to see on the Fleurieu Peninsula
Whale Watching
You’ll be able to spot southern right whales and their calves from as early as May. Viewing opportunities will last until October, but are most likely between July and September.
Middleton, Port Elliot, and Victor Harbor are the best viewpoints for what is unquestionably one of the most majestic things to see on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Port Elliot’s Horseshoe Bay also attracts dolphins.
Victor Harbor
Walk the causeway or ride the antique horse-drawn tram to Granite Island and see the Little Penguins, also known as Fairy Penguins.
Surfing
Middleton and Goolwa are ideal for rookies and mid-level surfers exporing the waters of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Pro surfers may prefer the waves at Southport, Boomer Beach, Waitpinga and Chiton Rocks.
There are plenty of good places to fish at Goolwa, while the nearby lakes seem made for boating.
Diving
Fleurieu Peninsula diving holidays are increasingly popular due to the shipwrecks that pepper the coastline. At Rapid Bay you’ll find the wreck of HMAS Hobart. The Star of Greece lies off the coast of Port Willunga.
There are other notable wrecks at the reefs off Port Noarlunga, Aldinga, Victor Harbor and Second Valley.
Deep Creek Conservation Park and Heysen Trail
Easy, medium and hard walks criss-cross the 45km2 of bush land near the tip of the peninsula. From the cliffs which overlook the Southern Ocean you may be able to spot Kangaroo Island, separated from the mainland by the Backstairs Passage strait.
The 1200km Heysen Trail runs from the Flinders Ranges, through Adelaide Hills and Deep Creek before reaching its end at Cape Jervis. A variety of shorter walks within the park take advantage of sections of this trail.
There are plenty of places to stay in Deep Creek, from private cottages and retreat accommodation to caravan and camping sites.
Hire a car on the Fleurieu Peninsula
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Grape expectations – the wine of Fleurieu
Fleurieu Peninsula boasts plenty of wine regions and sub regions:
McLaren Vale
John Reynell planted the first vines in this area in 1838 (in what became known as Reynella). The region is famed for its Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
McLaren Vale township
Few names in Australian wine are as renowned as Thomas Hardy. Hardy began as an employee of John Reynell, and you’ll find his winery, Tintara, along the main street. The Tatachilla Reserve is also here.
Willunga
The rolling hills just south of McLaren Vale township are the Willunga Plains, famed for their Shiraz, Cabernet, Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc.
Langhorne Creek
Winds from the Murray Mouth’s Alexandrina Lake create prime conditions for the local Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz which make up about 70% of all that is grown here.
Of the whites, you must try the Verdelho, a speciality of the region.
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