Vacationers come to Victor Harbor to swim, surf, or sunbathe at the beaches; walk or cycle the many coastal trails; and enjoy outdoor activities—from ATV excursions to sea kayaking. Take a ride along the coast on one of the heritage SteamRanger trains; visit the South Australian Whale Centre; then walk or catch a horse-drawn tram across the causeway to Granite Island, home to a colony of wild Little Penguins. To explore further, boat cruises set sail from Granite Island to Seal Island and Wright Island along the Fleurieu Peninsula—where wildlife sightings include seals, sea lions, and bottlenose dolphins.
Victor Harbor is located about 53 miles (85 kilometers) south of Adelaide, along the Fleurieu Peninsula. It’s just over an hour’s drive from the city. Buses run several times a week from Adelaide Central Bus Station station to Victor Harbor; about a 1-hour 40-minute journey.
Summertime—December through February—sees crowds of locals and travelers descend on Victor Harbor, and it’s best to book accommodation and tours well in advance if visiting over this period. Look out for migrating Southern right whales along the coast from May through October.
Stretching south of Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula is home to some of South Australia’s most impressive coastline, lined with sandy beaches and lively seaside resorts. Victor Harbor makes an ideal base from which to explore. Head north to enjoy wine tasting in the McLaren Vale wine region; set sail along the Murray River, the longest in Australia; hit the beach at Port Willunga, Yankalilla, or Normanville; or spot wild kangaroos and exotic birds at the Deep Creek Conservation Park.