Whether watching whales, investigating antiques or sampling the local catch, this coastal town is an enticing escape all year round.
Mention Victor Harbor to any South Australian and evoke fond memories of fish and chips on the beach and trips on the horsedrawn tram across to Granite Island. Little more than an hour’s drive south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula, “Victor” has been a popular seaside holiday destination and weekend getaway for generations.
Today the town has more to offer the visitor than ever, with a diverse array of accommodation and a growing number of activities and attractions on land and water. Being located in one of South Australia’s premier produce areas ensures a range of excellent dining experiences and the farmers’ market in town showcases a bounty of fresh local produce. To top things off, the cellar doors of the McLaren Vale wine region are just a short drive away.
Victor Harbor has long been renowned as a summer holiday destination, but it is also becoming a popular winter escape. With abundant marine life, Encounter Bay is one of Australia’s foremost whale-watching locations from July to October, when southern right whales migrate north to breed. The South Australian Whale Centre re-opened last year after a makeover, giving visitors even more reason for a winter sojourn.
A few kilometres east, the seaside village of Port Elliot has maintained its old-world feel with cafes and antique shops. It is also a popular base for walkers and cyclists, with self-guided walks along cliff-top paths and the Encounter Bikeway, a bike trail linking Port Elliot to Victor and extending east past surf beaches to Goolwa. The coastal scenery is superb.
The towns are also linked by the historic Cockle Train. In the early 1900s, daytrippers took the horse-drawn train to collect cockles from beaches near the mouth of the Murray, giving the train its name.
Stay
The Summer House
Port Elliot Boutique Escapes, 7 Charlotte Street, Port Elliot.
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Unwind Holidays
Authenticity Health & Wellnes Retreat
14-30 Waterport Road, Port Elliot.
See & Do
Granite Island Recreation & Nature Park
+61 8 8552 7555.
Alexandria Cheese Company
Sneyd Road, Mount Jagged.
+61 8 8554 9666.
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South Australian Whale Centre
2 Railway Terrace, Victor Harbor.
+61 8 8551 0750.
Victor Harbour Farmers Market
Grosvenor Gardens, Victor Harbor.
South Coast Surf Academy
Middleton.
+61 414 341 545.
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Eat & Drink
Flying Fish Cafe
No.1 The Foreshore, Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot.
+61 8 8554 3504.
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Beach House Cafe
62 Franklin Parade, Victor Harbor.
+61 8 8552 4417.
Waterside Restaurant
Whalers Inn Resort, 121 Franklin Parade, Victor Harbor.
+61 8 8552 4400.
Source: Qantas The Australian Way November 2009