Family Weekend on the South Coast
Wildlife, beaches and a steam train
Two days, all the classics
The south coast of the Fleurieu is built for family weekends. This itinerary bounces between the three things kids actually want: animals, beaches and something to ride. It works from a base in Victor Harbor, Port Elliot or Goolwa - anywhere between the three keeps driving to a minimum.
When to go
Autumn and spring are the sweet spots. Summer is busy and hot; winter is cold but the whales are in the bay (a bonus day from The Bluff).
Where to stay
A short-term rental in Port Elliot or Victor Harbor is the easiest base. Book early for school holidays.
Day 1
4 stops-
1Victor Harbor
Urimbirra Open-Range Wildlife Park
Start here on Saturday morning. Kids can hand-feed kangaroos, see wombats and spend a good hour before lunch.
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2Victor Harbor
Granite Island
Cross the causeway on the horse-drawn tram. Do the Kaiki Walk for seals on the way around.
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3Victor Harbor
Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram
The ride across itself is the experience - one of the last horse-drawn trams in the world.
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4Port Elliot
Horseshoe Bay
Finish the day at Horseshoe Bay. Safe swimming beach, fish and chips, playground, all in walking distance.
Day 2
3 stops-
1Goolwa
SteamRanger Cockle Train
Sunday morning: catch the historic Cockle Train from Goolwa to Victor Harbor (or vice versa). Best done from Goolwa.
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2Goolwa
Goolwa Wharf Rotary Market
If it is the 1st or 3rd Sunday of the month, the Wharf Market runs on until 2pm. Otherwise, Signal Point Gallery is a good wet-weather backup.
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3Port Elliot
Middleton Beach
Afternoon: grab an ice cream and walk Middleton Beach, the best learn-to-surf beach on the Fleurieu. Book a lesson if the kids are up for it.
On the map
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The Encounter: when Flinders met Baudin in Encounter Bay
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When the whales return: the opening of the Fleurieu whale season
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Two horsepower: the tram to Granite Island
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The Cockle Train: Australia's first public railway
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When Goolwa was an inland port
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Image credits
- Victor Harbor as viewed from Granite Island by Eddal , CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons