Destinations > South Australia > Fleurieu Peninsula

Fleurieu Peninsula

Situated less than an hour south of Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula encompasses the McLaren Vale vineyards and the seaside resort towns of Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor.

The Fleurieu Peninsula makes either a pleasant detour or a day-trip from Adelaide.

Cape Jervis

Most travellers see Cape Jervis as the departure point for the ferry to Kangaroo Island although the small town is also a popular weekend destination for people from Adelaide.

Coming & Going

Cape Jervis is connected to Adelaide by an infrequent bus. There are only two daily coach services between Adelaide and Cape Jervis. They depart Adelaide at 6.45am and 3.45pm and return from Cape Jervis at 9.40am and 8.30pm. This is run by Sealink (tel 13 13 01; website www.sealink.com.au) and it connects with Sealink's ferry to Kangaroo­ Island. See the Kangaroo Island section on page 244-47 for more information about the ferry between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw.

Accommodation

Cape Jervis Station

Main Road, Cape Jervis

Tel (08) 8598 0288

McLaren Vale

After the Barossa Valley and Coonawarra, this is one of South Australia's main wine producing regions. There are more than 45 wineries in McLaren Vale including Andrew Garret Wines, Hardy's and Wirra Wirra. It is a good place to stop over en route from Adelaide to either Victor Harbor or Kangaroo Island.

Practical Information

McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre

Main Road, McLaren Vale

Tel (08) 8323 9944

Open 10am-5pm daily

Coming & Going & Local Transport

With only three daily buses to McLaren Vale from Adelaide and infrequent transportation within the region, driving is the easiest way to get around, but whoever is driving will have to keep off the booze since the police often operate random breath tests in wine tasting regions.

Coming from Adelaide, follow Main South Road until you see signs to McLaren Vale.

Victor Harbor

Victor Harbor is a popular weekend destination for people from Adelaide. It is a nice town with plenty of old colonial architecture and good pubs and fish and chip shops. The main attraction here is whale and penguin watching although there are plenty of other attractions ranging from camel rides on the beach to vintage horse-drawn tram rides across the causeway to Granite Island.

It is believed that the American spelling of Victor Harbor, and South Australia's other two 'harbors' is a result of a spelling mistake made by an early surveyor general of South Australia.

Practical Information

Victor Harbor Visitor Information Centre

Causeway, Esplanade, Victor Harbor

Tel (08) 8552 5738

Open 9am-5pm daily

INTERNET ACCESS

Towncrier Internet Café

17 Counter Road, Goolwa Beach

Tel (08) 8555 1443

Open Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 1pm-10pm

Coming & Going

Premier Stateliner (tel (08) 8415 5555) runs two daily coach services between Adelaide's central bus station and Victor Harbor.

Every Sunday steam trains run between Victor Harbour (note the train station is spelt with the 'u'), Port Elliot and Goolwa.

Accommodation

Grosvenor Hotel

40 Ocean Street, Victor Harbor

Tel (08) 8552 1011

Sights

Granite Island & Penguin Watching

The main attraction here is the penguin watching every night although the island is also a nice excursion during the day as well. Access is by either a horse-drawn tram ($2) or a short walk across the causeway.

Granite Island, Victor Harbor

Tel (08) 8552 7555

Website www.graniteisland.com.au

Guided penguin spotting walks $10

Penguin spotting walks depart from the island side of the causeway every night at dusk

South Australian Whale Centre

This is the place to come to find out all about marine mammals and get further information on whale watching.

2 Railway Terrace, Victor Harbor

Tel (08) 8552 5644

Website www.sawhalecentre.com

Admission $6

Open 11am-4.30pm daily