The Top Things to do in Victor Harbor

Location: Esplanade, Victor Harbor, SA

An iconic activity in the Victor Harbor region, the Victor Harbor Tramway has been ferrying people by horse drawn tram carriage to and from Granite Island since 1894.

Combining transport and excitement, this is a great adventure for all ages to enjoy, especially the young ones.

The tram makes the journey across multiple times a day every day of the year, so no matter when you visit you’re sure to have the chance to jump on board.

This is the only horse-drawn tramway in Australia in operation and it is estimated that more than 2 million passengers have travelled on it since 1986.

The journey across to the island is on a 630-metre long boardwalk that you can also walk across if you don’t want to catch the tram.

With the same double-decker design that was first built all those years ago, this is a historic activity to enjoy in Victor Harbor and an incredible scenic one as it journeys over to the beautiful Granite Island.

Location: Granite Island, SA

Granite Island is known for its wildlife, especially the adorable little penguins that live on the shores of the island.

As they are wild, their presence isn’t guaranteed, however, if you do not happen to glimpse these gorgeous animals you won’t be disappointed by the coastal scenery.

The island is also a popular whale-watching destination during their annual migration season with Humpback Whales spotted and Southern Right Whales staying here longer to breed and birth their calfs..

Granite Island is known for its wildlife, especially the penguins and southern right whales, however, if you do not happen to glimpse these animals you won't be disappointed by the beautiful coastal scenery.

Be sure to bring your camera to capture the sight of whales breaching and tail slapping in the waters surrounding the island.

If you’re visiting during the warmer months, there are a number of exciting things to see and do including walking on the various trails, swimming off the beach and throwing a line in to catch a fish.

Getting to Granite Island is also a journey in itself, and is our number one thing to do in the Victor Harbor region.

Location: The Esplanade, Soldiers Memorial Reserve,Victor Harbor

Offering visitors the perfect place to meet some locals while enjoying the beautiful views and purchasing some delicious fresh produce, the Victor Harbor Country Market is a family-friendly marketplace held twice a month.

Setting up on the 2nd and last Sunday of every month (except January, when it runs every Sunday), the markets are open to the public from 9 am until 4 pm during the summer months and 9 am to 3 pm in the winter months.

The seaside markets are the perfect leisurely activity to do on a Sunday morning irrespective of whether you are a visitor or a local and are open all day on selected Sundays of the month.

With stalls selling a range of goods from jewellery and clothing to hot food and freshly brewed coffee, you could easily spend the whole morning or afternoon wandering around the stalls.

The Victor Harbor Country Market is located on the beachfront lawns opposite Hotel Victor.

Location: Deep Creek Conservation Park,SA

The largest remaining natural vegetation in the Fleurieu Peninsula region, Deep Creek Conservation Park features a range of local wildlife and beautiful scenery that looks as though it’s straight off a postcard.

Exploring the park is a definite must for visitors to the region, and doing so is easy thanks to the five campgrounds spread throughout the park, four of which are easily accessible with two wheel drives.

Deep Creek Conservation Park features a range of local wildlife and beautiful scenery that looks as though it's straight off a postcard.

Once you’re in the park, you can choose to follow one, or a few, of the 15 different walking trails. Each trail offers some incredible views of the surrounding region, including views of Kangaroo Island, Backstairs Passage and Deep Creek Valley.

The walks range in difficulty, so make sure you’re fully prepared before embarking on a walk.

Location: Talisker Conservation Park

A protected park, the Talisker Conservation Park is the perfect place to lace up your hiking shoes and embark on an adventure.

The park offers visitors a number of scenic walking trails to choose from, each varying in length and difficulty.

Those looking to take it easy should follow one of the four easy trails:

Stringybark Loop Walk: 1.5km return

Forest Circuit Walk: 2.6km return

Goondooloo Ridge Walk: 4km return

Spring Wildflower Walk: 5km return

If you’re up for a bit more of a challenge, three moderate grad hikes are suitable for bushwalkers with an average level of fitness. Choose from the following:

Talisker Silver Lead Mine Hike: 3km return

Deep Creek Waterfall Hike from Tent Rock Road: 3.5km return

Deep Creek Cove Hike from Trig Picnic Area: 6.4km return

Aaron Creek Circuit Hike: 5.5km return

If these all sound a little tame to you and you have a reasonable level of fitness and some experience hiking, then choose from one of the following trails:

Deep Creek Cove Hike from Tapanappa Lookout: 3.4km return

Blowhole Beach Hike: 3km return

Blowhole Beach to Cobbler Hill Marrano Creek Hike: 6.7km return

Deep Creek Waterfall Hike from Tapanappa Lookout: 7km return

Boat Harbor Circuit Hike: 7.3km return

Aaron Creek Hike: 11km return

Deep Creek Circuit Hike: 10.9km return

Location: Beach Rd, Goolwa Beach, SA

A popular surfing beach just off the South Australian coast, Goolwa Beach is a long, clean and pristine beach catering to beach dwellers and surfers.

Perfect for beginner to advanced surfers, there is a different part of the beach to suit a range of expertise and skill levels.

The beach itself is relatively uncrowded, however, on a good day, you’ll often find hoards of board-carrying visitors running into the water to try and catch the perfect wave.

Goolwa Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in the region and indeed South Australia overlooking Encounter Bay.

Different sections of the beach offer different experiences, with some pockets offering quality 3 to 5-foot surf breaks that you might even have all to yourself.

Middleton beach near Goolwa is an ever-popular spot for aspiring surfers and first-timers looking to learn the craft, while more advanced riders can venture further afield to the Yorke Peninsula that boasts a number of quality reef and beach breaks intermingled with calmer sections.

With a range of spots to choose from including Pondalowie Bay, Richards, Salmon Hole, Chinaman’s and more, there are enough available breaks in the region to enjoy a quality ride all year round.

Location: 10 Welch Road, Victor Harbor

Located in the Hindmarsh Valley, Urimbirra Open-Range Wildlife Park is home to more than 400 native Australian animals including dingoes, crocodiles, wallabies, wombats and koalas.

As you wander around the park, you’ll also see some alpacas, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs and chooks.

This is a wildlife park that not only has large enclosures for the animals to freely roam but personal human interactions with humans are welcomed here.

While at the park, you can hand-feed kangaroos, walk through the rainbow lorikeet aviary, meet a koala or handle a snake.

A great family owned and operated business, Urimbirra Wildlife Park is a great attraction for the whole family to enjoy.

Location: Fleurieu Peninsula, SA

The Fleurieu Peninsula region and Victor Harbor itself offer wine-loving visitors the chance to taste some of the highest quality wines produced in the area.

The Peninsula is home to two of the best wine regions in the world; Langhorne Creek Wine Region and McLaren Vale Wine Region, both of which are in close proximity to Victor Harbor.

The Peninsula is home to two of the best wine regions in the world; Langhorne Creek Wine Region and McLaren Vale Wine Region, both of which are in close proximity to Victor Harbor.

McLaren Vale Wine Region is the closest to Victor Harbor, just a 40-minute drive north, and is famous for its Shiraz.

Visiting some of the local, boutique wineries in the region is a definite must if you’re looking to take full advantage of South Australia’s thriving food and wine scene.

No matter if you visit some of the cellar doors and vineyards on your own accord, or with an organised tour, you won’t be disappointed.

Location: 2 Railway Terrace, Victor Harbor,SA

Learn all you’ll ever need to know about whales with a visit to the South Australia Whale Centre.

An educational attraction, the centre is great for all ages to enjoy and features a number of informative exhibits, displays and artefacts.

The Victor Harbor region has a rich whaling history, which is all documented in the SA Whale Centre.

The historical old railway goods shed was revitalised and repurposed into what is now the SA Whale Centre opening in 1994.

The museum still features one of its original exhibits- The Sperm Whale Vertebrae- which leaves visitors in awe.

You could easily spend the whole day wandering around the centre enjoying all it has to offer including a 3D theatre and Kidz Zone for the young ones to enjoy, and a gift shop selling souvenirs for the day.

The centre is open daily (except for Christmas Day) from 10:30am until 5pm with entry to the park less than $20 per person.

Location: Hindmarsh Falls Rd, Hindmarsh Valley, SA

Follow the easy grade trail to Hindmarsh Falls in the Victor Harbor region for a day of relaxed sightseeing.

The short loop trail takes around 10 minutes to complete and stretches around 200 metres.

The falls itself is a 20 to 25-metre waterfall cascading down into various pools.

Hindmarsh Falls are well worth a visit and is included amongst South Australia's top 10 best waterfall walks in the state.

The area surrounding the falls is complete with two parking lots and a picnic area, allowing you to extend your visit over lunch.

Hindmarsh Falls is reached via a short drive from central Victor Harbor along Adelaide Road towards Mount Compass.