Discover the colours of country

Nangawooka Flora Reserve is another springtime favourite. A pocket of native garden where flowering gums, hakeas and grevilleas put on a vibrant seasonal display. Birds flit between branches, and if you take a slow lap of the walking trail, you might spot a sleepy lizard sunning itself on the path. Bring your camera, a cappuccino or just a quiet mind – it’s an easy place to lose time.

Further afield, the Heysen Trail begins to shine in spring. Choose a section that suits your pace – maybe a coastal cliff walk with ocean views, or a shaded bush segment where the crunch of leaf litter underfoot is the only sound you’ll hear.

For something more structured (and tough!), the Heysen 105 Ultra Marathon runs in October and is a serious challenge for trail runners keen to test their limits on some of South Australia’s most scenic terrain.

Where the wild things are: Winter Whale Fest

Winter also brings with it one of Victor Harbor’s greatest natural spectacles: the arrival of the Southern Right Whales. Each year, these gentle giants make their way from the frigid waters of Antarctica to our comparatively calm bays and coves.

From June to August, Encounter Bay becomes a living documentary. On any given day, you might spot mothers and calves cruising just beyond the surf, tails flicking above the waves.

To celebrate, the town comes alive with Winter Whale Fest – a month-long program of over 25 events that celebrates marine life, culture, science and community.

Join the Welcoming of the Whales ceremony and learn about the Ngarrindjeri story of Kondoli, the whale who gave fire to the people. Create your own glowing sea creature lantern in one of the Kondoli Lantern Workshops, then join the lantern parade through the town. Head out on whale walks with Fleurieu Marine Education, or go even deeper at the SA Whale Centre, where interactive exhibits explore the ocean’s mysteries.

For the truly adventurous, book a Big Duck Boat Tour and get out among the action. Seals, dolphins, sea lions and whales are all part of the show, backed by the stunning theatre of the Southern Ocean in winter.

A meeting place of stories and saltwater

Water People 2025: Water on Country runs from June 6 to July 31 at Coral Street Art Space and brings together an extraordinary group of First Nations artists with diverse relationships to water – whether from desert communities, coastal regions, islands or river country.

‘Regardless of where mob is in Australia, whether it’s central or coastal, we have some sort of connection to water,’ Amanda says.

‘It fascinates me that, although each mob is different, they’re all brought together, linked somehow by water. That’s the main vision for the show.’

She’s worked closely with artists and communities from across the country to bring this exhibition to life – including artists from Manupi Arts on the Tiwi Islands, and the Pormpuraaw mob near Cairns, who craft stunning sculptures known as ghost nets from discarded ocean debris.

‘I just love that their connection with water is so different. They collect the nets left behind in the ocean by illegal fishing and turn them into these beautiful sculptures.’

Closer to home, the show also provides a platform for some less well-known (but no less talented) Ngarrindjeri artists who are producing exciting new works.

Amanda is keen to give local audiences opportunities that aren’t often afforded to small town galleries – both to see the works of nationally significant artists, as well as to discover the work of lower profile local artists with whom they may not be familiar.

‘Some of the artists in this show are represented in massive galleries all over the world,’ Amanda says, ‘so it’s really exciting to show their work in Victor Harbor.

‘Small towns sometimes miss out on the sort of art you’ll see in Water People this year, so it’s really special that the town gets to experience it.’

Upon arrival to town, the iconic Horse Drawn Tram is calling – a local tradition that’s been running since the late 1800s. As the Clydesdale’s hooves clip-clop across the newly built Causeway, Australia’s longest continuous Indigenous public artworks tell the Ngarrindjeri Kondoli story. It’s a reminder that this place holds stories that span thousands of years.

The journey to Granite Island – also reached by foot – is humbling; the ocean dances on both sides of the causeway, seabirds squark overhead, and it’s hard not to marvel at the island’s accessibility. Once on the island, a walking loop reveals lichen-covered granite boulders and dramatic coastal views. On this clear day, the wild Coorong is visible on the horizon, while The Bluff – or Longkuwar to the Ramindjeri/Ngarrindjeri people – rises above the ocean at the other end of Encounter Bay; a towering presence that invites adventure and connection.

Nearby, passengers disembark The Big Duck Tours vessel; smiles grinning as wide as the bay. Excited chatter fills the group of tourists, who’ve just glimpsed a whale gliding through the cool waters.

Adventure and tranquillity in perfect balance

Victor Harbor is famed for its dramatic coastlines, long beaches, and breezy summer days, but what truly sets it apart is the diversity of experiences on offer. From wild nature to urban creativity, the region invites every kind of traveller to find their rhythm.

Adventurers can lean into the thrill of abseiling off the Bluff, ride quad bikes through the windswept hills of Waitpinga Farm, or throw axes at Chop It – South Australia’s top-rated activity.

Cyclists can take to the Encounter Bikeway, a coastal trail that winds through charming neighbouring towns like Port Elliot and Middleton, while ocean-lovers can try surfing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.

Looking for a little nostalgia? Ride the only horse-drawn tram in Australia across to spectacular Granite Island, or catch the steam-powered Cockle Train along the rugged coastline.

Prefer something more low-key? Cast a line off the jetty or play a round of golf with a view. Get hands-on with culture at the Coral Street Art Space, or take a self-guided journey along the Art Trail, with pieces that speak to the town’s heritage, spirit and vision for the future.