Beachside with the Family

Five Days Beachside with the Family

Escape the city and reconnect with your loved ones with a beachside family holiday in Victor Harbor and Encounter Bay, only an hour away from Adelaide. Breath in the fresh sea air and dig your toes into the pure white sand in one of the many pristine beaches along our famous Fleurieu coastline.

Enjoy the family friendly hospitality and the and the seaside charm of the Victor Harbor township and the many family friendly activities that this region has to offer. Victor Harbor is the perfect destination to make long lasting memories on a beachside family holiday.

Take a short stroll or horse tram ride over the wooden causeway that connects the mainland at Victor Harbor to Granite Island Recreation Park.

The island is characterised by huge granite boulders tinged with orange lichen, with the sound of waves crashing against rocky shores a stirring soundtrack to your visit.

Enjoy the coastal scenery and discover the island’s interesting history along the Kaiki Walk or go fishing from the jetty, or causeway (no fishing from breakwater). You may even spot a southern right whale between June and October.

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Day One

Stop one

Start your day with a full breakfast and great coffee at Nino’s or Brunch on Albert in the main township of Victor Harbor ready for a full day ahead. Take a short stroll across Warland Reserve, passed the whale tail fountain and head toward the causeway linking the mainland to Granite Island Recreation Park. Board the historical Horse Drawn Tram pulled by our beautiful Clydesdales across to the island or take a short stroll across the causeway and take in the views of the seascape and the fresh sea air. Take a walk around Granite Island, characterised by it’s large granite boulders tinged with orange lichen and crashing waves. Stop along the lookouts to enjoy the scenic views back to Victor Harbor and along the coast. You may even spot a Humpback or Southern Wright Whale between June and October.

Stop two

After your nature walk around Granite Island, head back across the causeway and refuel with the variety of food stalls positioned around the causeway and Warland Reserve. Choose from fish and chips, strawberries and cream, hot cinnamon donuts or German hot dogs. If a local Ice creamery is more your thing, head over to Everest Ice cream for flavours galore. To get your bearings and appreciate the elongated coast line of this region, take a drive to the top of the Bluff (also known as Rosetta Head and Longkuwar by the Ramindjeri people). The Bluff is situated in Encounter Bay and sits 97 metres above Sea Level. It offers spectacular 360 degree views of Granite Island, Kings Head and all the way from the East to the South-West of the shoreline. The Bluff is also home to Whalers, a casual beachside dining experience which stunning views back towards Granite Island and the Victor Harbor Mainland. Taste the local seafood and enjoy the local wine from our Fleurieu Peninsular while you sit back and take in the breathtaking views of the ocean and landmarks.

Day Two

Stop one

Start your day at one of our newest eateries in Victor Harbor, Mum’s Beard. This café is just one of the many places contributing to the new foodie scene in Victor Harbor. Enjoy breakfast with a difference and an extra-large coffee to set you up for the day.

Stop two

Next, explore the region from sea with on board a Big Duck Boat Tour with your choice of a 45 minute or 90 minute journey on the water where you will visit Seal Rock, known for it’s Long Nosed Fur Seals and Australia Sea Lions, Wright Island and along the Bluff while listening to guided talks of the marine life and rich whaling history. This is a great way to explore Victor Harbor’s, otherwise difficult to get to, islands and marine life. During the winter months in whale season, Big Duck also provide tours to the Encounter Marine Park where they often encounter Humpback Whales and Southern Wright Whales on their yearly migration from Antarctica. Big Duck Tours depart from the Causeway on the way to Granite Island.

Stop three

If you are here on the weekend, pick up some local delights at out our local Farmers Market on every Saturday morning in Grosvenor Gardens or the Beach Side Markets every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month.

Stop four

Pack your bikes and take a seaside ride on the Encounter Bikeway, a shared trail that links the close by towns. If you don’t have your own, Spinway Bike Hire can provide you with some wheels. If riding isn’t your thing, take the family to the local amusement rides at the fun fair just near the causeway on-site throughout the South Australian School Holidays and most long weekends and public holidays. Enjoy a family friendly match at Dunes Mini Golf Park situated by the causeway and overlooking Granite Island. They open every day and even nights through the summer holiday period.

Stop five

To keep the whole family entertained, head to Urimbirra Wildlife Experience, just 5km outside the centre of Victor Harbor, where you can see more than 70 species of Australian fauna in their natural surroundings. Pet and feed the Kangaroos and Wallabys as they roam free on the grounds. Visit the Salty crocodiles, snakes, an array of reptiles and stunning birdlife on offer. Get up close with a Koala with koala encounters at 11am, 2pm and 4 pm and Snake handling displays at 4pm.

Stop six

After a full day of activities, take the family to Loco’s, a family friendly award-winning Mexican restaurant in the heart of Victor. Enjoy a cocktail or two while you share your newly created memories. If a pub meal is more your style, head to one of our local hotels offering a range of traditional pub meals and of course, local wine and beer on tap. The Crowne Plaza, Grosvenor Hotel and the Hotel Victor are all situated n the heart of Victor Harbor and open seven days a week.

Loco Mexican By George Parker Photography Itinerary

Stop seven

If your day is still not finished, why not check out what is on at the local Victa Cinema. With it’s historical art deco façade and traditional choc tops, this cinema experience will make you feel like you have stepped back in time. Victa Cinema is located on Ocean Street in Victor Harbor. Latest films can be seen every night of the week except Mondays and Tuesdays (open every day during School holidays).

Day Three

Stop one

Start your day off beachside with a healthy or full breakfast at Qahwa (kah-wa) Coffee Roasters, just on the Foreshore, on Bridge Terrace. Sit back and enjoy your coffee while the kids play in the sand on the volley ball courts. Qahwa offers breakfast with a difference and caters for many dietary tastes.

Stop two

Head out for a day full of adventure with a genuine Alpaca Farm experience at Soft Foot Alpaca Farm only 12 minutes by car from centre Victor Harbor. Soft Foot Alpaca Farm is a Sanctuary and Genetic Ark for endangered Australian Marsupials and a large forestry project aimed at reducing our carbon footprint. Explore the dynamic country side and native wildlife in the 4×4 Terrain buggies and meet the world class alpacas and rare endangered marsupials in the purpose built enclosures. Spot Kangaroos and Koalas in their natural environment while you learn about life on an alpaca farm.

The Soft Foot Alpaca Farm offers private farms tours throughout the day and nocturnal adventures after dark. They also offer luxury accommodation on site in their tranquil retreats nestled in Softfoot’s bushland.

Onsite at the Soft Foot Alpaca Farm is the award winning Swagman Country Dining @ Softfoot restaurant. Swagman Country Dining is a ‘slow food experience. Take the time to savour lunch or dinner with lovingly prepared food with a difference.
This experience offers regionally sourced meats, seafood and produce are flame grilled and topped with the unique flavours of the Australian bush.
Swagman Country Dining @ Softfoot is open for lunch on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 12pm – 4pm and dinner on Friday & Saturday – 6pm – 10pm.

Stop three

After a full day on the farm it might be tie to relax and enjoy the local beaches of Victor Harbor and surrounds. Encounter Bay is a great place for an afternoon with the family. The long sandy beaches and shallow waters make it an ideal place for the family to enjoy. Dip your toes in the water or take a walk along the beach while enjoying the views of the bluff and surrounding islands.

Stop four

For an afternoon snack, coffee or even an ice-cream, head over to Yilki Café just across from the beach in Encounter Bay. If you would like something more substantial, check out the Beach house, a favourite hang-out for locals with a licensed bar with pizzas and Indian cuisine on the menu. Look out for the musicians playing. This hidden gem is known for hosting popular musicians with gigs going late into the evenings.

Day Four

Stop one

For today’s breakfast, why not head down to the Causeway Café where you can sit in or out while you watch the Clydesdales getting ready for their day ahead.

Stop two

Next, cross the road head passed the Whale Centre and along Railway Plaza toward the Victor Harbor Train station. This railway is home to the Cockle Train which travels along oldest steel railway in Australia dating back to 1854. This is a great way to travel, enjoy the coastal views and explore the surrounding towns.

Five Days Beachside with the Family

Itineraries

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