History & Heritage Archives

Sparking curiosity of the maritime world through exciting and engaging educational programs

Fleurieu Marine Education provides programs that aim to create stewards of the ocean in each young heart.

Our team put on fun and exciting educational marine programs that cover Australian curriculum content. By getting children outside we show them the wonders of the sea around the Fleurieu Peninsula: what marine life is found here, and how can we help them survive. We want all children to develop a love for our planet.

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Fleurieu Marine Education Gallery Amazing Marine Animals

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Opening Hours

By Arrangement

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Self check-in

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Town Centre Heritage Trail

This 3km self-guided heritage trail will take you on a journey to discover the stories of 38 historically significant buildings located in the town centre and how they have contributed to making Victor Harbor what it is today.

Since 2010, the City of Victor Harbor has identified many State and Local Heritage Listed Buildings and provided them with a blue heritage plaque. There are over 50 plaques, each one promoting and informing the community and visitors of our rich and diverse built heritage. Please enjoy your adventure in finding these plaques on our heritage trail and learning more about our town!

Length: 3km circuit
Grade: Easy
Start : Victor Harbor Visitor Information Centre, 1 Esplanade.
Finish: No. 38 Shannon’s Store, Ocean Street.

Download the map and brochure, or visit the Victor Harbor Visitor Information Centre or Council office to collect a map.

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Heritage Discovery Trail Victor Harbor

Victor Harbor has a rich and diverse history, with stories told through many of our built heritage places.

A number of places of historical interest have been identified, and their stories told for people to enjoy, within the City of Victor Harbor’s heritage plaque project.

The project, which commenced in 2010, has resulted in the stories of over 50 sites of heritage significance translated onto the iconic blue plaques.

A map provides the location and a brief overview of sites outside of the Victor Harbor Town Centre.

The vision for this trail is that you can choose to complete it all at once or, see the sites over a number of visits, whatever suits you best.

Enjoy learning more about these buildings and sites, soaking up Victor Harbor’s rich history, and rediscovering the stunning architecture of our past.

There is another walking Heritage Trail available around our town centre that you may also enjoy – pick up a ‘Victor Harbor Town Centre Heritage Trail’ brochure from the Visitor Information Centre on your next historic journey.

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Outer Town Heritage Trail A3 Roll Fold Page2 Image1

15. St Joan Of Arc Church B 735 State Library Of Sa

Outer Town Heritage Trail A3 Roll Fold Page2 Image9

Key Facilities

Type of trail

Self Guided walking trail through Victor Harbor's most historic precints.

Easy walking

As the walk is through the streets of Victor Harbbor, this is very flat and easily accessible.

What you will see

You will see and learn about Victor Harbor's rich history and the buildings that make up it's history.

What we love

We love our history and we love sharing it with our visitors.

Location

Watch as the Digital Art installation Comes alive

In 2016 Victor Harbor installed South Australia’s first permanent architectural projection system with the expertise of illuminart and Mosaic AV, which illuminates digital art pieces on to the historic facade of the art deco Victa Cinema.

As Victor Harbor has a close relationship with whales, primarily Southern Right whales, also Blue Whales, Humpbacks, Sperm Whales and Orca are known to visit the Harbor annually to give birth, and are central to the town’s tourist industry, illuminart was commissioned to create the first digital art piece around the whale theme.
The result……a stunning, colourful and mesmorising piece called ‘Cosmic Whale Song’.

As illuminart describes it…..“In a seamless shift of context and location, atmospheric effervescence and covert costume changes, the whales in familiar waters appear to evolve into cosmic space-whales blazing through the stars in a psychedelic swirl of mind bending majesty!”

The second piece ‘The Ripple Effect’ was created by local artist Margaret Worth.
“I am interested in energy – from gravitational waves through the cosmos to the micro vibrations in nerve endings through the body. For the project I wanted to give shape to the energies of this place, my home – Victor Harbor. By sharing the work, I believe it will connect with people, and become a ripple of energy that makes life more interesting.” says Margaret in describing her work.

Check out a short snippet of ‘The Ripple Effect’.

The public are invited to watch the different digital art pieces that are on show every night after the sun goes down.

Come watch the different digital art pieces that are on show every night after the sun goes down.

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Opening Hours

Monday - Sunday
Dusk

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95% of recent guests gave the location a 5-star rating.

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Victor Harbor Regional Art Gallery

Set in the Old Bakery building in Victor Harbor’s historic Railway Station precinct, the gallery showcases all local artisans work.

Paintings of local landscapes, wildlife, still life and modern images are done in all mediums. Glass items showing slumped and formed glass into useful items in coastal colours.

Unusual and one off felted garments and other fabric crafts to delight.

Timber carving and beautiful natural timber tables with tactile creatures carved into the wood.

Jewellery and other delights await the visitor. Entry is free.

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Opening Hours

Monday - Sunday
11.00am - 4.00pm

Important note here if needed

Self check-in

Check yourself in with the smart lock.

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95% of recent guests gave the location a 5-star rating.

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South Australian Whale Centre - Victor Harbor

The SA Whale Centre’s prominent location in Victor Harbor owes much to the former use of its 150 year old heritage listed building. The building was first used as a railway goods shed in the late 1800s, which explains a few of the mysterious features of the Centre.

The black markings on the interior walls are soot, the hallmark of the steam engines that used to pull into the building to unload their freight. If you look outside at the ends of the Centre, you can see the railway tracks that still run underneath the east end of the building. Inside the Centre, a huge brown crane marks the spot where it would swing freight from the trains on to platforms in the goods shed.

At one stage in its history, the building was also used to house the famous horse trams that run along the causeway to Granite Island. The trams now have a new glassed Tram Barn of their own located near Warland Reserve.

The SA Whale Centre gave the historical old railway goods shed a new and exciting purpose in 1994. During the initail renovations the building was given a new roof, floor and the cellar was cleaned out to create the space that is still used today. Some of the original exhibits still enthrall visitors today including the 3D mural and Sperm Whale vertebrae.

The Centre has undergone a number of redevelopments over its lifetime, the most recent of which took place in 2008, helping to bring the Centre and its exhibits into the new millennium.

Big Duck Boat Tours offer daily tours departing from the Causeway, where can spot dolphins, seals and whales (during whale season).

Guided Tours of the Whale Centre are available through Fleurieu Marine Education – bookings essential.

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Opening Hours

Monday - Sunday
10AM - 4PM

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Self check-in

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95% of recent guests gave the location a 5-star rating.

Free cancellation

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Off the Bluff Abseiling experience

Off the Bluff! The newest adventure to hit Victor Harbor.

Surf & Sun have proudly launched the abseiling adventure at Rosetta Head (otherwise known as the Bluff) and it is available daily.

This 2 hour adventure has you abseiling off of the Bluff in Victor Harbor, some elevation of 97 metres. Enjoy the views of Petrel Cove, West Island and in winter watch the whales swim by.

The Bluff is 97 metres above sea level and once you have suited up in a harness and helmet, you will be provided with instruction and head over the edge of a magnificent boulder down toward the ocean below.

Off the Bluff is a safe, exciting experience that will get the adrenalin flowing. The views are spectacular and it is suitable for 7 year olds and above.

Minimum 3 people to run. If there is only 2 people a higher price person may apply to operate.

Off the Bluff is adrenalin packed, fun and very safe. Conquer your fears!

Also available as a package deal with surf lessons too!

Tour Details;

Duration: 2 hours

Style: Adventure | Abseiling

No. of participants: 1 instructor to 6 participants (minimum of 3 people required)

Location: Victor Harbor – Bluff

When: Daily on demand

Time: Morning or Afternoon

Inclusions: All equipment, helmets, harness, ropes etc and instructor

Price: From $99

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Opening Hours

Open Daily
On demand
(24 hours notice required)

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Self check-in

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Great location

95% of recent guests gave the location a 5-star rating.

Free cancellation

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Kula-Tind-Jeri or Kool Tours

Kula-Tind-Jeri or Kool Tours is an authentic tribal experience through Southern SA. We are the original inhabitants of the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.

We bring the ways of the ancient into a new world to allow visitors to experience a day in the life of our people.

Our whole company comprises local Indigenous peoples, who have a host of various experiences and knowledges and who are willing to guide you through the eyes of the old ways.

Our Country awaits to be shared in a cultural setting.

Come along with us and gain an understanding of the history and knowledge of the local Tribes of southern South Australia.

Tours

Deep Listening

Port Elliot (Ratalang) Tour

Walking on Country: Yundi Tour

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Key Facilities

Opening Hours

Tuesday-Sunday
Flexible
Monday
Closed

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Self check-in

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95% of recent guests gave the location a 5-star rating.

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Kaiki Trail Granite Island

This walking trail takes you on a journey around Granite Island Recreation Park. Granite Island is around 62 acres and is one of the most recognised ecological attractions in Victor Harbor due to its unusual granite formations with crashing white waves, elevated views, flora and fauna, and walking trails that provide outstanding panoramic coastal views.

Length:	9km loop
Time:	45 minutes
Grade:	Grade 1, Easy Walk
Terrain:	Undulating with some stairs
Start:	Victor Harbor Information Centre

View the trail map below or download the Kaiki Trail map.

Points of Interest

The Causeway from the mainland is around 630 metres in length. Construction commenced in 1862, and the Victoria Pier was completed in 1864. The Causeway did not extend all the way to the island until 1875. It was built to provide a port and safe anchorage for trading ships. In 1899 swimming baths were located off the Victoria Pier, they were both demolished in 1955 after being damaged by a storm.
Site of the Harbour Masters Cottage which was established in 1867 and demolished in 1959.
Site of the Penguin Interpretive Centre which was operated from 1996 until 2017.
Screwpile Jetty was first used in 1881 by the coastal steamer Penola. 260 bales of wool were loaded.
Breakwater which was started in 1878 and completed in 1882. It is 1,000 ft long, 30 ft wide at the top and 200 ft wide on seabed. It was created from 250,000 tons of granite taken from the northern side of Granite Island, no granite block used weighed less than 20 tons.
Lighthouse erected in 1892 run on kerosene, this was replaced by a continuous gas operated light in November 1951.
Sculptured granite Seal, completed by sculptor Sylvio Apponyi in 1992 who also constructed the famous Warland Reserve Whale Tail fountain.

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Sculpture Encounters Granite Island Moore 1024x798 (1)

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Opening Hours

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Self check-in

Check yourself in with the smart lock.

Great location

95% of recent guests gave the location a 5-star rating.

Free cancellation

48H prior to arrival

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Granite Island is one of the most recognised ecological attractions in Victor Harbor.

Granite Island is around 62 acres and is one of the most recognised ecological attractions in Victor Harbor due to its unusual granite formations with crashing white waves, elevated views, flora and fauna, and walking trails that provide outstanding panoramic coastal views.

Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram

Ride the historic Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram across The Causeway to Granite Island. The Tramway commenced operation in 1894 and is one of two remaining in the world that operate a daily service.

Kaiki walking trail

This 2.9 kilometre walking trail takes you on a journey around Granite Island Recreation Park. Follow the link to find our more about the Kaiki Walking Trail, including map and key points of interest.

Dolphin and whale watching

Granite Island is situated in the Encounter Marine Park and full of marine life including dolphins, penguins, leafy sea dragons, seals and an abundance of marine life.

From May to October you may spot a Southern Right Whale or Humpback Whale while on their annual migration.

Big Duck Boat Tours offer daily tours departing from the Causeway, where can spot dolphins, seals and whales (during whale season).

Find out more on the Encounter Marine Park website, Big Duck Boat Tours, or visit the SA Whale Centre Facebook page for the latest whale sightings.

big duck boat tours

South Australia’s unique ocean adventure experience. Take our boat tour to see seals, dolphins and whales, as well as spectacular islands, cliffs and beaches. Bookings essential.

Find out more on the Big Duck Boat Tours page