Top 7 Things to Do in Victor Harbor

Top 7 Things to Do in Victor Harbor

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Posted 2017-02-22 by Steve Hudsonfollow
For over 100 years, the seaside resort of Victor Harbor has been the place for Adelaideans to escape to and enjoy some of the magic that the South Coast has to offer. From 1884 when the first passenger train arrived to today's 80km car trip, Victor Harbor has been one of the favourite day trips and with so many things to do, it is easy to see why as this list of top 7 things to do in Victor Harbor shows.



Horse drawn tram and Granite Island

It is ranked #1 on most travel sites and for good reason - the horse drawn tram trip across the Causeway to Granite Island is one of South Australia's tourist icons. Running all year round, and at a small cost, the 20 minute trip across to the Island is a unique step back in time.



Granite Island itself is SA's most visited island, and sees in excess of 700,000 visitors each year, many looking for wildlife, history, granite or simply just looking for the exercise that a 45 minute trek on the Kaiki Walk , one of SA's 40 great short walks , will provide. Accessible for all ages, a trip to the Island is a near mandatory visit on every trip to Victor.



Beaches and beach sports

Victor Harbor came to prominence in the mid 1860's when Port Elliot failed in its attempt to be the safe harbour for transport vessels, thus helping fuel Port Victor's expansion. But it was also that safeness in the water that attracts so many visitors with activities available for all ages.



The shallow waters are ideal for swimming for all ages, while the beaches further east and west provide opportunities for body boarders and surfers. The sheltered waters also make it ideal for boating and fishing, and in recent times the bay has been filled with stand up paddle boards seeking an alternative way to traverse the waters.



Indulge

From bringing your own, buying locally or eating out, the choices for food and wine just keep on getting better and better. Leading the way is Encounter Coast Spirits , a small spirits distillery which offers tasting and drinking / eating advice, while just down the road the Victor Harbor Winery has been making the most of the Mediterranean climate and has been harvesting soft whites and reds for a few years now.



You can take your products back to one of the many beachside grassed areas for a picnic, or perhaps stop for some of Victor's famous and original fish and chips, a guaranteed seagull magnet. Alternatively if eating in is your choice, then each of the hotels has specials on each night, while the Yilki Burger from the Yilki Store has a strong following amongst locals. The Anchorage is always popular with its cracking tapas menu, while the newly opened Loco Mexican in the main street serves up some huge serves of traditional Mexican food.



Take a walk or ride

If walking or riding is your medicine, then you are in for a treat. The Encounter Shared Bikeway runs from The Bluff to Goolwa through the main part of Victor, and is hugely popular at all times of the day with walkers and riders of all ages.



A trip on the Kaiki Walk around Granite Island is a must, as is the short climb to the top of The Bluff , while the Hindmarsh River , Inman River and History Trails all provide a great insight into the past. Meanwhile the long distance Heysen Trail passes close to town and the Heritage Trail enables walks to experience a clifftop walk around the spectacular Petrel Cove and [LINK=http://www.weekendnotes.com/heritage-walking-trail-encounter-bay/]Kings Beach.



[/LINK]Take a tour

The sound of the massive whistle sounds an opportunity to relive some of Victor's history with a trip on the famous Cockle Train . Known as such due to the large numbers of cockles that used to be caught en-route, the train runs from Victor to Goolwa and back along the seaside route that the Adelaideans made popular early last century.



For those who are short on time, or perhaps the weather is a bit inclement, then a scenic drive may be a great option. Tourist Drive 56 departs the Service Station on the roundabout at Victor's entrance, and takes visitors on a 26km self-guided tour of the highlights of Victor, while South Coast Tourist Drive 50 takes visitors north from the Service Station through the northern part of the Victor hills and through to Goolwa , Middleton and Port Elliot before returning back to Victor.



See some wildlife

For many years, Victor has been home to some unique wildlife, with the reserve at Urimbirra leading the way with their natives and the regular koala feeding sessions.



But it is the sealife which is often the star with a small colony of fairy penguins living on Granite Island being the stars.

Unfortunately numbers have been dwindling, and tours are now limited but the seals, wild dolphins and whales during their winter migration provide an alternative with the Big Duck Boat Tour offering regular wildlife viewing trips from the Causeway.



Entertainment

If all else fails, and you are looking for some entertainment then look no further than the end of the Causeway where the dodgem cars do laps, the ferris wheel does turns and various other kids rides beg for attention. Nearby the shetland ponies look up to the bigger brothers pulling the Tram, while the camels saunter back and forth along the beach offering visitors an unusual ride.



And with the entertainment comes the usual sideshows, donut and hot dog stands, strawberries and cream, and the ever popular mini-golf which is located alongside the Visitor Information Centre where staff offer details and advice on all local activities, accommodation and eating houses.



Victor Harbor is only 70 minutes from Adelaide, and is easily accessible by car, or via the regular bus service. The list above is only a snapshot of what is available with more information available from the Visitor Information Centre , or the Victor Harbor website .

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158473 - 2023-06-14 15:08:47

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