About the Fleurieu Peninsula

Located an hour south of Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula has spectacular cliffs, surf and pristine sandy beaches.

The Fleurieu Peninsula was named after the French politician, Comte de Fleurieu by Nicolas Baudin, who along with Matthew Flinders was one of the early explorers to travel the South Australian coast.

Food and Wine

The local food and wines make this one of the favourite regions of the local South Australians. There are vineyards located all over the peninsula with 50 cellars open to the public in McLaren Vale alone.

McLaren Vale is the most famous wine region in the Fleurieu Peninsula, but there's also Southern Fleurieu, Currency Creek and Langhorne Creek to explore.

Along with its fabulous wines, the Peninsula is famous for its olives, almonds and cheeses. Local fresh seafood from the Southern Ocean and Murray River , regional lamb and venison are served at many of the great restaurants in the region.

Produce stalls and markets complete the ultimate food and wine experience.

Places to visit

Aldinga
This old township was settled in the mid-1800s and includes many interesting buildings and an old cemetery.

Aldinga Beach
This wide sandy beach is good for swimming and has boat-launching facilities. The boardwalk offers fabulous views of the coastline. Off shore there is a unique unique aquatic reserve which contains a rare reef formation which is ideal for diving. Read More

Goolwa
Goolwa is an attractive sea side town located at the mouth of the Murray River on Lake Alexandrina. Once a thriving river port Goolwa is the ideal fishermen's vacation resort with both fresh and salt water. For boating enthusiasts Goolwa is a starting point for a day or multi-day trip into the Coorong National Par or the Lake Alexandrina area. For water sports enthusiasts as well, Goolwa has it all. Read More

McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale is an attractive, historic town located on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide in the heart wine growing district. The McLaren Vale consistently produces some of South Australia's finest wines including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Read More

Maslin Beach
Maslin beach became the first nudist beach in Australia in 1975 and hosts the “Nude Olympics” in January each year. Maslin Beach has a protected cove, high cliff face and long expanse of clean white sand. Read More

Middleton
Middleton provides kilometres of easily accessible, scenic coastline, year round surfing beaches and historical buildings. The low coastal cliffs around Middleton offer a wonderful location for watching the majestic Southern Right whale from June to September. Read More

Port Elliot
The charming historic port town of Port Elliot reflects its 19th Century heritage in its architecture including The Strand, an historic shopping precinct well known for its cafes, antique and gift shops. Read More

Port Willunga
Port Willunga is known for its white sandy beaches eroded limestone cliffs and black rock reefs. Swimming, fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving are popular here. The "Star of Greece" a three masted, iron cargo ship which ran aground here on Friday 13th of July 1888 offers scuba divers a fabulous place to dive. At low tide the famous wreck is partly exposed as well as pylons from the old port facilities, destroyed by 1915 storms. Read More

Strathalbyn
Settled in 1839 it has retained a lot of its Scottish heritage. There are antique shops, cafes and galleries housed in heritage buildings. The Police Station, Court House Museum, old school and the gasworks are all worth a visit.

The Coorong
Cruise from Goolwa to Coorong National Park. This unique 120-kilometre strip of coastal wilderness is home to numerous waterfowls and waders. Parts of the park are only accessible by boat.

Artificial Reef
The former Navy ship HMAS Hobart was scuttled off the Fleurieu coast near Yankalilla in November 2002. You can explore the engine room, smoke stacks and gun turrets.

Victor Harbor
Located on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula this beautiful town has numerous historical attractions, natural wonders and wildlife. It offers wonderful shopping opportunities, art galleries, history, fine local food and wines. It is the ideal destination for the water sports enthusiast offering surfing, swimming, scuba diving, fishing and boating activities. Read More

Environment

The rich soils and temperate climate produce great food and wines. Seafood is also bountiful in this region.

Wildlife

From June to October the magnificent Southern Right Whales can be seen at Granite Island near Victor Harbour. Granite Island is also home to Little Penguins, dolphins and an oceanarium.

Wetland birds abound in the Coorong and mouth of the Murray River which is located on the eastern side of the peninsula.

Deep Creek Conservation Park offers numerous opportunities to see echidnas, kangaroos and sea eagles. The park is located in the rugged southern coastline of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Climate

The Fleurieu Peninsula has a Mediterranean style climate with cool winters and warm to hot dry summers. Sea breezes are a common occurrence.

Fifty percent of the annual rainfall occurs from April to July.

Average winter temperatures 10-18 degrees Celsius.
Average summer temperatures 24-35 degrees Celsius.

Getting there

Distances and Driving Times
Adelaide to Victor Harbor 83 kilometres 1 hour 15 minutes.
Adelaide to Cape Jervis 107 kilometres 2 hours.
Adelaide to Goolwa 83 kilometres 1 hour 15 minutes.
Adelaide to Mclaren Vale 39 kilometres 40 minutes.

Useful Links To Shops, Services and other things on the Fleurieu Peninsula

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