A destination for all seasons!
Port Elliot is an idyllic seaside village, nestled on the southern coastline of the Fleurieu Peninsula. A popular holiday destination located just over one hour south of Adelaide. Spend your summer days on the magnificent beaches; surfing, body boarding, swimming and building sand castles or cruise the coast in search of Southern Right Whales from May to October.
In the centre of town you will find the historic railway station and Port Elliot National Trust Museum. Jump on-board the Cockle Train to Goolwa or Victor Harbor and spend the day exploring our neighbours. The Cockle Train runs year round on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday or daily during South Australian School holidays.
Port Elliot’s main street, The Strand, is the envy of many a small town, bustling with a variety of cafes, pubs, boutiques, galleries and other retail offerings. The Strand is a mixture of historic buildings painstakingly restored to their former glory and modern buildings cleverly designed to fit seamlessly into the streetscape.
Around the corner on North Terrace you will find more cafes, take away food and the best independent book shop in South Australia, South Seas Books. North Terrace is also home to the Port Elliot Bakery where you will find the insta-famous ‘donut of the month’. The locals will tell you get there early to avoid the crowds and ensure you don’t miss out; otherwise you might find yourself lined up along the road waiting for your chance to sample the local delight.
The Encounter Bikeway traverses through Port Elliot, hugging the coastline. Hire bikes from Surf and Sun in nearby Middleton, or bring your own. Cycle through Ratalang (Bashams Beach Reserve) and discover our local indigenous and early European history. Follow the bikeway through to Horseshoe Bay before heading up along the cliff top at Freeman’s Knob. Keep a lookout towards the ocean from this elevated vantage point as there is a good chance of spotting seals and dolphins or even a whale.
Port Elliot is famous for its beaches year round; the locals all have their favourites but if you’re new to the area here is a quick guide: Horseshoe Bay is a sheltered swimming area for those who are not confident in the water, for the more adventurous you can try body boarding around the bay near Commodore Point where the waves can be quite large! The experienced surfers and body boarders will love the challenge of Knights or Boomer Beach to test their skills.
There are several accommodation options available, most within easy walking distance to the centre of town. The ideally located Port Elliot Holiday Park, right on the beachfront above Horseshoe Bay, is extremely popular with a range of cabins and camping sites; or the Port Elliot Beach House YHA has the best views of any accommodation on the Fleurieu Peninsula and rooms to suit all budgets. Those looking for their own space to relax and unwind can choose from a range of self-contained cottages and holiday homes.
Click here to download a Port Elliot Town Map
Highlights
Crows Nest Lookout
Overlooking Goolwa and the Coorong, Middleton and Port Elliot, these are some of the best views you will ever see.
- Above: Crow's Nest Lookout, Port Elliot - Photo Credit: Muhammad Rashid
Horseshoe Bay
A family friendly, well known and highly regarded swimming beach. You can fish from the Jetty, watch the kids play in the Playground or go for a swim in this sheltered bay. Why not follow the rugged cliff around the coast and explore the little bays and beaches. Horseshoe Bay has been a favoured destination for visitors to the Fleurieu Peninsula for a long time. Be sure come and experience this very popular destination.
- Above: Horseshoe Bay - Photo Credit: Muhammad Rashid
The Strand
Wander the Strand and you will find yourself moving in and out of craft shops, old buildings and cafes. At the end of The Strand is the mighty Southern Ocean with a sensational lookout over the beautiful Horseshoe Bay and along the coast. This is a great spot to view the passing Southern Right Whales in the Winter. There are a series of beautiful trails meandering around the cliffs of granite, making for a fantastic stroll.
- Above: Walking Trails around Freeman's Knob, Port Elliot
- Above: The Flying Fish Cafe, Port Elliot - Photo Credit: SATC
- Above: Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot
- Above: The Cockle Train, Port Elliot - Photo Credit: SATC
- Above: Lady Bay, Port Elliot - Photo Credit: Muhammad Rashid