20 Unforgettable things to do Fleurieu Peninsula
Last updated: August 2026
If you’re after that perfect combination of salty air, rolling hills, good food and even better wine, let me introduce you to one of our favourite corners in South Australia – the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The Fleurieu sits less than an hour from Adelaide, and yet the moment you come over the hills and the coast opens up in front ofyou, it feels a world away from the city.
There are so many things to do Fleurieu Peninsula that the hardest part of planning a trip here is deciding what to leave out. In a single day, you can be blending your own Shiraz in McLaren Vale, eating a donut in Port Elliot, and watching the sun drop behind the Waitpinga Cliffs. That variety is the whole appeal.
We’ve now explored the Fleurieu three times, and every visit turns up something new. A beach we’d driven past twice. A wine tasting in the back of a ute. And a bakery worth planning your morning around.
This guide is everything we’ve learned along the way. It covers the 20 best things to do Fleurieu Peninsula, grouped by area so you can plan a sensible route rather than zigzagging acrosss the region, plus how to get here, how long you need, when to go, where to camp, and a short itinerary to tie it all together.
Whether you’re road tripping through for a weekend or settling in for a week, in this guide you’ll find everything you need to plan your own trip.
Fleurieu Peninsula Summary
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Where |
Immediately south of Adelaide, South Australia |
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Distance from Adelaide |
45 minutes to McLaren Vale, about 1 hour 15 to Victor Harbor and Goolwa, 1 hour 30 to Cape Jervis (to Kangaroo Island) |
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Main towns |
McLaren Vale, Willunga, Victor Harbor, Port Elliot, Goolwa, Normanville and Yankalilla |
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Best known for |
Wine, beaches, coastal drives, Deep Creek National Park, and the ferry to Kangaroo Island |
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Best time to visit |
March and April for warm days and smaller crowds. June to October for whales and a green landscape. |
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How long to stay |
Two nights minimum, five to seven to do it properly |
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Do you need a 4WD? |
No, except for Blowhole Beach and a handful of tracks in Deep Creek National Park |
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Wine Regions |
McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Currency Creek, Southern Fleurieu |
Where is the Fleurieu Peninsula?
The Fleurieu Peninsula is the wedge of South Australia hanging off the bottom of Adelaide, bordered by the Gulf St Vincent on one side and Encounter Bay and the Southern Ocean on the other. Cape Jervis sits right at the tip, pointing across the Backstairs Passage at Kangaroo Island.
It has its name from Nicolas Baudin, who charted this coast in 1802 and named it after the French explorer and hydrographer Charles Pierre Claret de Fleurieu. Encounter Bay, just around at Victor Harbor is where Baudin and Matthew Flinders famously crossed paths that same year. Two rival expeditions meeting by accident on the far side of the world.
What makes the Fleurieu unusual is how much it packs into a small area. You can drive from one side ot the other in under an hour, but you’ll pass through four wine regions, half a dozen beach towns, a national park and one of the best coastal drives in the state on the way.
➤ For more details about this incredible coastal drive, read our full guide to Route 31 Coastal Drive.
Getting to the Fleurieu Peninsula
Almost everyone arrives by car, and that’s the only way to do it properly. The best things to do Fleurieu Peninsula are spread out.
From Adelaide, take the Southern Expressway south, and you’re in McLaren Vale in about 45 minutes. From there, you can either follow the coast down through Aldinga, Sellicks and Normanville, or cut inland through Willunga and the hills towards Victor Harbor. Both are good. We’d do one on the way down and the other on the way back.
From Adelaide Airport, allow anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on where you’re headed.
Without a car, you have some options. Metropolitan trains run as far south as Seaford, and there are daily bus services from Adelaide to Victor Harbor and Goolwa, plus routes to McLaren Vale and Willunga. It’s enough to get you to a town, but not enough to explore properly.
Fleurieu Peninsula Map
20 Best things to do Fleurieu Peninsula
Here are the 20 best things we’ve personally done and would recommend without hesitation. We’ve grouped them by area so you can build a route that makes sense, rather than driving back and forth across the peninsula.
You can pick a few, or try them all, it’s up to you.
Things to do Fleurieu Peninsula: Mc Laren Vale, Willunga and the Northern Coast
This is the first part of the Fleurieu you hit coming out of Adelaide, and it’s where most people spend their first day.
1. Blend your own Shiraz at d’Arenberg
Ever wanted to be a winemaker for a day? At d’Arenberg’s Blending Bench you create your own Shiraz blend, bottle it, name it, and take it home. It’s creative, fun, and you’ll walk out with a bottle that’s entirely yours. We loved it! Of all the wine things to do on the Fleurieu Peninsula, this is the one we still talk about.
2. Back of the Ute wine tasting with Apehlion Wines
Tasting wine from off the tray of a ute in the middle of a vineyard? Yes, please! This is a relaxed, no-nonsense experience you’ll share with Rob, the owner and winemaker at Aphelion Wines himself. He’s genuinely passionate about what he makes, which turns the tasting into a conversation rather than a script. And the wines are excellent. What more do you want?
3. Cruise McLaren Vale on a vintage e-bike
Hire a vintage e-bike from Deluxe E-Bikes Tours, and cruise through McLaren Vale vineyard trails. McLaren Vale has a handful of bike routes, and honestly, it’s the best way to see the region. We rode the McLaren Flat Trail, a short but very scenic trail with incredible views as you ride between the vineyards. The e-bike takes care of the hills, which matters more than you’d think after a couple of cellar doors.
4. Willunga Farmers Market
If you’re here on a Saturday morning, don’t miss these Farmers Markets. You’ll find everything from fresh produce, local honey, baked goods, delicious coffee and friendly locals coming from all over the world. We grabbed some delicious Greek treats, Italian sausages and fresh Aussie strawberries from down the road.
5. Watch the sunset at Port Willunga Caves
This spot honestly feels like you’ve landed somewhere in the Greek islands. Head to the jetty pylons in Port Willunga, and you’ll find some man-made caves which are the perfect place to throw down your picnic blanket, open a bottle of local wine and enjoy a romantic sunset. It’s one of the most photographed things to do Fleurieu Peninsula, and it deserves it.
6. Have lunch at Sellicks Beach
A proper South Australian beach experience. When the tide is right, you can drive straight onto Sellicks Beach, park up and eat lunch with your feet in the sand. Go for a swim, walk the beach, and head south to find a few hidden caves in the cliffs. Check the tide and conditions before you drive on, and let your tyres down.
7. Snorkel at Port Noarlunga
The reef at the end of the Port Noarlunga jetty is an aquatic reserve and one of the most accessible snorkelling spots in South Australia. The water’s usually calm enough for all levels, and you’ll see plenty of colourful fish. If you’re lucky, a wobbegong will cruise past underneath you.
8. SUP the Onkaparinga River
Stand-up paddleboarding on the Onkaparinga River is peaceful and scenic. The best time to get your SUP out is in the morning, when conditions are glassy. Just make sure to check the tides before heading out, because the river changes character with them. Onkaparinga River National Park is worth a walk while you’re there too, particularly the gorge.
Things to do Fleurieu Peninsula: Victor Harbor, Port Elliot and the South Coast
Come over the hills from McLaren Vale, and the peninsula changes completely. This is the wild side. Southern Ocean swell, granite headlands, whales in winter and a run of small towns that have been holiday spots for generations.
9. Watch the sunset at the Bluff, Victor Harbor
This is a magic place to end the day. Drive along the coast and walk up to the lookout. It’s short but steep, and the views over Waitpinga Cliffs, Encounter Bay and Victor Harbor are worth every step.
Tip: Have a look around Rosetta Head before the sun goes down. Odds are good you’ll spot dolphins, and between late May and October, this is one of the best land-based whale watching spots in the state.
10. Feast on the iconic donuts at Port Elliot Bakery
If you know, you know. These donuts are famous for a reason. Try the monthly special, a Nutella-filled one, or one of the many other flavours. You won’t mind the queue, because you’ll need the time to decide.
11. Watch the sunset from the Southport staircase
You’ve almost certainly seen this one online. Wooden stairs leading down to the beach, framed by pastel colours after the sun drops. It’s a well-known photo spot, and it’s even better in person, particularly in the twenty minutes after sunset when everyone else has gone home. Absolutely worth the stop.
12. Grab a coffee at Slow Mover Coffee Roaster at Goolwa
This little spot is a proper hidden gem, and it does the best coffee in the area. And trust me, we try a lot of places. It’s set in a cosy little white house with blue shutters, where beans are roasted on site, and there’s a good local feel. Start a Goolwa morning here.
13. Bake fresh bread with a local foodie
For the food lovers, this one’s for you. Join Foodbuilder Anita in Goolwa for a fun, hands-on bread baking workshop using local ingredients. It’s genuinely fun, and you leave with fresh dough, new skills and a sourdough starter to take home.
It’s one of the more unusual things to do Fleureiu Peninsula, but so worth it!
14. Canoe the Coorong
This is the standout wildlife experience on this side of the peninsula. Join a guided tour with Canoe the Coorong and paddle one of the most unusual ecosystems in the country. You’ll see lots of birdlife, take a stroll on the sand dunes (keep an eye out for emus or kangaroos), enjoy a delicious morning tea with yummy bikkies on the beach, catch some pipis for lunch, and if you’re lucky, some curious seals will pop up to say hello.
Things to do Fleurieu Peninsula: Langhorne Creek and Inland
15. Visit Langhorne Creek
Langhorne Creek flies under the radar, and that’s exactly what makes it good. It’s become one of our favourite wine regions in Australia. Here you’ll find boutique cellar doors, ancient vines, and proper country hospitality. You’ll find great wine, good craft beer, and not many other people.
Our picks:
- Kimbolton wines – seasonal cheese and wine flight is worth going out of your way for
- Little Pete Brewing – a cold local brew in a relaxed setting, and a nice change of pace after a day of cellar doors
If you’re building a list of things to do Fleurieu Peninsula that keeps you away from the crowds, put this region at the top of it.
Things to do Fleurieu Peninsula: Deep Creek, Cape Jervis and the Yankalilla Coast
The far southern end is the rugged bit. Big coastal country, a national park, the best 4WD access on the peninsula and a couple of beaches most visitors skip.
16. Deep Creek National Park
This National Park is a dream for anyone who’d rather be walking than tasting. It’s about 105 kilometres from Adelaide, and it packs in wildlife, camping, hikes for every fitness level, a bit of 4WDing and one of the best lookouts in the state.
➤ For more detailed information, read through our complete guide to Deep Creek National Park to plan your trip.
Read this before you go: A bushfire came through in early 2026 and burnt more than 4,500 hectares, affecting around 40% of the park and almost all of neighbouring Talisker Conservation Park. Most of Deep Creek has since reopened. Check the park alerts before you head there.
17. Go on a 4WD adventure to Blowhole Beach
Tucked inside Deep Creek National Park, Blowhole Beach is only reachable by 4WD or on foot, which is exactly why it’s still quiet. The descent is steep and the track is rocky, but you’re rewarded with a pocket of coastline that feels a very long way from Adelaide.
➤ Everything you need to know is in our Blowhole Beach Guide, including how to get there without a 4WD.
18. Catch Squid at Rapid Bay Jetty
Love fishing? Rapid Bay Jetty is famous for squid, and there’s a fair chance you’ll pull dinner off it. It’s also one of the best snorkelling and diving spots on this coast. The old jetty is where people come to look for leafy sea dragons. There’s a beachfront campground here too, and it’s very popular. Book ahead in peak season!
19. Find a secret beach at Carrickalinga
This must be one of my favourite discoveries anywhere on the peninsula. Walk up the headland from Carrickalinga, and you’ll stumble upon this slice of paradise. Just a heads up, the walk down is a bit steep and rocky, so take it easy.
20. Sip Wine in a Pod at Berg Herring Wines
You read that right, a pod. Have you ever sipped wine inside a giant wine barrel? You can at Berg Herring Wines. These pods have a stunning view, one of them is even overlooking the ocean. It makes this place one of the coolest wine tasting settings in the region.
And one more…
21. Cruise along Route 31 Coastal Drive
Roll down the windows and cruise this scenic 31-kilometre coastal drive between Sellicks Beach and O’Sullivans. There are so many great stops along the way. You want to take your time taking this route.
➤ We’ve mapped out every stop in our Route 31 Coastal Drive guide
How long do you need on the Fleurieu Peninsula?
A weekend gets you one region properly. Pick either McLaren Vale and the northern coast, or Victor Harbor and the south coast.
Three to four days is where it starts to work. Enough for the wine country, a day on the south coast and a day exploring Deep Creek National Park.
Five to seven days is the sweet spot, and it’s what we’d recommend to anyone who’s visiting. You get the whole peninsula without rushing, plus time for the things that depend on weather.
➤ We’ve written a full 7-day Fleurieu Peninsula Itinerary if you want it mapped out day by day.
Best time to visit the Fleurieu Peninsula
You can visit year-round, and each season changes which things to do on the Fleurieu Peninsula are actually worth your time.
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Season |
What it’s like |
Best for |
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Summer (Dec-Feb) |
Hot, dry and busy. Adelaide empties onto this coast over January. Warmest water of the year. |
Swimming, beach days |
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Autumn (Mar-May) |
Our pick. Warm days, cooler nights, vintage in the vineyards and the crowds are gone. |
Wine, walking, camping |
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Winter (Jun – Aug) |
Cool and wet, and this coast gets wild. This is when the whales turn up. |
Whale watching, cellar doors with a fire going, storm watching |
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Spring (Sep-Nov) |
Green hills, wildflowers through Deep Creek National Park, whales still around early. Water still cold. |
Hiking, wildlife, quiet cellar doors |
A short Fleurieu Peninsula Itinerary
If you only have a long weekend, here’s how we’d spend it. It hits the best things to do Fleurieu Peninsula without putting you in a car all day.
Day 1: McLaren Vale and the northern coast
Coffee in McLaren Vale, then the Blending Bench at d’Arenberg late morning. Lunch somewhere with a view over the vines. Ride a stretch of the McLaren Flat Trail in the afternoon, then drive down to Port Willunga for sunset at the caves. Stay in or around McLaren Vale or Aldinga
Day 2: the far south
Head down Route 31 with the coast on your right. Stop at Carrickalinga, then Rapid Bay, then push on into Deep Creek National Park. Walk the Stringybark Loop, and if you have a 4WD, take the track down to Blowhole Beach and camp in the national park.
Day 3: the south coast
Cut across to Victor Harbor, grab a coffee in Goolwa, and canoe the Coorong for half a day. End the day by walking up the Bluff for an incredible sunset.
➤ For our recommended version, read our 7-day Fleurieu Peninsula itinerary.
Practical things to know before you go
None of this is exciting, but it’s what we’d want to know before working through the things to do Fleurieu Peninsula on this list:
Is the Fleurieu Peninsula worth visiting?
Absolutely! The list of things to do Fleurieu Peninsula doesn’t run out. This region has it all! Beach days, forest hikes, charming towns, and wine-sipping afternoons. These 20 experiences are just a taste of what the region has to offer, and we hope they help you plan a trip that’s full of fun, nature, food and good vibes.
Plan your Fleurieu Peninsula Trip
The Fleurieu is a great week on its own, and it’s probably part of a longer South Australian road trip. If you’re heading this way, make sure you read through our more detailed guides:
Fleurieu Peninsula FAQs
What are the best things to do Fleurieu Peninsula?
The highlights are the McLaren Vale cellar doors, sunset at the Port Willunga caves, hiking and camping in Deep Creek National Park, the Route 31 Coastal Drive, and watching the sunset at the Bluff at Victor Harbor.
How many days do you need on the Fleurieu Peninsula?
Two nights is the minimum to get a feel for one part of it. Three to four days let you cover the wine country and the south coast. We’d recommend 5 to 7 days to see the whole peninsula.
What is the best time of year to visit the Fleurieu Peninsula?
Autumn, March and April, for warm days, small crowds and vineyards at their best. Winter, from late May to October, if you want to see southern right whales in Encounter Bay. Summer has the warmest water, but it’s hot and very busy.
Can you swim on the Fleurieu Peninsula?
Yes. The Gulf St Vincent beaches: Port Noarlunga, Port Willunga, Sellicks, Carrickalinga and Normanville are the calmer, more sheltered side and best for swimming.
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