Family Activities
For Kids & Parents
The best family activities in Fleurieu Peninsula
The horse-drawn tram at Victor Harbor, steam trains at Goolwa, calm bays for swimming, farm animal experiences and playgrounds - the Fleurieu is a family holiday legend.
The Fleurieu Peninsula is a brilliant place to travel with children, with a stack of things to do that work for all ages and most weather. The classic family day out is at Victor Harbor: ride the heritage horse-drawn tram across the causeway to Granite Island, then hop aboard the Cockle Train, a historic steam-and-heritage railway that runs along the coast to Goolwa.
There's plenty more to keep kids busy. Think mini golf and foreshore playgrounds, the trout farm at Tooperang where you can catch your own, wildlife parks, and gentle, swimmable beaches up and down the Gulf St Vincent coast. Markets, farm gates and pick-your-own orchards turn a simple drive into an adventure, and the region's many short, flat walks and rail trails are easy going for little legs and prams.
Rainy days are well covered too, with museums, galleries, indoor play and family-friendly cafés in the larger towns. Most attractions are close together and easy to string into a single outing, and lots of beaches, walks and parks are free. For the most popular activities and the Cockle Train, check seasonal timetables and book ahead during school holidays.
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114 places
Kingosurfing
A Goolwa-based surf school running lessons across the Fleurieu - Goolwa Beach, Middleton, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor - run by experienced surf coach Kingo with private and group options year-round.
Kleinigs Hill Lookout
A clifftop lookout above Victor Harbor offering one of the best elevated views over Encounter Bay, Granite Island and the western coastline.
Kool Tours (Mark Koolmatrie)
Hall-of-Fame Ngarrindjeri cultural tours led by elder Mark Koolmatrie - Coorong cruises, dune walks, smoke ceremonies and Nurrunderi Creation Story storytelling.
Kuitpo Forest
A working pine and native forest with trails, picnic spots and treetop adventure
A 3,600-hectare ForestrySA reserve of softwood plantations and remnant native bushland in the South Mount Lofty Ranges, criss-crossed by walking, mountain bike and horse trails 45 minutes from Adelaide.
Magpie Springs Paint and Sip
Three-hour beginner paint-and-sip art classes with artist Kerry Mart at Magpie Springs gallery and vineyard in the Willunga hinterland - wine included.
McCarthy's Orchard Cellar Door
A family-friendly McLaren Flat cellar door where kids meet a pony, donkeys and free-range chickens while parents taste wine and cider in the orchard.
McCracken Country Club
A 4.5-star resort and 18-hole golf course on the edge of Victor Harbor with panoramic views over the Hindmarsh Valley, indoor pool, tennis courts and the McCracken Bar & Grill.
McLaren Vale Retreat
A husband-and-wife day spa in McLaren Vale offering therapeutic and remedial massage and relaxation treatments in a calm country setting.
Middleton
Surf beach village between Port Elliot and Goolwa
Small beachside village between Port Elliot and Goolwa on the Encounter Coast, with one of the Fleurieu's most consistent surf breaks and a famous pub.
Middleton Beach
The Fleurieu learn-to-surf beach
A long, gently-shelving sand beach between Port Elliot and Goolwa, widely regarded as the best learn-to-surf beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Minko Farm
A 400-acre working farmstay near Mount Compass with a small vineyard, cattle, horses and direct Heysen Trail access - an authentic farm immersion.
Moana Beach
A long, dog-friendly surf beach between Port Noarlunga and Maslin, one of only a few beaches in South Australia where you can legally drive on the sand.
Mount Compass
A dairy town famous for Australia's only cow race
A friendly country crossroads halfway between McLaren Vale and Victor Harbor, best known for the annual Compass Cup cow race held every February.
Mount Compass Golf Course
An 18-hole public golf course on the eastern side of Mount Compass town, part of the local recreation precinct.
Mount Magnificent Conservation Park
A 90-hectare conservation park north-east of Mount Compass with a 3.5 km Heysen Trail summit loop offering big views to Lake Alexandrina, the Coorong and the coast.
My McLaren Vale
Private guided wine tours run by McLaren Vale local Jon, visiting four to five wineries, breweries or distilleries per day with tailored itineraries.
Myponga Market
A converted art-deco former butter factory in the centre of Myponga, now home to the Valley of Yore cafe, the post office, gallery spaces, market stalls and the local arts scene.
Myponga Reservoir Reserve
Walking, kayaking and fishing at a SA Water reservoir
A 250-hectare SA Water reservoir opened to the public for walking, kayaking, fishing and picnics, with a spectacular lookout over the dam wall and spillway.
Narnu Aboriginal Cultural Tours
Family-friendly Aboriginal walking tours from Narnu Farm covering bush food, traditional tools and Ngarrindjeri culture along the Coorong fringe.
Narnu Farm
A heritage Hindmarsh Island farm with twice-daily animal feeding (deer, pigs, emu, lambs, chicks), a nature playspace, sports arena and farm-stay cottages.
New Terry Hotel & Golf Resort (Wirrina)
A 4-star 87-room resort on Yankalilla Bay with an 18-hole golf course, mini golf, indoor pool, gym and dining, set on a quiet cove between Normanville and Second Valley.
Normanville Beach
Wide white sand just an hour from Adelaide
One of the longest, safest swimming beaches on the Fleurieu - a broad arc of white sand backed by dunes and a historic jetty.
NRMA Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park
$$Beachfront villas, cabins and safari tents
Beachfront holiday park directly opposite Granite Island, with villas, cabins, safari tents and powered sites - a longstanding Victor Harbor family favourite.
Oceanic Victor
Swim with giant southern bluefin tuna
A floating pontoon off Granite Island where visitors can hand-feed, view and swim with a school of giant southern bluefin tuna.