The Fleurieu Way
A round trip of some 280 kilometres starting in Adelaide and heading for McLaren Vale - 40 kilometres, McLaren Vale to Yankalilla - 34 kilometres, Yankalilla to Cape Jervis - 35 kilometres, Cape Jervis to Victor Harbor - 63 kilometres, Victor Harbor to Goolwa - 20 kilometres, Goolwa to Strathalbyn - 34 kilometres, Strathalbyn to Adelaide - 56 kilometres.
The Fleurieu Way is a well-signed route around the Fleurieu Peninsula. Head south from Adelaide with the sea on your right and the hills on your left. You'll know you've hit the McLaren Vale wine region when vines start to line the roads.
McLaren Vale is widely regarded for producing exceptional red wines and is also gaining a reputation for excellent olives and oils, cheeses, almonds, berries and a range of other local produce. Drop into any of the cellar doors to taste the region's finest drops and produce.
Continue south through the towns of Willunga, Mount Compass, Inman Valley and Yankalilla to Cape Jervis. Make sure you drop into Deep Creek Conservation Park one of South Australia's most rugged parks, with spectacular views across Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island.
Returning to the Fleurieu Way, head to Victor Harbor, one of South Australia's most popular seaside towns. Keep your eyes open for Southern Right Whales if you're in the area between June and October. Further on is the River Port of Goolwa, where the Murray meets the Great Southern Ocean.
North of Goolwa at Currency Creek, you can walk the Currency Creek Waterfall Trail or spend a few hours sampling the wines at the Currency Creek Winery.
Head southeast to Clayton and then northeast through Milang to the emerging wine district of Langhorne Creek, with its trademark flooding irrigation system. Complete the circuit by heading west again through Strathalbyn, Meadows and Kangarilla to McLaren Flat, which will bring you back to the heart of the McLaren Vale wine country. Or head back to Adelaide through the Adelaide Hills from the historic, antique-shopping hub of Strathalbyn.
Plan for at least two days to fully enjoy the Fleurieu Peninsula. Attractions include:
- Strathalbyn's High Street - full of antique stores and a few cafes.
- The sacred Aboriginal 'canoe-tree' on the road to Goolwa near Currency Creek.
- Take a cruise from Goolwa into the Coorong, a wetland of international importance.
- Drop into the Signal Point River Murray Interpretive Centre, for the story on the significance of the Murray to Australia and its people.
- The Port Elliot bakery - heralded as one of the best along the coast.
- Ride the Horse drawn tram from Victor Harbor over the causeway to Granite Island.
- Take the kids for a ride on the Cockle Train between Victor Harbor, Port Elliot and Goolwa.
- From June through to October, look for whales from on top of the Bluff or just admire the 270-degree views along the coast.
- Visit the South Australian Whale Centre at Victor Harbor to learn more about these giants of the sea.
- Drive to Inman Valley to view Glacier Rock, discovered in 1859 and one of the largest glacial exposures in the world that attracts geologists from all over.
- Snorkel or dive off the jetty at Second Valley - you might catch a glimpse of the elusive Leafy Sea Dragon.
