There’s nothing like camping a stone’s throw from the beach: traipsing flip flops across warm sand with a towel slung over the shoulder, chasing that elusive vitamin D. And South Australia’s Victor Harbor offers that opportunity in spades.
The vibrant, small community boasts a supermarket, cinema, and arts and crafts precinct as well as plenty of water leisure hire outlets and dog-friendly beaches to help make the most of your stay.
THINGS TO DO
Water activities are the flavour of the month in Victor Harbor, with a number of fabulous snorkelling, surfing, fishing a whale watching opportunities.
If you fancy a bit of exercise, there’s a cycle path out the front of the park that links the sleepy town of Port Elliot with Victor Harbor and Encounter Bay, a popular destination for snorkellers. Horseshoe Bay in Port Elliot has lovely, family-friendly surf that’s just ideal for grommets or body boarders.
Ride South Australia also operates the SteamRanger Heritage Railway between Victor Harbor and Goolwa stations, a stretch of which is our nation’s oldest operating railway track. And just like squelching sand between your feet, it’s a truly quintessentially Australian experience that’s not to be missed.
GRANITE ISLAND RECREATION AND NATURE PARK
For those partial to a bit of sight-seeing, the Granite Island Recreation and Nature Park is within walking distance via a causeway and offers various short hiking tracks.
Although the causeway is open to pedestrians, its horse-drawn trams run frequently and provide a really lovely way to access the island. There is a kiosk for dining but it’s also a great destination to bring along a picnic lunch. The self-guided, 1.5km Kaiki Walk traces the island’s perimeter, offering 360° views of the bay, and is just challenging enough to keep you interested.
An information centre provides in-depth insight into the local penguin population and if you’re keen, you can take the guided tour at dusk.
ACCOMMODATION
Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park, an hour south of Adelaide, on the SA coast, is a great place to spend a night right on the water. Protected by a bluff, the azure waters are still enough to hoist a rod, launch a kayak, or to simply pop on a snorkel and enjoy the abundant marine life within.
Campfires aren’t permitted at the campsites but there are several clean, free electric barbecues throughout the park, and two generous camp kitchens for when you’re travelling with a crowd. Kids are also very well-catered for, too, with the jumping pillow, games room and a gated, heated swimming pool as well as a complimentary school holiday program that includes movie nights and craft workshops.
MORE INFO
Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park is located at 114 Victoria Street, Victor Harbor.
Check out the full feature in issue #87 April 2015 of Camper Trailer Australia magazine.