Local Attractions
Yoredale Cottage and The Summer House are beautiful properties with their own special and unique character. What they share is a superb location; central to all Port Elliot has to offer. Originally settled as trading port to transport goods to the River Port of Goolwa, after a spate of shipwrecks, Port Elliot evolved into a tourist town and has continued to delight the modern traveler.
Everything from Horseshoe Bay and the stunningly located Flying Fish, through to The Strand and its eclectic shops and hotels, are just a short stroll from home. Port Elliot is a town rich in history and community spirit and nearby surf beaches that are revered by surfers young…and not so young.
In both properties you’ll find a laminated map of the local area with some suggestions for daily walks. Port Elliot is a fabulous town to see on foot and we have included some themed walks such as the “Saturday Morning Produce Walk”, the “Winter Whale Walk” and for the more adventurous the “Crowsnest Road Lookout Leg Burner” to get you moving.
You’ll also find a list of all the local eateries, ranging from famous pasties to fine dining. We’ve even told you who to ask for when trying to get you a table at those ‘booked out’ restaurants on busy nights.
Oh, and don’t forget to bring a bike. There’s a fantastic bike trail between Goolwa and Victor Harbor that takes in the stunning coastline and all that these culturally differing towns have to offer. Port Elliot is right in the middle and so you don’t have to work too hard to end up somewhere amazing.
Fleurieu Peninsula
The Southern Fleurieu has a wealth of wildlife and much of it is in and around the sea. The coastal waters from Victor Harbor to Goolwa are a marine paradise and home to several marine species that are unique in Australia, such as the Leafy Seadragon.
Port Elliot
A big future was envisioned for Port Elliot when it was earmarked in 1854 as the major Encounter Bay outlet through which the rich agricultural bounty shipped down the Murray River would be exported.
A Battered breakwater is all that remains of the failed attempt to construct a safe shipping harbor, but in its place we now have one of the sweetest beach settings in South Australia. A camping ground, bowling green, public reserve and restaurant each claim the best position around Horseshoe Bay, which is protected by several little islands not far off shore where whale sightings are a regular attraction in winter.
The town itself is a model seaside village, renowned for its cafes, antique and gift shops along The Strand, its wide choice of accommodation – and where both the fish and chip shop and bakery regularly draw queues.
Head for the Cockle Train to Goolwa or Victor Harbor, follow the Port Elliot Maritime Heritage Trail on the foreshore of Horseshoe Bay or explore vantage points such as Freeman Nob and the cliff-top walking path for stunning views of the Encounter coast.
Local Beaches
Horseshoe Bay :
One of the safest and most picturesque swimming bays in Australia offering swimming and body surfing for all ages..
Ladies Beach
Secluded sandy beach offering swimming and rock pool exploration.
Crockery Bay
Small secluded beach for cooler days.
Surfing Beaches
It’s surfing nirvana at Port Elliot but there are plenty of nearby waves to be found at Parsons, Waitpinga, Boomer Beach, Middleton and Goolwa.
Surf Tuition
South Coast Surf Academy, Middleton - Learn to surf, Owner operated, accredited male & female instructors. Surfing Australia Licensed Surf School. All equipment provided, single or double lessons suitable for everybody – all welcome. Small to large groups or private lessons. Bookings essential. Price from $40 per person. Tel: 0414 341 545 www.danosurf.com.au
Things To Do
Country Markets
Port Elliot
First & third Saturday of every month
9.00am-2.00pm
Lakala Reserve, Port Elliot
Just a short 2 minute stroll from The Summer House.
Cycling
Port Elliot is a favourite spot for cyclists because of its access, its gentle terrain, the spectacular diverse scenery, its dedicated bike trails and for its opportunities for discovery and relaxation.
Encounter Bikeway is an on-road and shared trail that links the coastal city of Victor Harbor and the river port town of Goolwa, via Port Elliot and Middleton. The total distance is 30km, however a range of riding distances is available making it suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. The Bikeway can be used by cyclists, walkers, skaters, rollerbladers and is wheelchair accessible.
Bikes can be hired from Victor Harbor – be sure to ask when you book.
Vicor Harbor Cycle & Skate
Telephone: (08) 8552 1417 Mon-Fri & Sat mornings.
Fishing
Picturesque Horseshoe Bay at Port Elliot offers beach, rock and jetty fishing for large mulloway, snapper, flathead and stingrays while there’s excellent surf fishing at Middleton.
Golf
Port Elliot is also a terrific spot to pursue that other sort of driving holiday. Here you can drive to more than a dozen golf courses, some with million dollar views that cater for happy hobby golfers to swing away, along with smaller but equally pleasant picnic courses.
Alternatively you can choose to play golf the easy way with a Guided Golf Tour. Hotel Victor or Easy Swing can customize a package to suit your needs. Contact
McCracken Country Club (18 holes, Par 72, 6021m)
Only minutes from Port Elliot, the McCracken Country Club is a great course that’s seen a huge redevelopment in recent years.
Designed by renowned golf course architect Tony Cashmore, this is a fun but challenging course with five memorable par threes and is a fine driving course. The South Australian PGA was held here in 1998 in a memorable and record breaking event won by veteran pro Lyndsay Stephen.
With coastal breezes and elevated fairways, the par 72 course features 74 bunkers and water in play on several holes with 14 lakes in a beautiful setting of natural watercourses and gentle slopes.
Victor Harbor Golf Club (18 holes, Par72, 5962m)
Nearby is the Victor Harbor Golf Club with not-to-be missed views of the coast and hinterland. The oldest course on the Fleurieu Peninsula, this is a refreshing alternative to many modern courses. The first tee takes full advantage of the magnificent views of Encounter Bay, the sparking waters of the Southern Ocean and the grandeur of Granite and Wright Islands. Former golfing legend Norman von Nida is reputed to have said this was the best first tee anywhere in the world. www.vhgolf.com.au
Health Retreat
Authenticity (08) 8554 2088
Steam Ranger
Take a ride on a piece of history. The historic Cockle Train travels every Sunday along the coastline between Goolwa, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor.
Touring
South Australians are still surprised when they find out how much there is to explore in the Fleurieu Peninsula. Everyone else is simply amazed.
Access to the region is made easy by following the Fleurieu Way. It gets you quickly to the major coastal towns that serve as a base for further exploration.
Port Elliot Historic Centre and Railway Station
Award-winning displays depicting Australia’s first Public Railway 1854 and Seaport. Family History Research is available.
Whale Watching
This is where you come to get close to one of the world’s most astonishing marine creatures – the Southern Right Whale.
The Fleurieu Peninsula is one of South Australia’s most popular and accessible whale-watching regions with opportunities for both land-based and water-based sightings.
Southern Right Whales, so names for being the ‘right’whale to hunt, are now fast becoming the ‘right’ whale to watch as they move slowly and come very close to shore, often within 100m, offering visitors an intimate experience. Victor Harbor, Port Elliot, Goolwa and Middleton are all popular viewing points.
Local Area Websites
| Toursim Victor Harbor | www.tourismvictorharbor.com.au |
| SA Whale Centre | www.sawhalecentre.com |
| Fleurieu Peninsula | www.fleurieupeninsula.com.au |
| Port Elliot | www.adhills.com.au/tourism/towns/portelliot/ |
| Fish SA | www.fishsa.com |
| Coorong Cruises | www.coorongcruises.com.au |
Dining Out
The Flying Fish Restaurant & Beachside Kiosk
No 1 The Foreshore, Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot - Tel: 08 8554 3504
The restaurant is open daily for lunch, Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner. Bookings are essential.
The kiosk is open daily all year round.
Situated on picturesque Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot. The Flying Fish is a fantastic place to enjoy a coffee, a Belgian Waffle, or indulge in a stylish 3 course meal and premium wine. Be Careful not to offend your lunch partner - you may be inclined to day dream as you absorb the stunning view of the ultra-marine water and impressive rock formations, 'The Sisters', 'The Twins' and 'Pullen Island'.
Click to view Australian Gourmet review...
Australian Gourmet says....
Flying Fish Restaurant and Beachside Kiosk ...by Franz Scheurer
What is more than a 20 minute taxi ride and less than a 1½ hour car trip from Adelaide, has glorious views, a tranquil setting, good food, good wines and lots of friendly faces? The answer is: The Flying Fish Restaurant and Beachside Kiosk at Port Elliot on picturesque Horseshoe Bay.
Run by Lea Steimanis and Frieda de Leeuw out front with chef Leigh Irish at the stoves, this is about as close to the water as you can get. Even if the trip from Adelaide is slow and the curiously direction-changing multi-lane highway happens to run the wrong way on your way south, you can’t help but exhale, feel the weight of the ‘city worries’ slip off your shoulders, relax and assume the comfortable ‘who cares about time’ attitude prevailing down here.
The kiosk serves simple but fresh fare from Belgian Waffles with a cup of coffee to a plate of oysters or fish and chips with a glass of wine. The restaurant is rather more substantial. Recently refurbished the restaurant’s clean, modern lines are lifted by a polished wooden floor, a large wooden wine rack, tables and serving counter. An old upright piano sits in one corner and the chair in front of it suggests that it is being used. Large windows let in lots of light and the general atmosphere is one of beachside laid-back, simple luxury.
We shared a plate of bread, olives and goat’s curd whilst reading the menu. There is no wine list and you simply walk over to the wine rack for the reds, or the large fridge for the whites, and select what takes your fancy.
The ‘Freshly Shucked Coffin Bay Oysters’ were fresh and creamy and the ‘Western Australian Saucer Scallops with braised Fennel, Saffron Cream and Yarra valley Salmon Roe’ fragrant and well presented. A plate of ‘House Cured Atlantic Salmon with a Salad of Avocado and Ruby Grapefruit’ was competent and plentiful.
For mains we selected the ‘Grilled Moreton Bay Bugs with a Chilli and Lime Mayonnaise’, which turned out to be a recreation of the leaning tower of Pisa with a good mayo and rather sad bugs. The fish of the day was much better and a lot fresher and the ‘House Made Ravioli of Spring Vegetables and Ricotta with a Roasted Tomato sauce and Reggiano’ succulent and full of flavour with the pasta a little overcooked for our liking.
The ‘Affogato’ was just the right dessert to round off the meal without weighing us down too much and the restaurant is good value for money. Service was friendly, informed and appropriate for the location and we enjoyed ourselves. It is certainly worth the trip from Adelaide!
Hotel Elliot, 35 The Strand, Port Elliot.........
Who would expect to find such great cuisine at a traditional country pub, but here you will find a trendy menu of budget priced meals for your enjoyment. The beer garden out the back is definitely the place to be on a sunny afternoon!
Ph: (08) 8554 2218
Vincent's Cafe, The Strand, Port Elliot
A great spot to enjoy a coffee and home made cake or a gourmet snack - our favourite is the kransky baguette topped off with their very own relish and melted cheese. Or if you're not hungry check out the fabulous range of gifts and handcrafted furniture!
Port Elliot Bakery......
Still the same today as I remember it 50 years ago and arguably the best cheese & vegetable pasties you will find in South Australia. There is a very good reason that you have to line up to get served!
Stranded Cafe, 12 The Strand........
Bookings recommended - Ph: 8554 2022
The new Mexican style dining at Stranded is definitely something to experience. With meals ranging from a bar plate to beef fillet and MSA scotch fillet or a gourmet pizzas you are sure to find something to tantalise your taste buds.
Diners can experience the fantastic garden bar, go in for a drink and pizza after work or a three course meal.
The restaurant has a big focus on value, you will leave the restaurant feeling fulfilled and energised. For the warmer summer months, why not try the outdoor dining area? The area can seat up to 200 people and is perfect to spend a balmy summer's night out.
Stranded also has an extensive wine list, featuring many wines from local wineries, as well as a large beer list, coffee and, coming soon, freshly squeezed juices.
