Family Activities
For Kids & Parents
The best family activities in Victor Harbor
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.
Browse family activities by area
19 places
Big Duck Boat Tours
Eco-certified marine wildlife tours on the south coast
Small-group wildlife boat tours from the Granite Island Causeway at Victor Harbor, with seals, dolphins and - in winter - southern right whales.
Day Spa at McCracken
The resort day spa at McCracken Country Club, offering massage, facials and couples treatments alongside the golf and accommodation.
Dunes Mini Golf Park
An 18-hole marine-themed mini golf course on the Victor Harbor Esplanade, right next to the Granite Island causeway and the horse-drawn tram.
Encounter Bikeway
30km sealed cycling and walking path
A mostly flat 30km sealed path running along the Encounter Coast between Victor Harbor and Goolwa - perfect for families, casual walkers and cyclists.
Encounter Lakes
A calm man-made saltwater lake at Encounter Bay with two swim beaches and sheltered paddling for families - one of the safest swimming spots near Victor Harbor.
Encounter Wetlands Reserve
A samphire estuarine wetland on Matthew Flinders Drive at Encounter Bay, with a sealed walking path, shaded shelters, fish nursery and rich birdlife.
Encounter Yoga
Hatha yoga classes across Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor and the south coast, suited to all levels with beach and studio sessions.
G T Fisher Train Playground
A renovated nature playground on the Victor Harbor foreshore featuring its iconic decommissioned steam locomotive - a much-loved family stop.
Granite Island
Victor Harbor's penguin-island
A small rocky island off the Victor Harbor foreshore, home to a little penguin colony and accessed by the iconic horse-drawn tram causeway.
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.
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.
NRMA Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park
$$Beachfront villas, cabins and safari tents
Beachfront holiday park directly opposite Granite Island, with villas, cabins, safari tents and powered sites - a longstanding Victor Harbor family favourite.
Oceanic Victor
Swim with giant southern bluefin tuna
A floating pontoon off Granite Island where visitors can hand-feed, view and swim with a school of giant southern bluefin tuna.
Pirates Sea Charters
Half and full day fishing charters and sightseeing sea tours of the Fleurieu coast, Coorong and Encounter Bay from Victor Harbor.
Sanctuary Day Spa & Skin Clinic
A full-service Victor Harbor day spa offering massage, Japanese scalp spa, floatation therapy, facials, hot stone and deep tissue treatments.
South Australian Whale Centre
$The story of Encounter Bay's whales
Interpretive whale centre on the Victor Harbor foreshore, home to an excellent education gallery and the best vantage point for winter whale spotting.
Urimbirra Open-Range Wildlife Park
Hand-feed kangaroos and wombats at Victor Harbor
A family-run open-range wildlife park 5km north of Victor Harbor with kangaroos, wombats, koalas, dingoes and over 70 bird species - most of them close enough to feed.
Victor Harbor Holiday Park
$$Cabins and caravan sites in central Victor Harbor
A family holiday park on Bay Road, Victor Harbor with cabins, ensuite villas, powered sites and camping - a short walk to the town centre and the causeway.
Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram
$The 1894 tram to Granite Island
The only operating horse-drawn tram in Australia, running since 1894 across the causeway to Granite Island.