Top 10 Fleurieu beaches
From the long sweep of Sellicks to the hidden cove of Blowhole
Why these ten
The Fleurieu coast is two oceans in one: the calm, gulf-protected sand of the western shore from Sellicks down to Carrickalinga, and the wild, surf-pounded southern beaches from Waitpinga around to Goolwa Beach. Our top ten reflects both worlds. Some are easy drive-up beaches with a kiosk and a SLSC patrol; some need a boot, a long walk and a willingness to share with no-one but the kangaroos.
None are ranked by popularity. They are ranked by how much we want to send you to them.
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1
Aldinga & Port Willunga
Sellicks Beach
The drive-on family beach. Ochre cliffs at the southern end, hard sand for everything from beach cricket to kite buggies, and one of the best free sunsets on the Fleurieu.
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2
Port ElliotHorseshoe Bay
A near-perfect crescent of sand framed by sandstone headlands at Port Elliot. Safe swimming, a walking distance to bakeries and cafes, and the Cockle Train passes right behind the beach.
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3
Aldinga & Port WillungaPort Willunga Beach
The cliffs go orange at sunset, the old jetty ruins glow, and the Star of Greece on the bluff above pours something cold. The classic Fleurieu sunset beach.
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4
Cape JervisBlowhole Beach
The hidden cove inside Deep Creek National Park - 4WD or a steep 3km walk down from Cobbler Hill. The reward is a beach almost no-one else makes it to.
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5
Normanville & YankalillaCarrickalinga Beach
Three kilometres of safe, gently shelving white sand on the gulf side. The classic family swimming beach for anyone who finds the south coast too wild.
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6Victor Harbor
Kings Beach
A hidden cove at the foot of the Waitpinga Cliffs. A short, steep track down from the clifftop carpark - in winter, the carpark itself is a superb whale-watching lookout.
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7
GoolwaGoolwa Beach
Eighteen kilometres of open Southern Ocean sand running all the way to the Murray Mouth. Patrolled at the SLSC end; legal 4WD beach driving for the experienced.
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8
Aldinga & Port WillungaMaslin Beach
Long, dramatic and famously clothing-optional at the southern end. The cliffs and rock formations are some of the most photographed on the metropolitan coast.
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9
Victor HarborParsons Beach
A wild, remote surf beach at the western end of Newland Head Conservation Park. Strong swells, no facilities, no lifeguards - and a beach you will likely have to yourself.
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10
Myponga & Second ValleySecond Valley Beach
Steep cliffs, a small cove and the most-photographed jetty on the south coast. Snorkellers come for the leafy seadragons; everyone else comes for the drama.
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