The Bluff (Rosetta Head)
A 97-metre granite dome above Encounter Bay
The dramatic granite headland known locally as The Bluff - a 97m dome overlooking Encounter Bay, with a 19th-century whaling history and a short, steep walking trail to the summit.
A landmark with deep history
Rosetta Head - known universally as The Bluff - is a 97-metre granite dome that rises above Encounter Bay, 5km west of Victor Harbor. It is one of the most recognisable landmarks of the Fleurieu coast and is deeply embedded in both Ngarrindjeri culture and colonial history.
The whaling era
From 1837 until the 1860s, The Bluff was the site of a shore-based whaling station. Lookouts stationed on the summit watched for southern right whales, which were hunted from small boats launched from Encounter Bay's beaches. The industry collapsed as whale numbers crashed, and the whales have only recently begun to return in meaningful numbers.
The Bluff Walk
A short, steep walking trail climbs from the car park at the base of the Bluff to the summit (about 1km one way, allow 30-60 minutes for the round trip). From the top there are sweeping views over Encounter Bay, the Murray Mouth, Granite Island and out to Wright Island. The summit is one of the best whale watching vantage points on the Fleurieu between May and October.
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Sources
- The Bluff (Rosetta Head) - Wikipedia - Wikipedia (accessed April 2026)
Image credits
- Victor Harbor Bluff , CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons