 Visit the Fleurieu Peninsula of SA
With its temperate climate, central highlands and coastal fringes, the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia offers wine, wildlife and water in wonderful abundance.
Little penguins return to nests on Granite Island year round. Kangaroos are seen on the hillsides in most of the 20 or so national parks, in particular Cox Scrub, Newland Head and Deep Creek. The Coorong National Park is famous for its migratory waders and the Onkaparinga Estuary, Aldinga Scrub and areas around Mount Compass, Goolwa and Hindmarsh Island reward bird-watchers. From the coast, you are likely to see winter whales, and year-round colonies of seals, dolphins and sea-lions.
The central highlands of the Fleurieu Peninsula is dominated by the Mount Lofty ranges and gorges split the landscape, with the Onkaparinga River National Park providing a beautiful example. The coloured cliffs of Aldinga Bay contrast dramatically with the sheer cliffs that drop sharply into the waters of Yankalilla Bay and the Southern Ocean. To the east the landscape features undulating plains, Lake Alexandrina, the wetland lagoons of the Coorong National Park, and finally the mouth of the Murray River.
For the wine lover, the Fleurieu Peninsula has over sixty cellar doors offering wine tastings, sales and wine education. The local cafés and restaurants often feature local produce. This region features such famous wineries as McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and newer centres at Currency Creek in Southern Fleurieu.
Water plays a major part in the recreational activities of locals and visitors alike. Long sandy beaches, rugged cliffscapes and sheltered coves provide a range of year-round activities including fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling, surfing, sailing and swimming.
For the salt-water enthusiasts it offers fishing from the jetties, beaches and from boats. Action lovers can go sea kayaking, surfing, snorkelling, body-boarding and scuba diving. For the wreck divers, HMAS Hobart, a decommissioned "Charles F. Adams" class guided missile destroyer, was scuttled in November 2002 off Rapid Bay and now offers an unbelievable dive experience. Access to the Hobart dive site is from the Wirrina Marina, which is about 10 kilometres south of Normanville.
Scuba divers and snorkellers can view an amazingly colourful range of fish and the unique leafy sea dragon is regularly sighted around the jetties of Rapid Bay, Second Valley and Victor Harbour. Or you can follow the interpretive underwater trail that runs along the reefs which extend from Aldinga Bay. From above water, if you wish to see the dramatic cliffs located south of Victor Harbour or out from Marina St Vincent, then its best to take one of the coastal boat charters available. Boat cruises into the Coorong National Park leave from Goolwa regularly.
For fresh water enthusiasts, the Murray River and its Lower Lakes provide great yachting, where you can bring your own boat, charter or jump aboard a skippered boat at Goolwa and Marina Hindmarsh Island. There are the annual sailing regattas between Milan and Goolwa or you can paddle canoes on the Onkaparinga River. There are a variety of waterfalls located in the central highlands with Hindmash Falls, Ingalalla Falls and Deep Creek Conservation Park offering picnic grounds. There is also an opportunity to try some trout fishing at Tooperang.
National Parks of the Fleurieu Peninsula
National Parks and Wildlife SA manages twenty-four parks and reserves on the Fleurieu Peninsula. These parks offer a diverse array of natural environments from coastal heath and mallee scrubland, to temperate stringybark forests, freshwater wetlands and island habitats, and the opportunity to undertake activities such as bushwalking, camping, fishing and bird-watching.
Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park
The Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park is located on the coastline of Gulf St Vincent between Aldinga Beach and Sellicks Beach. In this park you will enjoy rare plants, static and mobile sand dunes, walking trails of varying lengths that provide different ecosystems to explore. Some of these ecosystems include River Red gum forests, mallee scrub and closed heaths. Take time to experience this park's habitats and unique plant life including the wildflowers that thrive during the spring months.
Coorong National Park
The Coorong National Park has gained international significance under the RAMSAR agreement as a migratory wader and waterfowl refuge. There are over 230 bird species recorded and you should regularly see emus, kangaroos and other wildlife. The Coorong National Park has high sand-dune systems that front the Southern Ocean, shallow lagoons and a long, narrow wetland complex connecting to the lower Murray River and Lakes system. It is a spiritually significant area of the Ngarrindjeri people. While exploring the park you can undertake land-based bird-watching tours, eco-cruise tours, sailing, fishing, canoeing, camping and walking.
Deep Creek Conservation Park
Deep Creek Conservation Park is located 100 kilometres south-west of Adelaide. It comprises approximately 4,500 hectares with 18 kilometres of scenic coastline, spectacular views of lush vegetated hills, stringybark forests, an amazing array of wildflowers and some of the most scenic and challenging bushwalking areas in the State. You may encounter Western Grey Kangaroos, Short-Beaked Echidnas, Southern Brown Bandicoots and Southern Emu-Wrens. Blowhole and Boat Harbour beaches are offer ideal fishing and there are five different camping grounds available within the park.
Granite Island Recreation Park
Located in the heart of Victor Harbor, Granite Island Recreation Park offers exceptional coastal scenery with walking trails, interpretive signs and lookouts, and a range of activities including walks, picnics and fishing. Just a quick crossing from the mainland over the causeway will get you onto this historic island. While there you can take one of the guided penguin tours each night after sunset, or you can fish from the jetty or causeway. If you plan to visit the island between the months of June and October you might see a Southern Right whale in Encounter Bay.
Newland Head Conservation Park
The Newland Head Conservation Park is located near Victor Harbor and protects two stretches of beach, rocky headlands and bushland. The parks is popular to visitors who want to experience a day stay, weekend or week-long visit with camping and barbecue facilities, a picnic area and various walking trails on offer to make your stay both comfortable and enjoyable. You can enjoy the famous Heysen Trail that runs through the park and offers spectacular cliff top views. This park is also very popular for both fishing and surfing.
For more information regarding South Australia's National Parks and Conservation Parks please visit SA National Parks and Wildlife Service.
This information was compiled with the help of resources available from South Australia Tourism. Please visit their website at www.southaustralia.com for a more detailed rundown of this exciting region and others.
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