Nestled between Victor Harbour and Middleton on South Australia’s beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula is Port Elliot, a picturesque coastal town just over 80 kilometres from Adelaide. Port Elliot began life in the 1850s as a shipping port, but today it’s a relaxing seaside getaway with golden sands, pristine waters, postcard worthy jetties perfect for long strolls, historic sandstone buildings, and scenic walks and lookouts. The town also boasts a collection of quaint antique stores and fashionable beachy boutiques as well as cafes serving up fresh local produce.

When it comes to beaches, you are spoilt for choice here. The most famous is Port Elliot’s main beach — offering ideal conditions for swimming, surfing, and kayaking. For calmer waters, head to sheltered Horseshoe Bay, perfect for families and less experienced swimmers. Boomer Beach is known for its giant sand dunes and distinctive surf sounds, and if you are lucky, you may even spot a dolphin or whale.

Port Elliot is around a one-hour drive from Adelaide. Daily flights arrive at Adelaide International Airport (ADL) from all over Australia and select international destinations. From the airport there are many car rental options available. Alternatively, you could catch the bus, which departs from Adelaide Central Bus Station and takes you directly to Port Elliot. Once you arrive, the town itself is compact and easy to explore on foot, with many of the popular shops and restaurants nearby. If you are planning to visit the attractions a little farther afield, a car will be your best option. If you are feeling active you’ll find bike hire options in the town centre.

The most pleasant time to visit Port Elliot is in the spring and autumn months, when the days are sunny and the nights are mild. In October the Port Elliot Show takes place at the town's showgrounds with rides, games, exhibitions, competitions, and market stalls. Summer in Port Elliot will is especially suitable for visits to the beach. Expect long warm days and nights, perfect for enjoying all the water activities on offer. In February the Port Elliot Ocean Swim event is held at Horseshoe Bay, and the town is abuzz with music and events to coincide with the swim. Whenever you decide to visit, you’ll find an excellent range of accommodations in Port Elliot to suit all tastes and budgets.

The Strand

Wander along the Strand, Port Elliot’s main thoroughfare, full of craft shops, antique stores, modern boutiques, old historic buildings, and cafes. At the end of The Strand you will find the mighty Southern Ocean and a view of Horseshoe Bay. From here you can continue along a series of trails around the cliffs of granite, which offer spectacular views along the coastline.

The Encounter Bikeway

Hire a bike in town and take on the Encounter Bikeway, which traverses through Port Elliot, hugging the coastline. Cycle through Ratalang (Bashams Beach Reserve), a place of cultural significance for the Ngarrindjeri people, the traditional owners of the land. For spectacular ocean views, follow the bikeway to Horseshoe Bay before heading up to Freeman’s Knob. From this elevated vantage point, you can spot seals, dolphins, and even whales.

The Cockle Train

Jump aboard The Cockle Train in the centre of town and ride an authentic steam train on Australia's oldest steel-railed railway. Built in 1887, the train was named after locals who would travel by horse-drawn train to Goolwa to collect Cockles from the beach. Today you can ride the train to Middleton or Victor Harbour and take in incredible coastal cliffs views.