Holiday houses in Port Willunga

Port Willunga, just outside of Adelaide, draws attention for its crystalline waters and sugary sands, which are framed by golden ochre cliffs. It’s beautiful, but what makes Port Willunga stand out from the crowd are its historic relics — this was one of the country’s first settled towns. Here you’ll find a cluster of pylon stilts from a former jetty jutting up from the shoreline; craggy caves carved into the rocks by long ago fishermen, waiting to explored; and remnants of a 19th century shipwreck that gets cyclically unburied from its sandy resting place by the sweeping tides. Dive to the bottom of the ocean to see a more complete picture of the aforementioned shipwreck, which happens to be one of Port Willunga’s most notable sites.

Port Willunga is also home to Australia’s first legal nudist beach, world-famous seafood, and renowned regional wines, consumed as the nearby waves lap against the shore.

Port Willunga enjoys mild weather year-round, making it a choice destination at any time of year. For the best chances of sun and smallest chance of precipitation, aim to visit during the hot, dry summer months. April is the wettest month of the year, with rainfall and even sometimes snow happening most days towards the end of the month. January, February, and May tend to be the busiest months of the year for visitors, while November is generally very quiet, the weather tends to be sunny and warm, and you may have the beach to yourself.

Every May, the South Australia History festival sweeps through the region, exploring a different historical theme. The Fleurieu Peninsula Folk Festival, one of the largest folk music festivals in South Australia, takes place every October.

Kangaroo Island

Port Willunga is perched across the water from Kangaroo Island, an expansive wildlife and nature reserve spanning 509 kilometers of scenic coastline. Romp through overgrown bushland, swim at postcard-perfect beaches, and spot kangaroos, echidnas, koalas, and iguanas roaming around their natural habitat. Before heading back to town, be sure to visit the island’s markets, sample local gastronomy, and tour a vineyard or two.

Seasonal Seafood

Port Willunga has become a dining destination for its super-fresh seafood and renowned restaurants where you can find refined, seasonal dishes that reflect the best of the local land and sea, such as King George whiting and squid. Wash these dishes down with a sip of Shiraz from a local vineyard as you breathe in the fresh sea air.

Shipwreck Diving

The Star of Greece sank to the bottom of the ocean just off Port Willunga over 125 years ago, and there she remains, half buried in the sand, the waves revealing little bits of her with the tide. Head north off the coast and swim past Port Willunga Reef and you’ll see the shipwreck shimmering under the surface of the shallow water. Take your time to explore this historical relic, and watch as schools of fish and crabs duck in and out of the wreckage.