Victor Harbor in a Day

Victor Harbor is a seaside town about 45 minutes south of us on the coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula. The economy is based various industries including fishing and agriculture. Due to the great variety of attractions and things to do it is a highly popular tourist destination.

Click for a larger view

An interesting little known fact: I have got the spelling right and have not suddenly switched to an American spell checker. Originally called Port Victoria, in 1921 the town’s name was changed to ‘Victor Harbor’ , which was originally blamed on some confusion around a near shipwreck with Port Victoria in the Yorke Peninsula. As children we learnt that harbour is normally spelt with a u yet many places in South Australia, such as Outer Harbor, are not spelt this way. This is due to some spelling errors made by an early Surveyor General of South Australia. Conversely Victor Harbour railway station is spelt with the u.

Click for a larger view

One of the main attractions is Granite Island which home to the Fairy Penguins (or little Blue Penguins) and access to the island is via the pedestrian walkway which is shared with one of the few remaining horse drawn trams.

The Cockle Train heritage railway also operates from Victor Harbour Station to Goolwa and this remains a trip which still needs to be undertaken. This winter possibly.

The views across Encounter Bay are stunning from Granite Island and one can see all the way across the bay to the mouth of the River Murray. Encounter Bay was named by Matthew Flinders in April 1802 after he encountered Nicolas Baudin near the Murray Mouth while surveying this unknown stretch of coastline.

Click for a larger view

The town has some beautiful beaches and with great leisure areas adjacent to the sand and surf.

The town centre has quite a historic feel about it and there are quite a few buildings dating back to the late 1890’s.

During the months of June to September, the Southern Right Whales come to the nearby waters to calve and to mate; and this has become quite a tourist attractions. The South Australian Whale Centre has a whale watch notice board which tells you where whales have been sighted; giving rise to a whole new hobby of whale chasing during the winter months.

Click for a larger view

If you would like to see some more photographs of this wonderful little coastal hamlet then please click here.