Beach Activities on the Fleurieu Peninsula

18 March, 2015

Ideas for beach activities – South Australia

South Australia, especially the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula offers great opportunities to get in touch with nature and get some fresh air and exercise by hiking, snorkelling, surfing, fishing, boating, cycling or walking.

There are numerous beaches to explore ranging from long sandy stretches safe for swimming, sheltered coves perfect for casting a fishing line or rugged surf beaches where caution is advised.

The great sceneries and various activities that you can do in the Fleurieu Peninsula will be a memorable way to spend your holidays. Most tourists who visit the area praises Fleurieu Peninsula for its breath taking beach views and clear waters. Spending the weekend or even the holidays in this Australian tourist spots will be an opportunity to explore some of the places in the peninsula which are mostly visited and known by the locals.

A lot of tour activities to the islands can also be learning experiences to both children and adults. If you want to bring your kids with you, it will be a great activity to try. You’ll surely want to stay longer in the area if you follow our ideas for beach activities in the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Glenelg Tram

Adelaide is the main hub for South Australia and a stop off destination for many tourists before they head to the Fleurieu Peninsula.  Take the tram from Adelaide to Glenelg.  The sandy beach and grassy area by the jetty are a great spot for a picnic, ice cream or fish and chips. 

Sandcastles and rock pool exploring

Relive memories of making sandcastles and fossicking through rock pools looking for life between the tides.  Newland Head Conservation Park has a lengthy beach great for long days making your own creations in the sand. There are also walking tracks in the park while the Oliver’s Reef is good for exploring the rocks at low tide.

Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island

Located on the south coast of Kangaroo Island, a trip to Seal Bay is the ultimate beach adventure.  Who would forget a memorable experience watching sea lions on the beach?  Contact Adventures Beyond for tour packages.

Swimming

Port Elliot’s Horseshoe Bay is a popular beach for its safe swimming and has lifeguards regularly on patrol.  There are playgrounds, BBQ facilities and food outlets, so you can grab an ice cream and watch the scenery.

Surfing

Surf & Sun are local experts on where to learn to surf on the Fleurieu Peninsula and arrange all gear and tuition so you won’t be floundering in the surf.  Join surf lessons at Goolwa, Middleton or Moana.

Fishing

The Fleurieu Peninsula is a fisher’s heaven with beaches, estuaries, rocks, jetties or you can even charter a boat to try your best at reeling in the ‘big one’! 

For beach fishing, we suggest Waitpinga or drive onto the beach at Moana and park up.  If boat fishing is your thing, chance your luck catching bream on the Coorong or join a chartered fishing trip from one of the coastal towns.  Kids will enjoy dangling their fishing lines from the jetties at Port Noarlunga or Rapid Bay.

Stand up paddle boarding

Stand up paddle boarding, or SUP as it’s commonly known, is a great activity to enjoy outdoors and increase your fitness.  The Onkaparinga River is a popular SUP location, or rent a board from Surf & Sun at Middleton.  We can’t promise you won’t fall in the water, but you’re sure to have fun!

Cockling

The local Aboriginal people hunted for cockles for hundreds of years.  Today, you can take a spade and bucket, or bury your feet in the sand at Goolwa and strike it lucky cockle hunting. 

Cockles (pipis) must be at least 3.5cms in length, with a limit of 300 per person a day, you’re not allowed to take them between June and October. To keep up to date with the regulations, visit PIRSA’s website for advise on South Australia’s recreational fishing rules.