Port Elliot, South Australia: Things to do & accommodation prices

Port Elliot in South Australia is a seaside town on Encounter Bay at the top of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Things to do in Port Elliot include snorkelling at Horseshoe Bay. You can also enjoy whales and dolphins at Boomer Beach and the Port Elliot Bakery’s famous doughnuts.

Port Elliot in South Australia is a classic beach town, popular with people wanting a short break from Adelaide. It’s on Encounter Bay, between the two larger towns of Goolwa and Victor Harbor, and life tends to revolve around the beach.

Book Port Elliot accommodation for from around $108 a night.

Port Elliot beaches: Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot Beach and Boomer Beach

The main Port Elliot Beach is on Horseshoe Bay, a curving bay that takes the shape of a horseshoe. The protection of the headlands means swells are generally pretty low at Port Elliot Beach, and it’s fine for swimming. Horseshoe Bay is also a popular snorkelling and diving spot, as there are reefs just offshore.

Horseshoe Bay in Port Elliot, South Australia, has low swells and good snorkelling. Photo by Graham Scheer.

If you prefer your beach experience a little more wild, then Boomer Beach to the east is longer, quieter and has better waves. Body-boarders tend to have a better time of it here than surfers, however, and the waves can dump you heavily at the eastern end of Boomer Beach.

Boomer Beach is also a good spot for wildlife sightings in Port Elliot. Dolphins and whales are often spotted swimming close to the shore.

Things to do in Port Elliot, SA: Museum and winery

Away from the beaches, the main attraction in Port Elliot is the Southern Fleurieu Historical Museum. Unless you’re particularly enthusiastic about the history of the Fleurieu Peninsula and looking at old farming equipment, you’re probably better off giving this a miss.

Nearby is the Number 58 Cellar Door and Gallery. Number 58 acts as the cellar door for Thunderbird Wines, but if you’re really interested in wine-tasting, you’ll have stopped in the McLaren Vale on the way. There are dozens of excellent McLaren Vale wineries, including Serafino Wines, the Woodstock Winery and Hugh Hamilton Wines. Spend your time there, instead.

More things to do in Port Elliot: Cockle Train & Umbirra Wildlife Park

Other attractions in Port Elliot include the Cockle Train. This heritage tourist railway runs between Victor Harbor and Goolwa, but you can board at Port Elliot if you wish. There’s also the Port Elliot Bakery, which has reached state-wide fame for its meat pies and doughnuts. If you’d prefer to see Australian wildlife, then the Urimbirra Wildlife Park is close by in Hindmarsh Valley.

Other options nearby include learning to surf at Middleton Beach.

Port Elliot accommodation

The drive from Adelaide to Port Elliot is 81km long, and takes just over an hour. Port Elliot accommodation is available at the Port Elliot caravan park. Pricier alternatives include the Authenticity Spa Resort.

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