Victor Harbour

Visited: winter

Recommendation: The township is a very pleasant place to spend time. Even better than that is the number of local wildlife spots that can be accessed. Definitely be worth spending some time.

Victor Harbor is a charming coastal town located on the south coast of Fleurieu Peninsula, about 82 kilometers south of Adelaide. It has a nice feel, is not overdeveloped even though it is clearly a tourist town. One of the best features is the esplanade which runs the length of the town and out to a headland in the west. Birds can be seen all along the route, from pelicans on the rocks to honeyeaters in the bushes. I always have an eye out for the Hooded Plover in places like this but in mid-winter, I was not hopeful. There were plenty of other birds to keep my occupied, however, and I was pleased to see adult Pacific Gulls, sporting fabulous colours on their oversized bills.

Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus)

At the other end of the esplanade is a causeway over to Granite Island. Also known by the Ramindjeri people as Nulcoowarra, it is a small island just off the coast. It's a popular tourist destination known for its unique granite rock formations, abundant wildlife, and historical significance. Apart from anything it is simply beautiful, both from the esplanade, the causeway and looking back from the island itself.

The island is famous for its massive granite boulders, some tinged with orange lichen, creating a dramatic and picturesque landscape. It is also a haven for wildlife. You can spot Little Penguins waddling ashore at dusk, majestic Southern Right Whales migrating between June and October, and playful Australian seals basking on the rocks.

The causeway over to the island is a very pleasant stroll (winds permitting). You can travel over by a horse drawn carriage but I preferred to walk. It was the wrong time of day to see the Little Penguins on land but I was hoping I might catch one in the water surrounding the island. Not to be on this occasion but it is always worth a look whenever you are near the ocean.

There were plenty of Great Crested Terns around and one let me get very close to it, sitting on the railing of the causeway. I also saw hundreds of them sitting on a small island at the back of Granite. I love how the 'crest' is different to normal bird crests, looking more like a bad hair day.

Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii)

There were lots of cormorants sitting on the rocks of the islands and I am always looking for Black-faced Cormorants but none today. It is never disappointing though, when you get close to the other species.

Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)

On the back of the island, I was looking out for Southern Right Whales as they pass through this area in the winter months. No luck again but I did have the pleasure of watching a fur seal bobbing about in the water. They always look like they are having so much fun.

Australian Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus)