Port Elliot: The best little town you’ve probably never heard of

There's something about Port Elliot...

Located just 80km south of Adelaide on South Australia’s serene Fleurieu Peninsula, Port Elliot began life in the 1850s as a shipping port, but has since evolved into a relaxing seaside getaway spot. Once you've experienced the charm of this coastal hideaway, you won't believe it hasn’t found its way onto more travellers’ itineraries. 

Port Elliot is a town of boundless beaches and ocean adventures, dramatic coastal walks and bike trails, cute little shops, thriving markets, world-class wines and a burgeoning gourmet food scene with the most popular bakery for miles. There's so much to see and do (and taste) here for such a comparatively small pin on the vast map that is Australia, we're pretty sure it's among the most underrated destinations in the state.

While the town has remained a hidden gem for some time, known only to Fleurieu locals, grey nomads and the select few wily road trippers and backpackers, there are plenty of reasons why it can't fly under the radar for much longer. Here are just a handful of the things that make Port Elliot special.

A picturesque town in a stunning location

Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

You couldn’t dream up a more charming country town than Port Elliot if you tried. Picture historic sandstone buildings shaded by Norfolk Island pines, friendly cafes, quaint antique stores and second-hand book shops. Scenic lookouts, verdant parks, golden beaches and a rustic wooden jetty jutting into the glittering water of South Australia's Long Bay. And all this surprisingly light on tourists. 

Visiting here is like transporting yourself into a real life postcard of yesteryear, and the vibe in this idyllic corner of South Australia is a world apart from the relative bustle of Adelaide (and another universe entirely when compared with Melbourne or Sydney!).

An aquatic kingdom on your doorstep

Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

Water babies, surf lovers, merpeople and marine biologists rejoice – the Fleurieu Peninsula has a staggering amount going on in, around, above or below the ocean, to the extent you’ll feel positively amphibious by the time you leave. We’re talking surf lessons, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, diving, snorkelling, whale watching, boat tours and more.

One of the things that makes this area so special is the Encounter Marine Park, which designates the sea off Port Elliot and its neighbours as a sanctuary for hundreds of species of fish, birds, marine plants and threatened mammals like seals, dolphins and whales. 

Don’t forget your swimsuit when you stay at YHA Port Elliot – this historic beach house overlooks the sheltered Horseshoe Bay which beckons you for a dip every time you look out the window. 

A unique and spectacular coastline

Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

Prefer to keep your feet on dry land? There's more than enough to keep you interested on terra firma in and around Port Elliot.

Work up a sweat (if the sea breeze lets you) on the web of stunning coastal walks that criss-cross the Fleurieu Peninsula. Warm up on the short Harbourmasters Walking Trail, which starts across the road from YHA Port Elliot, before graduating to one of the longer options – the jaw-dropping 11km track along the Waitpinga Cliffs, the 7km beach walk from Victor Harbor to Knight Beach, the steep ascent to Bluff Summit or part of the hefty 30km trail from Victor Harbour to Goolwa.

As mentioned above, you also might get lucky and spot some whales if it's the right season (June to November).

Don't neglect to check out the windswept coastal ecosystem of the Coorong to the east as well, where the wetlands meld into sand dunes along an uninterrupted shoreline, and where beach walks and birdwatching are the name of the game. 

Epicurean delights at your fingertips

Gourmets and oenophiles will find a lot to enjoy in Port Elliot and its surroundings. Perhaps most famously, and situated halfway between the Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide is McLaren Vale, a wine-growing region famous for its dry reds and eclectic mix of cellar doors incorporating everything from 150-year-old shiraz vineyards to envelope-pushing modern wineries. The Fleurieu Peninsula also encompasses a number of other wine-producing areas including Langhorne Creek, Mt Compass, Currency Creek and Kuitpo Forest, plus the elegant No. 58 Cellar Door and Gallery just a short stroll from YHA Port Elliot.

The Fleurieu Peninsula has also developed a vibrant food scene to match its world-class wines, and the various farmers markets sprinkled across the region (such as those in Willunga and Victor Harbor) are the best way to sink your teeth into local produce and artisinal foodstuffs.

A whole region to explore

Port Elliot is the perfect launch pad to explore even more of South Australia’s south coast. If you've come equipped with a vehicle, hop behind the wheel and tackle all or part of the Southern Ocean Drive, which encompasses the highlights of the Fleurieu Peninsula, the trove of natural treasures on Kangaroo Island, and the beautiful Limestone Coast near the Victorian border (home to the Coonawarra wine region, Naracoorte Caves, plus the Blue Lake and Sunken Garden in Mt Gambier). And that's all without touching on the aforementioned McLaren Vale. 

A heritage-listed beach house to enjoy

A gorgeous town deserves a gorgeous place to stay, and we're not exaggerating when we say that YHA Port Elliot is precisely that. This historic beach house has the distinction of being one of the top rated stays in the YHA network, and more than nearly any other YHA in existence, transcends the humble label of 'hostel' by quite a large margin.

This breezy beachside property began life as a guesthouse more than a century ago, and boasts near-270-degree views of Horseshoe Bay from the spacious veranda. Book a stay here in a remarkably affordable private, multi-share or family room, and you'll fall asleep each night to the sound of waves gently lapping on the beach. If you've got a large group, you can even Rent-a-YHA and have the whole place to yourselves.