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On the Road with Ned McHenry: Port Elliot, South Australia's Beachfront Escape Hiding in Plain Sight
This week on FiveAA, Ned McHenry explored Port Elliot, and if you missed the segment, here's the full rundown of this amazing region!
Port Elliot sits about an hour south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula, wedged between the wild swells of the Southern Ocean and a main street that still looks like it belongs on a postcard from 1955. It's the kind of place where the biggest decision you'll make all day is whether to have the vanilla slice or the custard tart from the bakery. Spoiler: have both. You're on holidays.
Listen to the full segment here: https://youtu.be/PortElliot
Why Port Elliot, and Why Now
Every coastal town on the Fleurieu has its own personality. Victor Harbor's got the horse-drawn tram and Granite Island. Goolwa's got the Murray Mouth and the old paddle steamers. But Port Elliot? Port Elliot's got Horseshoe Bay, a curved, cliff-hugged stretch of turquoise water that's sheltered enough for the kids to splash about in, and pretty enough that you'll forget to check your phone for hours at a time.
This is a town built for slow mornings and long lunches. You wake up, you walk to the bakery, you argue about whether the pie floater counts as breakfast, and then you spend the rest of the day deciding between the beach, the boutiques, or the pub. There's no wrong answer.
What to See and Do in Port Elliot
Horseshoe Bay is the headline act: golden sand, a rocky boardwalk clinging to the cliffs above it, and views out toward Rosetta Head (locals call it "The Bluff") that make the whole drive down from Adelaide worth it before you've even unpacked. It's a genuine swimming beach too, protected from the open ocean swell that hammers the rest of the coastline here.
The Cockle Train rattles along the clifftop between Victor Harbor, Port Elliot and Goolwa on selected days, and if you've got kids (or you're just a sucker for a heritage railway with an ocean view), it's an easy half-day out.
The Encounter Bikeway runs right along the coast, so if you've packed the bikes, or hired a couple in town, you can ride the clifftops between Victor Harbor and Goolwa with the Southern Ocean putting on a show the whole way.
The famous bakery. I'm not going to pretend I know a local who doesn't have an opinion on it. Port Elliot's bakery has built a genuine reputation across the Fleurieu, and a stroll there for breakfast is basically a rite of passage for anyone staying in town.
The main street does boutique shopping properly, small, independent stores rather than a strip of chains, plus a couple of proper local pubs where you can watch the sun go down over a counter meal and a cold one.
Beyond town, you're perfectly placed for day trips: Middleton for a surf check, Goolwa for the Murray Mouth and the Coorong, Victor Harbor for Granite Island and (if you're there June through October) a genuine chance of spotting southern right whales off the coast, and Second Valley or Deep Creek Conservation Park if you want to swap the beach for bushwalking and cliffside views for a day.
Getting There
Port Elliot is roughly 85 kilometres, about an hour's drive, south of Adelaide via the Southern Expressway and Victor Harbor Road. It's an easy day trip if you're pressed for time, but it genuinely rewards a longer stay. This is a town you settle into, not one you tick off a list.
Where to Stay: The Boomer Holiday House
If you want to actually live the Port Elliot experience rather than just visit it for the afternoon, staying beachfront changes everything. The Boomer Holiday House puts you within an easy stroll of Horseshoe Bay, the boutique shops, the local pubs, and yes, that bakery, with sea views from the front balcony and a fenced yard out back for the kids or the dog (it's pet friendly, outside pets welcome). Three bedrooms, sleeps up to six, and a rear entertaining area with a gas BBQ for the nights you'd rather stay in and watch the sky do its thing over the water.
It's currently up for auction at Travel Auctions, three nights for four people, bidding closes in 2 days. If Port Elliot's been on your list, this is the kind of listing that doesn't hang around.
Q&A: Everything You're Wondering About Port Elliot
Q: What is Port Elliot known for? A: Port Elliot is best known for Horseshoe Bay, a sheltered swimming beach framed by cliffs, along with its heritage main street, boutique shopping, and a bakery with a reputation that extends well beyond the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Q: How far is Port Elliot from Adelaide? A: Port Elliot is about 85 kilometres from Adelaide, roughly an hour's drive south via the Southern Expressway and Victor Harbor Road.
Q: Is Port Elliot good for families? A: Yes. Horseshoe Bay is a protected, gentle swimming beach, the Cockle Train and Encounter Bikeway both run through town, and the walk from most accommodation to the beach and shops is short and flat, ideal for families with young kids.
Q: Is Port Elliot pet friendly? A: Many holiday houses in town, including the Boomer Holiday House, welcome pets outside at the operator's discretion, making Port Elliot a solid choice for a beach trip with the dog.
Q: What's the best time of year to visit Port Elliot? A: Summer (December to February) is peak swimming season at Horseshoe Bay, while June through October brings cooler weather but a genuine chance of spotting southern right whales along the coast near Victor Harbor.
Q: What else is nearby if I base myself in Port Elliot? A: Victor Harbor, Goolwa, Middleton, Second Valley and Deep Creek Conservation Park are all within a short drive, so a Port Elliot base gives you easy access to most of the Fleurieu Peninsula's coastline and wine country.
Q: Can I bid on accommodation in Port Elliot through Travel Auctions? A: Yes, Travel Auctions regularly lists Fleurieu Peninsula stays, including the beachfront Boomer Holiday House in Port Elliot, up for auction to members.