- Duration
- 1 day, ~180 km by car (≈ 3 h 25 min: moving and stop time only)
- Who it suits
- With kids
- Transport
- drive, walk, tram
- Start
- Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot
- Finish
- Granite Island
- Pace
- relaxed pace
- Best time
- June–September for whales, December–March for the beach
- Budget per adult
- horse tram return A$30; two children aged 4 to 13 ride free with an adultPrices as of: October 2026
Getting there
Victor Harbor is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car. Horse tram tickets aren't sold online: you buy them from the driver at the platform.
Stops in order
The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.
1. Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot~1 h at the stop
A horseshoe cove sheltered by rocks from the ocean swell, so swimming is calmer than on the beaches either side.
Tip: Swim between the flags; the water is calmer in the morning.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 12 min · 8 km
2. South Australian Whale Centre~45 min at the stop
A small whale museum on Railway Terrace by the causeway. May to October it posts where southern right whales were seen today.
Tip: Entry is paid; in season ask about the latest sightings before the island walk.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 3 min · 0.2 km
3. Horse Drawn Tram~15 min at the stop
Clydesdales pull a double-decker carriage along the 650 m causeway. First tram 10:30am, last at 2:30pm on weekdays and 2:40pm on weekends.
Worth knowing: The new causeway opened in December 2021 beside the old timber one; the tram returned in 2022.
Tip: A$20 one way, A$30 return, and up to two children ride free with each paying adult. Times change, so check the website on the day.
Open on the map ↗↓ tram · 10 min · 0.7 km
4. Granite Island~1 h at the stop
A granite island with a circuit path and views over Encounter Bay.
Tip: Walk back along the causeway and buy a one-way tram ticket.
Open on the map ↗
Before you go
- Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
- Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
- On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.