Sellicks Beach — Attraction in Adelaide

Sellicks Beach, with its sweeping cliffs and turquoise waters, is seen by many as a stunning coastal getaway. Tourists and locals come here to swim, fish, surf, and drive along the sand, enjoying the beauty of the Fleurieu Peninsula. But for Kaurna people, the Traditional Owners of this land, Sellicks Beach is much more than a picturesque spot—it is a place of deep cultural and spiritual significance, connected to stories, ancestors, and Country.

Long before this place was called Sellicks Beach, it was part of Kaurna Country, where people lived in harmony with the land and sea. The cliffs, sand dunes, and waters hold ancient stories, passed down through generations. The coastline provided food, shelter, and ceremony—a place where Kaurna people fished, gathered shellfish, and cared for the land according to cultural law and respect for the environment.

But like so much of Kaurna Yerta (Kaurna Country), colonisation disrupted and displaced the original custodians of this land. European settlement brought fences, roads, and laws that excluded Aboriginal people from their own Country. Sacred sites were ignored or destroyed, and traditional knowledge was dismissed. Even today, while people freely drive on the beach, many are unaware that they are treading on land that holds the footsteps of Kaurna ancestors.

Sellicks Beach, like many parts of South Australia, has a history that is largely untold in mainstream narratives. It is not just a holiday destination—it is stolen land, where Kaurna sovereignty was never ceded. While visitors admire the cliffs, few stop to ask about the Kaurna names for this place, the Dreaming stories connected to the coastline, or the impact of colonisation on the people who belong to this Country.

True appreciation of Sellicks Beach should go beyond its natural beauty. It should include recognition of Kaurna people, past and present, and a commitment to respecting and protecting Country. That means asking: How can we honour the original custodians of this place? How can we ensure Aboriginal voices are heard in decisions about land and water? And how can we walk together toward truth-telling and reconciliation?

Sellicks Beach is not just a place of leisure—it is a place of memory, culture, and survival. And the land, like the Kaurna...

I love this place. The beach is 2WD accessible. It was busy during the weekend. A lot of people come here for sun bathing, riding boats, for a walk, BBQ, and more. Being 2WD accessible, the beach is actually busy and occupied. This is a beautiful place. The waves aren’t rought too. There is a point after which your dogs can be off leash. But beyond this point no vehicles can go. I would say beyond this point is the most beautiful part of this beach comes. There are amazing rock formations. If you are fit enough, you may climb to one of them for a great photograph. There is ramp access and stairs to get to the beach. There’s a vehicle park above beach level as well. The stones on the beach...

Great place to visit if you have a 4x4 as you can drive onto the beach and park where you'd like to swim. Although accessible by 2x4 cars I wouldn't recommend it as its easy to get stuck near the entrance where there is a lot of dry sand.

Also a great beach for little kids as the water slowly gets deeper (you could go like 30m into the water and it'd be roughly around 1.5m deep depending on tide levels. Though you might wanna keep an eye out for crabs if you...