Granite Island — Attraction in South Australia

Granite Island at Victor Harbor is a truly captivating destination that offers an unforgettable blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and history. Just a short distance from the mainland, this picturesque island is easily accessible by the famous causeway, whether you choose to walk or take the horse-drawn tram for a unique experience.

Once on the island, visitors are immediately struck by the stunning coastal views, rugged granite cliffs, and tranquil beaches. The island is a haven for nature lovers, with walking trails that lead you through diverse landscapes, from windswept headlands to serene, sheltered coves. The iconic Granite Island penguin tour is a must-do, offering the chance to see the island’s resident Little Penguins up close as they return to their burrows at dusk—a magical and memorable experience.

Beyond its natural beauty, Granite Island also holds historical significance, with remnants of its past as a fishing and shipping hub. The old stone walls and buildings add a fascinating layer to the visit, and informative signage throughout the island provides context about its rich heritage.

For those who enjoy a leisurely visit, the island offers lovely spots to relax and enjoy a picnic, or even indulge in a meal at the island’s café, where you can savor locally sourced food with incredible views of the surrounding ocean.

Granite Island is an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling to Victor Harbor. With its awe-inspiring landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich history, it’s a destination that leaves a lasting impression and invites you to connect with nature in the most peaceful and beautiful...

The bridge / tramway connecting from Victor Harbour to the Granite Island was a very nice walk.

Granite is a harder type of rock that is not commonly available everywhere in Australia, (Sandstone or Limestone are more common), but Granite can be found in some areas in Australia, among those areas the Granite quarries within South Australia produces the biggest portion of Granite for industrial use in Australia.

This Granite Island witnessed this point, as this is a island full of Granite. The Granite quarries in SA range from northern Eyre Peninsula and a zone extending from the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges to the South-East.

During our visit, we saw a lovely seal coming out from water once every 3 minutes for respiration. It's lovely to see it and I have posted the video here.

We walked up to the top of the Granite Island and the walk was pretty easy. We returned to the bridge landing point of the Granite Island without going back to the staircase next to the horse tramway terminus.

The horse tramway was not in operation during our visit, as there was poisonous sea algal bloom due to heatwave in mid-March to early April. The horses was protected from being poisoned by the algal as strong wind and wave could blow up the algal to come...

We visited on a mild day and circumnavigated the island via the walking track. Turned right after crossing the bridge. Track is well maintained and not difficult to walk and affords views at every turn. There are art installations around almost every corner to draw the eye and mind toward different viewpoints and ideas. There is a large staircase at the front edge of the island, the direction we took placed it at the end of our walk, and we were heading down toward the cafe. If you chose to walk from the left, this would place the stairs at the beginning of your walk and you would be climbing to the high point. I’d say this is not wheelchair or stroller friendly, but good for families with mobile children as long as they are capable of keeping away from edges. There are no guard rails around most of the track. The views and the granite structures are amazing! You could sit and watch birds all day if you wanted to, and they run penguin tours here also. Though the colony is only very small. The cafe serve fantastic food and nice, cold drinks for after your stroll. I would definitely...