Finally! The days are getting longer, the sun a bit warmer and the joys of spring are everywhere on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.

If you’re looking to shrug off winter and leap into spring, here are 5 top reasons why you should make the journey to the Fleurieu Peninsula soon.

 The Goolwa, Middleton, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor regions are the place to be in spring, with fantastic coastal views as you travel between these area and so much to do in each of the towns, starting with these ideas.

Canola Bright

At this time of year the canola crops are at their peak, so taking a drive while they are still in bloom is sure to bring some sunshine into your life.

There are canola fields to see without diverting off the main roads in Goolwa and Middleton, but make sure to pull over and stop safely to take photos, or even better, duck around a side road next to the fields, so you can be off the road and safe.

These are working farms so DON’T enter the canola, stay behind the fences and enjoy the delightful spectacle.

Whale Watching

The annual whale visitors are still in the region for a little while longer, and most days you’ll spot the mothers and calves along the coastline between Port Elliot and Middleton.

If you’re lucky you may spot the calves clearly when they spy hop, tail or fin slap and breach occasionally. Patience is the key when you’re whale watching, and to get the best advice on their locations, it pays to keep an eye on the Whale Centre’s whale sighting log or Facebook page notifications.

Urimbirra Wildlife Park

On the entry to Victor Harbor, on the Victor Harbor Road and Welch Road corner, you’ll find Urimbirra Wildlife Park, and at this time of year there are baby animals galore to see.

This privately run wildlife park relies on the money that comes through the gate to fund it and the entry price to wander through this open range park is very reasonable.

For $1 a bag, you can also purchase pellets to feed to the kangaroos and they are very familiar with the look and sound of the food bags, coming to greet you when they notice. There is a huge mob of roos so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to feed them and get up close enough to see the joeys they are carrying at the moment.

Also at the moment, one of the 7 koalas they have has a joey and you may just be lucky enough to spot it on its mum’s back as she moves about the enclosure. At Urimbirra you can get up close to koalas too, with a viewing sessions held every day at 11am and 2pm. There you can get up close, take photos and give these gorgeous cuddly critters a pat.

In the park you can also see dingoes, snakes and reptiles including crocodiles, echidna, birds and some farm animals including sheep with lambs, and alpacas. There are more spring babies to see with chickens and guinea pigs too.

For the brave you can also get involved with snake handling, which happens every day at 3pm, and that experience is also included in your ticket price.

You can keep the visit relatively inexpensive too by taking your own picnic or using the BBQ in the park. For a treat though I’d recommend a visit to Tommy’s Bus Stop, a food van parked right next to the Urimbirra Wildlife Park, which serves up very good coffee and fresh filled bagels. Check their social pages for opening days and times.

Nangawooka Flora Reserve

This 5 acre reserve is across the Victor Harbor Road from Urimbirra Wildlife Park, and is a free native plant garden that you can take a wander through to see more than 1,250 species of plants growing.

Being spring there are many plants in bloom at the moment and it’s a lovely peaceful stroll to take through the garden on its well-defined paths.

Plants in the garden are labelled, so you can take a note of any that you may want to find and plant up at home. Better yet, keep an eye on the Nangawooka social media for when the Friends group hold their annual native plant sale, which if you’re in the area, happens to be this Sunday 13^th September from 10am to 3pm.

Victor Harbor Rock n Roll Festival

The 2026 Rock n Roll Festival will be held in Victor Harbor from 18-20 September and visitors will find a packed program of events and exhibitions, from live music, classic cars, memorabilia and market stalls over this fun weekend.

There are singing and dancing performances and visitors are encouraged to dress up in your best fashion of the era and boogie, swing and jive through the weekend.

Events happen all around town and a lot of it is free, with cars and bikes on display along Coral Street, Ocean Street and in Warland Reserve down by the coast. There will also be food vans around to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the fun.

See you out there!

Glenys