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Description
Victor Harbor is the main city located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, around 80 km south of Adelaide, South Australia's capital. Due to the abundance of resources in the area, there is a significant history of Indigenous settlers before European settlement. Founded early as a sealing and whaling centre, such operations ceased in 1864 due to a dramatic decline in whale numbers. The city now relies on agriculture and fishing industries for its economy, as well as being a popular tourist destination.
Between June and October, southern right whales make their way past Victor Harbor as they migrate to warmer coastal waters for breeding. With some good binoculars (magnification power of seven or more) you can observe them from several points around the bay, including the Bluff (Rosetta Head). The South Australian Whale Centre has information about whale-watching, as well as operating a whale information network that covers sightings and strandings on the South Australian Coast. Another popular tourist attraction at Victor Harbor is the penguins at nearby Granite Island, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Colonies of penguins inhabit the island and each evening come ashore, returning to their burrows. Daily penguin walks are held at dusk.
Victor Harbor is the centre of the surf zone known as the "South Coast" to Adelaide and local surfers. Popular surf beaches in the area include Parsons, Waitpinga, Middleton and Goolwa. The Granite Island breakwater ensures that the surf in the centre of Victor Harbor itself is fairly calm, although when the swell is really big there is a break known as the "Dump" that breaks right in town. Victor Harbor also offers numerous fishing opportunities varying from offshore reefs for larger boat based anglers to excellent surf fishing on the beaches closer to the Murray Mouth.
The approach along the coast from Melbourne is one of the most attractive journeys in Australia.
