4-Day Heysen Trail Walking Tour with Whale-Watching from Adelaide

Adelaide, Australia

Escape on a 4-day guided walking tour in South Australia along the Heysen Trail. Victor Harbor, located just a short drive from Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula, offers stunning rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. It’s perfect for an escape including whale-watching off the coast. You may also spot seals and dolphins.

Your tour has been created for you to slow down, relax, unwind and walk. Enjoy the morning walks, then relax in the afternoon and explore the local area. Your small-group tour includes transfers to and from Adelaide, premium accommodation, a guide, many meals and wine-tasting.

Day 1 Adelaide to Fleurieu Coast (L, D)

Your day begins when you are met by your guide for the tour. You are picked up in the morning at your centrally located Adelaide hotel and travel by bus to your first stop, McLaren Vale, a world-renowned wine-growing area. Your tour stops at a local winery where you are treated to wine-tasting followed by a lunch of local produce. After lunch you travel through rich farmland and rolling hills to the coast on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula. Here your accommodation has been chosen for its charm and quality, in the historic towns of either Goolwa, Middleton or Port Elliot. You have free time to relax and stroll to the beach, or explore the area further before dinner.

Day 2 Balquhidder to Waitpinga Beach - 6.2-mile (10-kilometer) walk, grade easy to moderate (B, L, D)

Today is your first walk along the Heysen Trail. After breakfast your guide will pick you up by bus for the trip to Balquhidder. Your walk takes in some of the most spectacular views of the coast and country. Walk picturesque farmland, unspoiled sandy beaches, rocky headlands and maybe spot a whale. From the cliffs at Balquhidder you have unspoiled views to the Southern Ocean. You descend from the cliffs to sandy Parsons Beach. Here you can enjoy a stroll along the beach to the headland at the end of Parsons Beach, before walking further to finish your walk at Waitpinga Beach.

After lunch in Victor Harbor it’s time for a wildlife and sightseeing tour with the Big Duck Boat Tour (weather-permitting). Departing from near Granite Island the Big Duck Boat Tour heads out to look for sea lions, seals, dolphins, and in the winter months you may see Southern Right Whales. You are back at your accommodation in time to unwind before dinner.

Day 3 Waitpinga Beach to Kings Beach - 8-mile (13-kilometer) walk, grade moderate (B, L, D)

Your second walk is five hours along the coast. Today you can enjoy the views. Your guide will pick you up after breakfast. Your walk begins at Waitpinga Beach where you can take spectacular photos of the broad sandy beach. You will start your walk through coastal sand dunes and low-lying scrub before a gradual climb to Newland Head Conservation Park.  From Newland Head your walk continues to follow the cliffs, giving stunning coastal views until you reach Kings Beach. Lunch will be a picnic on the trail overlooking the cliffs in Newland Head Conservation Park. After lunch there is time to stop by a farm-based gin distillery, where you can sample fine spirits and local produce. You are back at your accommodation in time to rest before dinner. 

Day 4  Fleurieu Coast to Adelaide (B)

After breakfast you are picked up by bus and arrive back in Adelaide by midday.