Local Experiences
Nature & Parks
Cape Jervis is home to some of the best sea and country views to be found in South Australia, with views that overlook Backstairs Passage and Kangaroo Island. Cape Jervis was named by Matthew Flinders after John Jervis – Lord of the British Admiralty.
The local industries are dairy farming, cropping, tourism, commercial & charter fishing. Cape Jervis is predominantly known as the jumping off point for daily ferry services to Kangaroo Island, however, there are a few things to see and explore whilst you are in the area.
Cape Jervis is the departure point for the ferry service to Kangaroo Island, which lies off the mainland of South Australia, southwest of Adelaide. Over a third of the island is protected in nature reserves, home to native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and diverse bird species.
In the west, Flinders Chase National Park is known for penguin colonies and striking coastal rock formations, like the sculpted Remarkable Rocks and the stalactite-covered Admirals Arch. There is a variety of one or two day tours around the island or you can take your own car over, or hire one on the island, and do a self drive trip at your own pace.
Cape Jervis has a few Fishing Charter operators that offer fishing trips to catch the local Snapper, King George Whiting, Tuna (in season) to name a few. Gary Lloyd from Fleurieu Fishing Charters has a couple of charter boats to cater for this popular sport, contact Gary on 0408 833 145 to organise your own fishing trip.
Starfish Hill Wind Farm is a wind power station spread over two hills near Cape Jervis, South Australia. It has 23 wind turbines, eight on Starfish Hill itself and 15 on Salt Creek Hill, with a combined generating capacity of 34.5 MW of electricity.
Deep Creek Conservation Park is the largest portion of remaining natural vegetation on the Fleurieu Peninsula and is home to an array of native wildlife such as western grey kangaroos, short beaked echidnas and 100 species of birds that can be heard and seen while walking in the park. Whales can be seen cruising the coast during their annual migration which takes place from June to October.
Tallisker Mine Walk – this walk, in Talisker Conservation Park, guides you through a nineteenth century mining and ore processing operation. Learn about the ingenuity of the Cornish miners and their families as you walk through naturally regenerating bushland teeming with wildflowers and wildlife.
The Heysen Trail, 1200km long extends from Cape Jervis, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, to Parachilna Gorge, in the Flinders Ranges, traversing coastal areas, native bushland, rugged gorges, pine forests, vineyards, rich farmland and historic towns. It caters for both the serious backpacker hiking the entire trail and also for walkers doing day walks along the shorter sections.
The picnic area by the general store at Delamere has been colourfully decorated by local artists, residents and students from Yankalilla Area School and Rapid Bay Area School. The artists worked on developing artistic panels that are now permanently on display as part of the Leafy Sea Dragon Festival (now Festival Fleurieu) which is well worth a stop to enjoy the artwork.
Enjoy a short walk with the family to Ingalalla Falls, located on Hay Flat Road. The trail starts at the picnic area, following the creek upstream for 250 metres to reach the rock pools and waterfall. There are several picnic areas along the way.
See the unique Leafy Sea Dragons at Rapid Bay, Rapid Bay Jetty is the seadragon capital of the world and is one of Adelaide’s most popular dive sites due to its resident population of exquisite ornately camouflaged leafy or Glauert’s Seadragons (Phycodurus eques).
Visit the local golf courses at Wirinna Cove and Lady Bay
Pony Rides are available at High Country Trails at Lady Bay – ring 08 8558 2507 or 0408 795 373
Sample some locals wines at Allusion Winery at 127 Smith Hill Rd, Yankalilla SA 5203, Allusion Wines is a family owned and managed boutique winery set in the heart of South Australia’s beautiful fleurieu peninsula.
Take a walk around the Yankalilla Historical Museum located at 169 Main Road, Yankalilla to see some of the interesting relics from the district.
Take a visit to the Smiling Samoyed Brewery, Hansen Street Myponga 08 8558 6166 and taste their locally brewed beers and enjoy somethings from their food menu.
For something a bit more adventurous head over to Waitpinga Farm, 1161 Waitpinga Road, Waitpinga, the home of Quad Bike Adventures and select the adventure you have been wanting to go on.
If you are wanting to do something on the water give Rapid Bay Kayaking Tours a ring, 08 8295 8812 or email bookings@adventurekayak.com.au and book a kayaking tour at the beautiful Rapid Bay area.
Or if you want to go under the water the local shipwreck of the HMAS Hobart is located just off Lady Bay in the Encounter Bay Marine Park it’s a very popular diving spot, full of marine life. Please note that a dive permit is required to dive there.
The beautiful city of Victor Harbor is a short 55km away, there you will find the famous horse drawn tram to Granite Island, Oceanic Victor where you can swim with the Tuna fish, just a few of the many activities that can be enjoyed there.
If you enjoy visiting wineries McLaren Vale is not far away, it has over 80 wineries to choose from and is most famous for its shiraz. It also has a great variety of places to shop, eat and enjoy a coffee.