Victor Harbor: Stories of Whaling, Shipwrecks and European Settlers Guided Tour

On this tour, you will hear about the local maritime history, which includes the early and successful whaling industry around the Bluff and Granite Island.

You will be told stories about the early fishing families and learn how a number of shipwrecks in Encounter Bay persuaded the colony administrators that it would not be a suitable capital city for South Australia.

Together with your local guide we will take you for a stroll along the coast and to out-of-the-way places around the streets of Yilki, which is four kilometres from Victor Harbor.

The word Yilki is an Aboriginal word meaning place by the sea.

You will hear stories of the early European settlers who made their new home in Yilki.

And you will see sites of heritage importance, including one of South Australia’s first inns.

We start at the Bay and hear about the whales that come into the Bay

We stop at the Yilki store for a drink refreshment (inclusive) and hear about the early whaling in the Bay and Whaling stories

We walk to the Tabernacle cemetery, and hear about the original chapel, the first internments, and there is an opportunity to view the original graves of early settlers.

We stop at the heritage listed home of one of the early settlers at Yilki. We hear about the early fishing industry, so important to the town

We see one of the oldest inn in South Australia and hear about its rich industry, including the resident ghost, but also the famous residents who have lived there

We move onto the site which marks the spot of a ship wreck at Yilki, and hear about other wrecks

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Dog friendly