South Australia (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Gulf St Vincent Beaches
A series of superb swimming beaches, often known as the wine coast, runs along the Gulf St Vincent shore roughly parallel to the Southern Vales, from O’Sullivans Beach down to Sellicks Beach, beyond which the coastline becomes rockier. They’re all easily accessible from Adelaide on public transport: take the train from Adelaide to Noarlunga Centre and bus #750 to the various beaches.
PORT NOARLUNGA is the main town, surrounded by steep cliffs and sand hills: its jetty is popular with anglers, and with wetsuit-clad teenagers who dive-bomb from it; at low tide a natural reef is exposed. Lifesavers patrol the local beaches, and you can rent surf and snorkelling gear at Ocean Graffix Surf and Skate Centre, 21 Salt Fleet Point. Moana, two beaches south, has fairly tame surf that’s perfect for novices. The southern end of Maslins Beach, south again, broke new ground by becoming Australia’s first legal nude bathing beach in 1975. The wide, isolated beach is reached by a long, steep walking track down the colourful cliffs from the Tait Road car park, deterring all but the committed. Port Willunga, the next stop down, offers interesting diving around the wreck of the Star of Greece. Aldinga Beach is the end of the line for public transport – you’ll need a lift or transport of your own to reach the 6km of firm sand at Sellicks Beach.