Stop and Go

There are times when we need to stop and times when we need to go.

There are so many ways to pause and recharge on the Great South Coast of the Fleurieu:

Each Saturday morning at 8.00am many people gather in the reserve on the corner of Franklin Parade and Harbour View Terrace to go for a 5km run. This is a free fun and friendly community event. You can walk, run, volunteer or spectate—it’s up to you.

Riley Smith—Pastor of the Victor Harbor Baptist Church—volunteers at the Parkrun. Riley says, “Parkrun is a great place to connect with other locals and visitors to the area for a run, walk or wander. The community feel is excellent, and everyone is welcome no matter what your fitness level.”

If going for a run with others is not your thing, there are many amazing walking trails in the area to go for a quiet walk. Why not try one of these lesser known walking tracks:

The Great Big Gorge Walk follows an old coach road along the Yankalilla River. This is a 3.6km return walk. Start from Garnet Kelly Reserve, opposite 6790 Main South Rd, Normanville.

The Banksia Hike at Mount Billy Conservation Park. This is a 2.1km circuit walk. The best time to visit is in spring to see all the wildflowers and orchids. Start the hike from Gate 1, Hindmarsh Tiers Road.

The Victor Harbor Heritage Trail is a 6km walk starting at Petrel Cove Carpark near the Bluff. This is a favourite walk of Stuart Green – Pastor at Futures Church. Stuart says, “This is a place where our beautiful coast views meet our rich local history.”

If you’re looking for a place to stop and take in the serenity, how about visiting one of the many lookouts in the area including Crows Nest Lookout in Port Elliot and Tappanappa Lookout in Deep Creek.

For those who enjoy bike riding, the scenic Encounter Bikeway stretches from The Bluff to Goolwa. From June to September you might be lucky enough to spot a whale as you ride near Middleton. Nigel Rosenzweig, Pastor of Victor Harbor Lutheran Church says, “Nothing pauses a bike ride quite like the majesty of a whale breaching in clear view.”