Stories of Whaling, Shipwrecks and early European Settlers

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.