A small rocky island off the Victor Harbor foreshore, home to a little penguin colony and accessed by the iconic horse-drawn tram causeway.
An island a causeway away
Granite Island sits 80km south of Adelaide, just off the foreshore of Victor Harbor in Encounter Bay. The small granite outcrop is linked to the mainland by a 630m causeway - crossed by foot, the horse-drawn tram, or bicycle.
What to see and do
- Little penguins - Granite Island is home to a small colony of little penguins (the world's smallest penguin species). Evening penguin tours depart from the island kiosk.
- Kaiki Walk - a 1km loop track around the island with sweeping views back to Victor Harbor, the Bluff and across Encounter Bay
- Seals and whales - Australian fur seals bask on the island's eastern rocks, and southern right whales pass through Encounter Bay from May to October
- Cafe and kiosk - a cafe on the island serves food and coffee
Getting there
Walk the 630m causeway (free), catch the heritage horse-drawn tram (small fare), or cycle across on the shared pedestrian path. Allow 1-2 hours to enjoy the loop walk and lookouts.
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Granite Island — frequently asked questions
How do you get to Granite Island?
Granite Island is joined to Victor Harbor by a causeway. You can walk across in about 10–15 minutes, or ride the historic horse-drawn tram that runs from the Victor Harbor foreshore. Private cars cannot drive onto the island.
Can you drive to Granite Island?
No — the causeway is for the horse-drawn tram and pedestrians only. Park on the Victor Harbor foreshore and walk or take the tram across.
What is there to do on Granite Island?
The main attraction is the Kaiki Walk, a looping trail around the island past dramatic granite boulders and ocean lookouts. The island is also known for its little penguins, best seen on a guided evening tour, and for whale watching across Encounter Bay between roughly May and October.
Sources
- Granite Island - Wikipedia - Wikipedia (accessed April 2026)
Image credits
- Granite Island, April 2017 , CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons