Publish date: February 2020
Positioned near the western tip of SA’s stunning Fleurieu Peninsula, Cape Jervis is a small town with big appeal.
Its glorious location puts it within easy reach of stunning stretches of coastline and brilliant beaches, famous wine regions, and enthralling adventures.
In addition, Cape Jervis is a gateway to magnificent Kangaroo Island with a ferry terminal leading directly to this star-studded area.
Want to know more? Read on for your guide to this spectacular slice of SA.
Where: 105km south of Adelaide (1hr 45min drive).
Population: 264 (as at 2016 Census).
Local landmark: An unusually shaped lighthouse.
Fishing
Considering its prime coastal positioning, it should not surprise that Cape Jervis is a fishing hotspot.
Several fishing charters operate from Cape Jervis and explore waters buzzing with abundant species.
Just south of town is aptly named Fishery Beach, a popular spot for dangling a line. It was once home to a whaling station, and ruins from its former life remain today.
Deep Creek Conservation Park
This extensive park is ideal for wildlife watching, home to kangaroos, echidnas, and dozens of bird species. And while admiring the beautiful coastal vistas, whales can be spotted during migration season, usually June-October.
A network of walking tracks, from moderate to challenging, reveal Deep Creek’s many highlights, which also include a waterfall and seasonal wildflowers. And it’s all just a 20min drive from Cape Jervis.
Cape Jervis is within grasp of some seriously spectacular beaches, which are often crowd dodgers. Approximate distance from Cape Jervis in brackets.
Pack the clubs if heading to Cape Jervis. The town is within range of a few fabulous fairways. Links Lady Bay at Normanville and New Terry Golf Resort are within a 30min drive and Victor Harbor Golf Club and McCracken Golf Club can be reached inside an hour.
Day tripping has its rewards. This trio of coastal destinations are all neighbours and can be reached in about an hour’s drive or thereabouts.
Victor Harbor: Popular, vibrant town well-known for its horse-drawn tram service that reaches Granite Island and its colony of little penguins. Markets, museums, and a steam train service to Goolwa are among other leading attractions.
Port Elliot: Cute town home to boutique shops and overlooking glorious Horseshoe Bay.
Goolwa: Historic port location offering paddlesteamer rides and a pretty wharf with a microbrewery and distillery among other attractions.
Roughly an hour’s drive from Cape Jervis is the world-famous McLaren Vale district. This alluring area is regarded as the birthplace of SA wine and features upwards of 70 cellar doors that blend iconic labels with boutique beauties.
Rich reds rule here – notably shiraz and cabernet sauvignon – but a wide selection of wines is available to sample. Hugh Hamilton, Wirra Wirra, and d'Arenberg are among many solid selections.
This treasure-rich patch is Australia’s third-largest island and combines epic wildlife encounters, brilliant beaches, funky rock formations, caves, sand dunes, a thriving art and craft scene, delicious produce, and so much more.
And getting to Kangaroo Island is best achieved via either the SeaLink ferry, which is a car and passenger ferry; or Kangaroo Island Connect, which is a passenger-only ferry. Both have daily services between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw.
There’s even a special Penneshaw Markets return ferry special available at selected times.
BIG4 Cape Jervis Accommodation & Caravan Park
Park type: Classic.
Boasting a tranquil, country feel and offering sweeping sea views, this charming park blends its past as a historical sheep station with the present.
There is some unique accommodation among the many options that reflect the property’s heritage, including a shearer’s quarters, homesteads, and cosy cottages. It’s all backed by spacious caravan and camping grounds in beautiful surrounds.
Onsite facilities include a licensed restaurant/bistro that’s open daily, an action-packed kids’ play area, and a camp kitchen.
And for those not wanting to take their car or caravan to Kangaroo Island, BIG4 Cape Jervis has a secure parking lot available.
Isn’t it time you had a SA getaway? Book your Cape Jervis break with BIG4 now.
