Granite Island, South Australia - Horse Drawn Trams, Wildlife & Granite Boulders

Wander * Explore * Discover
Mar 22, 2023
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Granite Island, South Australia - Horse Drawn Trams, Wildlife & Granite Boulders

Granite Island is one of the most popular and picturesque attractions in Victor Harbor, offering rugged coastal scenery, ocean views and an easy, family-friendly walking trail. Linked to the mainland by a long causeway, the island feels wonderfully removed despite being just minutes from town.

The highlight of a visit is the Kaiki Trail, a scenic circuit walk that showcases dramatic granite formations, sweeping views over Victor Harbor, The Bluff, and the Southern Ocean, and several well-placed lookouts along the way.

Getting to Granite Island

Granite Island is reached by crossing the 650-metre causeway from Victor Harbor. You can walk across at your own pace, enjoying views back to the town and out to sea, or hop aboard the famous horse-drawn tram, a much-loved local experience and one of the last of its kind in the world. Both options add to the charm of visiting the island and make it accessible for all ages.

Kaiki Trail Walk Overview

Distance: 2.9 kilometres - Time: Around 1 hour - Grade: Easy

The Kaiki Trail is a well-formed circuit track that loops around the island. It’s mostly flat with some wooden steps and gentle inclines, making it suitable for most fitness levels.

Walking the Kaiki Trail

After crossing the causeway, we followed the trail clockwise, passing the café and jetty before beginning the circuit. Early on, wooden steps lead up to elevated viewpoints, where the coastal scenery really opens up. From these lookouts, you’ll enjoy fantastic views back across Victor Harbor, along the coastline, and towards The Bluff, one of the Fleurieu Peninsula’s most recognisable landmarks.

Granite Boulders and Coastal Scenery

As the trail continues, the landscape becomes more rugged, with enormous granite boulders scattered along the shoreline. These ancient rock formations give the island its name and create a dramatic contrast against the deep blue of the ocean.

One of the most famous formations is Umbrella Rock, a striking granite structure shaped by millions of years of wind and wave erosion. It’s a popular photo stop and a clear highlight of the walk.

Views, Wildlife and Safety

Much of the Kaiki Trail runs close to the cliff edges, offering uninterrupted ocean views. While the track is well marked and maintained, care should be taken, especially on windy days or when walking with children. Keep an eye out for seabirds along the cliffs, and depending on the season, you may spot marine life in the waters surrounding the island.

Completing the Circuit

After Umbrella Rock, the trail gently descends and loops back towards the causeway, completing the circuit with more coastal views before returning to the mainland.

The walk is short but rewarding, making it easy to combine with other Victor Harbor attractions in a single visit.

Facilities on Granite Island

Granite Island is well set up for visitors, with:

Café (open seven days)
Toilets, including disabled access
Picnic tables and seating

These facilities make it a comfortable stop whether you’re just walking the trail or spending a few relaxed hours on the island.

Why Granite Island Is Worth Visiting

Granite Island offers one of the best easy coastal walks on the Fleurieu Peninsula, combining dramatic scenery, unique rock formations and sweeping ocean views — all just a short distance from Victor Harbor.

Whether you walk or ride the horse-drawn tram across the causeway, the Kaiki Trail is a must-do experience that captures the rugged beauty and relaxed coastal charm of South Australia’s southern coast.