Port Elliot - Palces to See

Discovery Trail - Port Elliot

There is a small brochure which includes a map and outlines nearly sixty attractions in the area around Port Elliot. There are 13 sites on the Coastal Walks including Aboriginal middens, the local blowhole and Watsons Gap at the end of Boomers Beach. There is a list of 28 buildings in the heart of the town (this is the Port Elliot Red walk) including the Hotel Elliot (built 1868), the Council Chambers (1879) in The Strand, the Library (1880) and Institute (1882) in Young Street, Young's General Store (the original was built in 1853) in The Strand, the Court House (1866) and Police Station including old court room (1853). There are a further 24 places of interest surrounding the central town area (this is the Port Elliot Blue walk) and this includes a number of particularly interesting buildings at the seaside end of The Strand.

The walking map is available at the Port Elliot Historical Centre which is located in the Railway Station between The Strand and Young Street.

The Steam Train
The steam train, a reminder of the origins of the town and the whole region, only runs during the school holidays but it runs three times a day from Goolwa to Victor Harbor stopping at Port Elliot.

Freeman's Knob
Is it Freemans Knob, Freeman's Knob or Freeman's Nob as it is spelt on the obelisk. (there seems to be some dispute about the spelling - there is no consistency) . The obelisk is actually made of limestone but was cement rendered in the 1930s and painted white. It is not the same as it was originally structure. Constructed in January 1852, it used to have a blue flag which could be seen 15 nautical miles out to sea and was used as a guiding point to get ships into the harbour. Near the obelisk there is an impressive set of steps which were built in 1936 'In memory of our pioneers'. There are a set of stairs which run from the obelisk to a path which leads around the rocks to the south. This is a pleasant and interesting walk.

Boomers Beach
The huge waves which caused such problems for the early sailing ships are ideal for experienced surfers. Boomers Beach, when the waves are running, is one of the best locations on the South Australian coast.

Middleton
Today Middleton, because it is so close to Port Elliot, is really nothing more than a north-easterly extension of the town. It has a number of holiday accommodation destinations. Historically it developed around the same time as Port Elliot and was largely sustained by the establishment of the largest flour mill on the South Australian South Coast. Typical of the holiday development at Middleton is Mindacowie which was completed in 1911 and for many years operated as guest house being run by two Miss Abbotts.

Motels

Cavalier Inn Motel
The Strand
Port Elliot SA 5212
Telephone: (08) 8554 2067
Rating: ***