Arts & Culture ...

After soaking up all the sand, sun and nature Victor Harbor has to offer, why not take a look at the various artistic and cultural aspects around the town, from local sculptures, art galleries, local photographic exhibitions, or for something different stop by the Wild Rose Garden and Miniature Village.

Don't miss having a splash around the Whale Tail Sculpture Fountain - it makes for a fantastic photo opportunity, and is located right next to the Encounter Coast Discovery Centre!

The Whole Picture

After scanning the magnificent vistas, bring Victor Harbor into a different focus at the Encounter Coast Discovery Centre. A treasure house of artifacts, photographs and audio-visual displays, the museum tells the compelling stories of the indigenous peoples, the whalers, the agriculturalists and the traders of Victor Harbor. Your visit starts in a modern construction and progresses to the Old Customs and Station-Master’s House at the rear of the complex. Built in 1866 (and presently furnished with period pieces), this residence served until 1986.

Arts & Artists

The Ocean Art Gallery is a cooperative of 17 local artists. Located in the Old Bakehouse on Railway Terrace, the gallery’s wide range of subjects, media, styles and techniques make it a must for the casual and serious gallery visitor. Waggon Road Art Gallery is home to wildlife artist Wendy Jennings. The gallery has paintings, prints and cards for sale, and lessons can be arranged. The week-long Rotary Art Show is held annually in January, with artists from all over Australia vying for the $10,000 prize. This is Victor Harbor’s largest event and sees works exhibited on Warland Reserve.

Strike a Pose

Be sure to enjoy Victor Harbor’s collection of sculptures. Perhaps the most famous is the ‘Whale Tail Fountain’, sculpted in silica bronze by Sylvio Apponyi in 1993 to celebrate our regular winter visitors, the southern right whales. You may – or may not! – find Apponyi’s carved seal; it’s well-camouflaged on a north shore rock on Granite Island.

‘On Occupied Territory’ is by sculptor Margaret Worth. The 2002 flag pole sculptures were part of the 200th anniversary of Flinders meeting Baudin. It represents the meeting of ‘three worlds and three cultures’ – British, French and Aboriginal – all entwined through wind and water. ‘

Kondoli’ at Kleinigs Hill Lookout is a mosaiced whale and represents the dreaming story of the Ramindjeri/ Ngarrindjeri people. It’s an important community reconciliation symbol made possible through Ngarrindjeri, Pitjantjatjara and non-Indigenous people. You can learn more about its mosaics and symbolism through a brochure available at the Visitor Information Centre.

Now Showing

The beautiful art deco Victa Cinemas were opened in 1923 on Ocean Street. The evocative interiors – as well as the latest films – can be seen every night of the week except Mondays. This is the only cinema in South Australia to offer foot warmers to movie goers in winter.

The South Coast Choral & Arts Society stages live theatre performances regularly during the year. Check local guides and the Visitor Information Centre for more information.

Something Different

The Wild Rose Garden and Miniature Village is a real curiosity – and an aromatic one at that! It’s a display of 1:12 scale replicas of South Australian historical landmarks created using the exact materials used in the original landmark. The replicas are set amongst manicured gardens that are at their very best in October.

The Encounter Centre Toy Factory is a charity-based organisation working with people who have special needs. The Centre is open to the public and sells quality handmade wooden toys, furniture and pottery.