Driving and fishing at Sellicks Beach near Adelaide are more popular than swimming. Pick a lifeguard-patrolled Fleurieu Peninsula beach for a swim instead.
Sellicks Beach near Adelaide, South Australia, is one of several Fleurieu Peninsula beaches within a short drive of the McLaren Vale wineries. The Sellicks Hill Range lines up behind the sand. These gently rounded hills provide a photogenic backdrop alongside Gulf St Vincent.
What makes Sellicks Beach in South Australia a bit different, however, is that you’re allowed to drive on it.
Driving on Sellicks Beach
Driving on Sellicks Beach doesn’t come free. You have to pay a $12 fee to an attendant as you go down the ramp.
But being able to take a 4WD vehicle on the sand means it’s much easier to find a quiet spot to yourself. The Onkaparinga City Council warns that anyone caught driving on the Fleurieu Peninsula dunes, however, can face a stiff fine.
Fishing on Sellicks Beach
Fishing on Sellicks Beach is as popular as driving on it – and the two are rarely mutually exclusive. Mullet, salmon and whiting tend to be the reliable stars of the Sellicks Beach fishing scene.
The shallow inner bar is the prime spot – fish tend to swim through the trough next to it.
Swimming at Sellicks Beach
Beach driving and fishing don’t tend to make great bedfellows for swimming at Sellicks Beach, however. That said, it’s not an especially dangerous beach for swimming. It is unpatrolled by lifeguards, however.
Go north to Silver Sands and Aldinga beaches if you want to swim between the flags.
If you choose to swim at Sellicks Beach, the area around the inner bar is safest. The swell rarely gets especially high – this isn’t really a surf beach.
McLaren Vale day trip from Adelaide
Sellicks Beach is a 53km drive from central Adelaide, and can be worked into a day trip around the McLaren Vale. Go to the beach in the morning, then head to the McLaren Vale wineries such as Inkwell and d’Arenberg before going for a walk to Onkaparinga Gorge.
Sellicks Beach: key visitor information
Beach access fees are reviewed periodically by the City of Onkaparinga and have risen in recent years. Always check the council website for the current rate before visiting.
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| What are the vehicle access hours at Sellicks Beach? | 5.30am to midnight, daily. Vehicle access is restricted between midnight and 5.30am. |
| How much does it cost to drive on Sellicks Beach? | A $12 daily fee applies for non-residents, collected by volunteers at the beach ramp. The fee has risen in recent years; always confirm the current rate with the City of Onkaparinga before visiting. |
| Is driving free for local residents? | Yes. Residents of the City of Onkaparinga can apply for a free summer-long vehicle access permit. |
| Is Sellicks Beach patrolled by lifeguards? | No. Sellicks Beach is unpatrolled. Silver Sands and Aldinga beaches, further north, are patrolled during summer. |
| Is parking available at Sellicks Beach? | Yes. There is parking near the beach ramp at the end of the Esplanade, as well as some street parking nearby. |
| What facilities are at Sellicks Beach? | Toilets and a picnic area are available near the beach. A general store is a short drive away in Aldinga. |
| Are dogs allowed at Sellicks Beach? | Dogs are permitted but must be on a leash, or secured in a vehicle if driving on the beach. |
| How far is Sellicks Beach from Adelaide? | Approximately 53km, around a 50–60 minute drive from central Adelaide. |
| What fish can you catch at Sellicks Beach? | Mullet, salmon and whiting are commonly caught, particularly around the inner bar. |
Things to do near Sellicks Beach
McLaren Vale wineries – A short drive from the beach, McLaren Vale is one of South Australia’s premier wine regions, home to renowned cellar doors such as Inkwell and d’Arenberg.
Onkaparinga Gorge – A scenic walking destination inland from Sellicks Beach, offering river views, native wildlife and a range of bushwalking trails through the Onkaparinga River National Park.
Aldinga Beach – Just north of Sellicks, this patrolled beach is a safer option for swimming, with a general store and café nearby for refreshments.
Silver Sands Beach – Another lifeguard-patrolled beach further north, popular with families for safe, flagged swimming.
Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park – A coastal reserve behind Aldinga Beach featuring a boardwalk across the dunes, with views over the beach and the Sellicks Hill Range beyond.
More Adelaide travel
Other Adelaide travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Complete guide to visiting the South Australian Museum.
- Plan your visit to Adelaide Gaol.
- What to expect at the Gorge Wildlife Park.
- Learn the secrets of Penfolds Grange at the Penfolds Magill Estate in Adelaide.
- Adelaide Himeji Garden visitor guide: What to expect in Adelaide’s Japanese garden.
