[2] Holdfast Bay was the site of the landings in 1836 and 1837 by pioneers who were to set up the colony of South Australia.

On 8 November 1836 Robert Gouger, Colonial Secretary and Chief Magistrate, arrived there aboard the Africaine and set up camp near The Old Gum Tree.

With the arrival of Governor Hindmarsh on 28 December and the proclamation of the new colony, the Holdfast Bay settlement became the first seat of government of South Australia.

[5] The Blocks is a disused maritime structure- a series of concrete and steel square columns that today act as an interrupted breakwater and artificial reef.

[8] Two ships have been scuttled in Holdfast Bay, the Glenelg barge and the South Australian, known colloquially as The Dredge.

[6] Leatherjacket Alley is a natural reef, located approximately 2 km northwest of Glenelg in 10 metres of water.

The site presents a series of naturally formed gutters popular with many species of the eponymous fish.

[8] It supports the largest known population of Western blue devils in the waters surrounding metropolitan Adelaide.