Middleton is a holiday and tourist destination with a popular surf beach.

Some southern right whales calve and mate in the waters off Middleton's beaches and can be viewed from Middleton Point or Bashams Beach during the whale watching season (June or July to October).

It also has two doctors' surgeries, a pharmacy, a surf school, general store, hotel, bakery, hairdresser, antique shop, manufacturing jeweller, beautician and a restaurant.

The original inhabitants of the area were the Ngarrindjeri people and at least three burial sites are said to be situated around the town, one of which has been built over by a commercial entity.

[2] Middleton is located within the federal division of Mayo, the state electoral district of Finniss and the local government area of the Alexandrina Council.