Goolwa Travel Guide

 balhannah Says:  Continuing onto Victor Harbour, our next town we stop at is Port Elliot.Located on the coastline, it has some magnificent coastal scenery to be enjoyed from its many viewing spots.Paths are beckoning for you to enjoy coastal walks around the headlands and protected... 

 balhannah Says:  Heading to Victor Harbor from Goolwa, the next town is Middleton. Middleton is a popular spot for surfers and fishermen due to its spectacular beach, and between June & September, the Southern Right Whale can often be seen.About 90% of the time, the whales are spotted at... 

 balhannah Says:  After seeing all I wanted in Goolwa town, it was time to hit the road and follow the signpost which pointed to the "Barrages." The drive is alongside the River, where there were quite a few water birds, and in some places, "hides."At the end of the road, we parked the car... 

 balhannah Says:  The main street of Goolwa has many heritage buildings, so many, that the whole of this old area was Heritage listed.As I walked along, I came across the old Council Chambers which incorporate the original Town Hall, these were built in 1860. On the footpath, is a ceramic... 

 balhannah Says:  A Horse drawn railway used to operate between Goolwa and Port Elliot from 1854.On display and behind glass, is a carriage similar to the ones they used. The Goolwa-Port Elliot railway was the first railway in South Australia, and was only seven miles long.The railway was... 

 balhannah Says:  This Cottage is very unusual and an "eye-catcher!"It was once the Stationmaster’s Cottage, and was the first building in Goolwa.The building of the Cottage began in July 1852. It's unusual, as it's built in the form of a ‘T’, and has a distinctive curved self-supporting... 

 balhannah Says:  The Goolwa park is located in the centre of town, right beside the main road. It is a lovely area of lawn, pathways, gardens, a Rotunda, seating and the FREE public Toilets. Hopefully, you may want to go to the Toilet, if not, go for a look as they are new, and have been... 

 balhannah Says:  I love these old Hotels, and reading about what happened in them. Well, the Goolwa Hotel was built in 1853, and inside are pieces of the sailing Irish Ship "Mozambique," which was wrecked on the Younghusband Peninsula in 1874. The mast of the ship was used as a joist in the... 

 balhannah Says:  The Goolwa Visitor Information Centre is located in the Heritage listed Post & Telegraph Office. In 1858, a magnetic telegraph was connected from Adelaide to Melbourne, via Goolwa.Now, it is the Tourist Information centre, and is the booking agent for local tours & cruises,... 

 balhannah Says:  Goolwa has quite a few old heritage buildings, so pick up the brochure available which lists all the major buildings in this area from the Tourist information centre.I will tell you about some I saw on my walk around Goolwa.The 1st, was the the Old Police Station and Court... 

 balhannah Says:  As the Bridge to Hindmarsh Island is close to the Wharf area, we decided to go across, just to have a look back at Goolwa. The last time we were at Hindmarsh Island, we had to catch a ferry across. Since 2001, the bridge has opened and housing developments have progressed on... 

 balhannah Says:  The Wharf area of Goolwa has really been made into a nice tourist attraction. I was quite impressed with what I saw.Not only are there what I have mentioned in previous tips, but you will also find the Steam Exchange Brewery, home of the Encounter Bay Brewery company. Loved... 

 balhannah Says:  The station was built in 1853, on the wharves as it was needed to serve the Paddlesteamers that brought goods down the River Murray. The old Railway Station is now used by the Steam-Ranger's Goolwa.Years ago, in the busy Summers, rail motors were used to operate the “Cockle... 

 balhannah Says:  In the 19th & 20th centuries, the River Murray was a major inland water highway where dozens of paddle steamers and their barges carried produce from stations and farms to transit points downriver.They were known as "floating shops,' the only way the early settlers could... 

 balhannah Says:  I came across the Goolwa Riverboat centre when I was looking at the Paddlesteamer "Oscar."This is a ticket and booking office for the cruises, and also a shop that sells nautical souvenirs.Inside, there was more, and it was FREE to view. The history of Goolwa was told, and... 

 balhannah Says:  The "Oscar" is a woodfired paddlesteamer, purchased by the Alexandria council to ensure that it was preserved and maintained for future generations. They restored the Paddlesteamer, and now today, you can go for a one hour cruise which departs from the Port of Goolwa... 

 balhannah Says:  The scenery between these two towns is mainly undulating farm land, with higher hills in the background. You will see plenty of Sheep in the paddocks, and at the right time of the year, crops.Views are far reaching and the scenery is quite nice.These days, around Currency... 

 balhannah Says:  We drove to Goolwa by car from Strathalbyn, along the Strathalbyn/Goolwa Road.Near Currency Creek, is the "CANOE TREE," which is a River Red Gum.It is located on the side of the road, so can be seen at any time. This Tree is important, because Aboriginal's cut the bark of...