Located at the mouth of the mighty Murray River on Lake Alexandrina in South Australia, Goolwa is now a popular tourist destination, but started its life as a river port and was probably first visited by European sealers from Kangaroo Island. The name is said to come from the Aboriginal for “elbow” and reflects the shape of the river near Hindmarsh Island.
In the days when the mouth of the Murray River was wide enough, Goolwa catered for boats entering the river system from the ocean, as well as for the riverboats themselves. It is now regarded as the nation’s small boat capital, and hosts the Wooden Boat Festival every two years, with the most recent held in March 2009. This festival is highly regarded and attracts visitors from all over the world.
Goolwa was a vital cog in the transport wheel for South Australia, as the river boats would unload their cargo here, for transfer to ocean-going ships.
Things to do
There are so many things to do, you will need more than one visit to fit them all in … but Goolwa has always been known for drawing people back, time and again. The star of the show is the Murray River itself, and the many activities centred around it, such as great fishing and ‘cockleing’, 4WD tracks along the beach to the mouth of the Murray, and twilight sailing on old boats.
Goolwa is also gateway to the pristine wetlands of the Coorong National Park, with its diverse bird and wild life. In the winter months it is a great place for whale watching, and there are wonderfully historic buildings, the wharf markets, an array of cafes, shops and restaurants, and of course – the ‘Cockle Train’ steam engine, which wends its way along the coast.
There is a 22km bike track to Victor Harbour, which shares the white sands and crystal waters of Goolwa – and if you don’t fancy the ride back, just jump on the ‘Cockle Train’ and soak up the coastal scenery on the way back.
As if being in the middle of such beauty wasn’t enough, Goolwa is also surrounded by many well-known wineries, and wine tastings at their cellar doors is a treat any time of year.
When to go
Goolwa enjoys a lovely seaside climate, with sea breezes keeping the temperature comfortably around the mid-20s in summer, and considerably cooler in winter, of course.
If you go in summer, you will be able to partake in all the wonderful water sports and activities on offer, however winter has its attractions as well, with the lure of cosy restaurants, wineries with world-class red wines, and the wild beauty of the coastline, which has something to offer in all weather.
How to get there
Goolwa is around 85km south of Adelaide, so is an easy car trip, making it a great choice for a weekend getaway. Domestic and international flights, as well as buses and trains, service Adelaide. There are a number of companies offering car hire.
Accommodation
Goolwa has a number of accommodation options from budget self-contained cottages, to B&Bs and upmarket holiday homes. See the Goolwa listings on TakeABreak for a great range of places to stay. Highly recommended is The River Bed – a beautifully appointed little cottage only a stone’s throw from the river.
Ideal length of visit
Proximity to Adelaide means that Goolwa is great for a short break, but there is so much to see and do that you could easily spend a week or more taking in the glorious beaches, wonderful wildlife, sensational food and wines – or just relaxing as you watch the seals, black swans and other wildlife parade past. You are spoiled for choice with the range of galleries, cafes, shops and activities, so Goolwa is sure to become one of your new ‘favourite places’.
Further information
For more information go to the Visit the Goolwa Accommodation website to help plan your stay.
