Goolwa, South Australia

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Goolwa
South Australia

"Australasian Hotel" building in Goolwa built in the Georgian

architectural style, typical of the main street

 Goolwa

35°30′0″S 138°46′0″ECoordinates:  3
Coordinates
5°30′0″S 138°46′0″E

Population  2,350 (2016 census)[1]

 11,578 (2018)[2]

Established 1853

Postcode(s) 5214

Location 100 km (62 mi) from Adelaide

LGA(s) Alexandrina Council[3]

Region Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island[4]

State electorate(s) Finniss

Federal Division(s) Mayo[5]

Mean max Mean min temp Annual rainfall

temp
20.8 °C 11.8 °C 383.2 mm
69 °F 53 °F 15.1 in

Localities around Goolwa:

Currency Creek Currency Creek Goolwa North
Goolwa North
Middleton Goolwa Hindmarsh Island
Middleton Middleton Goolwa South
Goolwa Beach
Goolwa South

Footnotes Climate[6]

Adjoining localities[3]

Goolwa is a historic river port on the Murray River near the Murray Mouth in South

Australia, and joined by a bridge to Hindmarsh Island. The name "Goolwa" means
"elbow" in Ngarrindjeri, the local Aboriginal language, and the area was known as "The
Elbow" to the early settlers.[7]
Goolwa is approximately 100 km south of Adelaide, and is the seat of the Alexandrina
Council. It is in the state electoral district of Hammond and the federal Division of Mayo.
At the 2011 census, the state suburb of Goolwa (excluding Goolwa Beach, Goolwa
North and Goolwa South) had a population of 2,201. [8] At June 2018, the estimated
urban population for Goolwa together with nearby Victor Harbor was 26,532,[9] having
increased at an average annual rate of 1.07% year-on-year over the preceding five
years. The portion of this combined urban area residing in Goolwa is 11,578. [2]
 Contents

 1History
 2Culture
 3Climate
 4See also
 5References

History[edit]
Before 1837 the area was briefly considered for the site of the colony's capital; a
'special survey' was undertaken in 1839–40 with a sizeable township laid out at
Currency Creek and land for a port with substantial warehousing on the river where
Goolwa now stands. A wharf was constructed in 1852 and government buildings soon
followed, including a post office in 1853.[10] However, the treacherous waters of
the Murray Mouth made it difficult for shipping and made the town unsuitable as a major
port. Goolwa nevertheless developed as Australia's first inland port (1853) built to
connect the town to Port Elliot and later extended to Victor Harbor, allowing goods to
move from river boats to sea boats, so that neither had to negotiate the Murray Mouth.
The spread of railways to inland Australia put an end to the river trade and Goolwa's
significance as a port. With the decline of the river trade Goolwa became dependent on
local farming and fishing, as well as becoming a popular destination for holidaymakers
from Adelaide.[11]
In 1935 a permanent barrage (called the Goolwa Barrage) was constructed
between Hindmarsh Island and Sir Richard Peninsula on the south eastern outskirts of
Goolwa. The barrage separates the fresh water of the River Murray from the salt water
coming up from the River Murray mouth. The barrage was constructed to prevent the
salt water traversing further up the River Murray and polluting much needed fresh water.
Goolwa had earlier been connected to Hindmarsh Island by a cable ferry; this was
replaced in 2001 by the official opening of the Hindmarsh Island bridge, the construction
of which had been a focus of national controversy during the 1990s.
During 2008 and 2009 Goolwa suffered from one of the worst droughts in Australian
history and the river which has sustained the town throughout its history was reduced to
nothing much more than a channel and mudflats. The crisis prompted ongoing
discussions with state and federal governments with the aim of releasing more water
from upstream to ensure the survival of the river. In 2009 a temporary levee (called the
Clayton Regulator) was constructed between Clayton Bay and the north east side of
Hindmarsh Island. The Regulator was put in place to protect the Goolwa Channel and
its tributaries from the danger of acid sulfate soils. The low water level was exposing the
river bed and scientific evidence warned of the devastating impact of acidification of the
Lower Lakes region. The Regulator immediately increased the water level between the
Regulator and the Goolwa Barrage.
In 2010 increased rainfall and water from upstream allowed the Regulator at Clayton
Bay to be substantially removed. The rainfall has replenished much of the river and
lower lakes. In late 2010 some gates on the Goolwa Barrage were opened for the first
time in many years to allow fresh water to flow to the Murray Mouth. Continued rainfalls
combined with flooding upstream in NSW and Victoria has led to massive flows down
the River Murray and by January 2011 all the gates on the Goolwa Barrage were open.

Culture[edit]
Every odd-numbered year, Goolwa hosts the South Australian Wooden Boat Festival.
[12]
 The town is a popular holiday destination and home to the PS Oscar W, a paddle
steamer.
Goolwa, along with the neighbouring towns of Middleton and Port Elliot and the city
of Victor Harbor have in the 2000s enjoyed a nationally recognised "sea change" boom,
with people moving there from more metropolitan areas for an improved lifestyle on the
coast. The local councils are left with the dilemma of how to provide sufficient services
for the influx of new residents, while at the same time not spoiling the character and
appeal of the area that attracts newcomers.
In March 2007, Goolwa was declared a Cittaslow by visiting Cittaslow representatives.
Goolwa was the first non-European town to gain Cittaslow status.
On 22 January 2010 the 4th stage of the Tour Down Under finished at Goolwa. As part
of the event more than 8,000 cyclists, that participated in the preceding Mutual
Community Challenge Tour, rode into Goolwa on the day.

Climate[edit]
hideClimate data for Goolwa (Hindmarsh Island Marin
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
43.0
Record high °C (°F) 41.
(109.4)