Welcome to Goolwa
On 12 March 2007, the historic River Port of Goolwa was accredited as the first Cittaslow or "Slow Town" in Australia. Goolwa joined the international network of towns and cities that combine the efforts of Council, the business community and residents to improve the quality of life for all who live and work in their town.
Goolwa is situated at the mouth of the River Murray, 80 kilometres south of Adelaide. It is a town steeped in Aboriginal stories and unique riverboat history. Goolwa is part of the Alexandrina Council which services a large area of the Fleurieu Peninsula as shown on the map.
Goolwa is on the last loop of the River Murray as it skirts around Hindmarsh Island. Lake Alexandrina, The Coorong and the Southern Ocean all play an important part in Goolwa's history, environment, industry and leisure.
Under the sponsorship of the Southern Alexandrina Business Association, the community of Goolwa undertook the challenge of becoming the first town in Australia, and the first outside Europe to be accredited as a Cittaslow or "slow city".
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT GOOLWA?
Food Businesses
Best butcher - Goolwa Central Meats – prizes for his sausages
Three great bakeries
Alexandrina Cheese Company, Sneyd Road, Mount Jagged
Beach Organics, Old Telegraph Road, Middleton
Bombora at Goolwa Beach, Beach Road, Goolwa
Café Lime and Gourmet Foodstore, Shop 1, 11 Goolwa Terrace, Goolwa
Cafélicious, 9 Cadell Street, Goolwa
Caffe de Carlo, Hutchinson Street, Goolwa
Currency Creek Estate Winery Restaurant, Winery Road, Currency Creek
Goolwa Bakery and Cafe, 8 Dawson Street, Goolwa
Goolwa Heritage Pies and Pastries, Cadell Street, Goolwa
Goolwa Fish Cafe, 19 Cadell Street, Goolwa
Hectors on the Wharf, Goolwa Wharf, Goolwa
Rankines at Whistlestop, Hay Street, Goolwa
The Australasian Circa 1858, 1 Porter Street, Goolwa
The Landing, The Marina Hindmarsh Island
Food
Cockles
Dairy produce
Coorong Mullet
Fishing
Mulloway
Ashbourne orchards
Olives, olive oil
Organic produce
Wines
Ballast Stone Winery, Currency Creek and Signal Point Cellar Door, Goolwa Wharf
Currency Creek Winery, Winery Road, Currency Creek
Mount Billy Wines, 14 Victoria Street, Victor Harbor
Minko Wines, 13 High Street, Willunga
Mount Jagged Wines, Mt Compass
Whale Coast Wines, Glenford Gully Road, Middleton
Traditions and Crafts
Wooden boat building
Cockle Train with Steam Ranger
Paddlesteamer Oscar W
Handicrafts – Railway station
Signal Point and Old Police Station galleries
Oliver Street Antiques
Clubs and volunteer groups
Artworx Gallery, 12 Hay Street, Goolwa
History
Home of the Ngarrindjeri
First Public Railway in Australia
Encounter between Captains Flinders and Baudin
Explorations by Captain Charles Sturt and Captain Collet Barker
Race between Riverboat Captains Randell and Cadell
Oldest regatta yacht club in Australia
Little Scotland
Geography
Mouth of the River Murray
Hindmarsh Island
Encounter Bay
The Coorong
Lakes Alexandrina & Albert
Festivals and Events
South Australian Wooden Boat Festival
Around Goolwa - with SA History Week
Milang to Goolwa Classic
Boating Extravaganza
Goolwa Aussie Smoke Off
Goolwa Alive
Cittaslow Goolwa Gopher Festival
Goolwa Great Air Spectacular
Goolwa Christmas Pageant
Goolwa Wharf Market
Goolwa Craft Market
Naval 817 Squadron
Attractions and Facilities
Ballast Stone and Cittaslow Centre, Signal Point
Goolwa Wharf
Goolwa Railway Station
The Barrages
The Marina Hindmarsh Island
Goolwa Beach
Bird Hides
Armfield Slipway
Heritage Walks
Black Swamp Walking Trail
Restaurants
Goolwa Museum
Coorong Cruises
The Old Police Station Arts Centre
Goolwa Aquatic Club
Doll museum
Encounter Bikeway
Skate Park
Sports Stadium
Narnu Farm
Airport - jet plane rides, plane building
Currency Creek and Hindmarsh Island Cemetery
Alexandrina Library
Ghost Tours
Porter St Wildlife Gallery
Artworx
Activities and Sports
Sailing
Table Tennis
Fishing
Darts
Surfing
Hockey
Rowing
Bowls
Basketball
Archery
Seniors Computing
Football
Goolwa Concert Band
Netball
Skating and Boarding
Tennis
Landcare, Dune Care
Wildlife Care
Bird watching
Golf
Centre for Positive Ageing
Cricket
South Coast Stompers Jazz
Goolwa Indoor Model Flyers
View the Goolwa Wharf Webcam
History of Goolwa's Accreditation see:
- Goolwa's Journey to Accreditation
- The Handover of Goolwa's Application for Cittaslow Accreditation
- The Visit of the Cittaslow International Delegation