Goolwa
Historic river port on the Murray River, where Australia's longest river meets the Southern Ocean - now a hub for boating, birdlife and the Steam Ranger railway.
Where the river meets the sea
Goolwa was once a bustling 19th-century inland port, handling cargo from Murray River paddle steamers. Today it is the charming gateway to the Coorong and the Murray Mouth, one of Australia's most significant estuaries.
The SteamRanger & the wharf
The restored Goolwa Wharf is the terminus of the SteamRanger heritage railway, which runs vintage steam trains to Victor Harbor on weekends. Paddle steamers and cruise boats depart the wharf to explore Lake Alexandrina and the Murray Mouth.
Hindmarsh Island & the Coorong
An iconic bridge links Goolwa to Hindmarsh Island, which offers wide-open spaces, birdwatching in the Coorong and secluded beaches on its southern ocean side.
Places in Goolwa
2 places
The Fleurieu Distillery
$$Single malt whisky & Moon River Gin at Goolwa Wharf
Award-winning Australian single malt whisky distillery on Cutting Road at Goolwa Wharf, shared with the Steam Exchange Brewery.
SteamRanger Cockle Train
$Heritage steam trains along the coast since 1887
The historic Cockle Train follows the coast from Goolwa to Victor Harbor on tracks laid in 1887, run by SteamRanger Heritage Railway.
Sources
- Goolwa - Wikipedia article - Wikipedia (accessed April 2026)
Image credits
- Building in Goolwa , CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons