Goolwa Wharf Precinct

Australia's first inland port

Goolwa was Australia's first inland river port, established from 1839 as the gateway between the Murray-Darling river system and the open sea. The Goolwa Wharf Precinct preserves the heart of that 19th-century port as a State Heritage Area, with 19 individually-signed historic sites along the riverside.

What's here

The precinct includes the 1862 Goolwa & Port Elliot Railway horse stables (the rail line from Goolwa to Port Elliot was Australia's first public railway), the 1915 railway goods shed, the 1853 Goolwa Hotel with its salvaged figurehead from the Irish ship Mozambique, the Old Police Station and Court House (1859-1874), and 'Little Scotland' - a cluster of stone cottages built to house the Scottish riverboat workers.

What's still working

The heritage attractions are not just preserved - many are still operational. The Cockle Train (run by Steamranger Heritage Railway) departs from Goolwa Station for Victor Harbor. The PS Oscar W, a 1908 wood-fired paddle steamer, still steams from the wharf for cruises. The Steam Exchange Brewery and Fleurieu Distillery share the original goods shed.

How to do it

The Goolwa Heritage Walk is a self-guided trail through the precinct - pick up a map at the Visitor Information Centre. Allow at least 2 hours for the full walk, longer if you stop for a brewery flight or a paddle steamer cruise.