Goolwa Heritage Walks

It's a river town close to every South Australians heart and it's played a pivotal role in the economic life of the State. During its heyday, from the 1850s to the 1880s, Goolwa was one of the most important river ports in the country. In once week in 1853, over eleven and a half thousand bales of wool were unloaded at the local wharf and at its peak the river trade supported well over a hundred paddlesteamers and barges. With trade came prosperity and it's reflected in the Railway Superintendent's Cottage and the old Chart Room where the River captains stored their plans for new paddlesteamers. Trade also meant employment for riverboat workers, some lived here in what's known as Little Scotland. Other still sought lodgings in the old Australasian Hotel. And as the town grew so too did its connection with nearby Port Elliot. In fact the Port was connected to Goolwa by a horse drawn railway in 1854, the first to run on iron rails in Australia, with it's terminus at the jetty. Soon Port Elliot underwent it's own building boom leaving an architectural heritage which has made it one of the most popular holiday destinations in the State. Now the history of both Goolwa and Port Elliot is available to everyone as part of this year's National Trust Heritage Festival. History walks lead by experienced guides get underway next weekend from the Port Elliot Railway Station. The tour costs $2.50 and includes a Devonshire tea. For a better understanding of Goolwa, head to Kessell Road next Sunday for a ceremony to mark the completion of the old Goolwa Cemetery Restoration Project. And at 3.15pm local historians will be on hand at the Porter Street Museum to provide a real insight into this fascinating town. Return to Goolwa is on Sunday April 9th at 2pm. Old Goolwa Cemetery is on Kessell Road. Admission to The Porter Street Museum is free and the Historians will start at 3.15 pm .

For more information you can email info@postcards-sa.com.au