Australasian (The) at Goolwa: Ron experiences some of the high life in the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia

It's one of the major landmarks as you enter the historic town of Goolwa. For many years, a private residence, The Australasian, is now back in business as a private hotel and dining experience with arriving guests treated to perhaps champagne and High Tea - complete with profiteroles and cake made by qualified pastry chef and part owner, Juliet Michell.

Juliet Michell, The Australasian: "It is an oasis and I want people to enjoy a totally different environment. The place is in Goolwa but it is not necessarily linked just to the Goolwa area. For us it's a mixture of Asian and European culture and we hope people will get into the quirkiness of it because it is a funny mixtures of design styles."

Built in 1858, The Australasian was once one of the main pubs for workers plying their trades on the paddlesteamers and steam trains at the nearby Goolwa wharf.

Julia, who's also former jewellery designer, has certainly left her stylish stamp on all aspects of this amazing re-fit and while sanding back doors came across some intriguing mysteries about The Australasian's past like the "Bagetelle Room".

Juliet Michell, The Australasian: "We came across this writing on the door. 'Bagetelle' - we can't make sure whether it was in reference to a music room or whether it was a billiard table type arrangement because there are two different connotations for the "bagetelle" word.

One of them harks back to a game similar to the one hanging on the wall in The Australasian's dining room. Back in 1777, the French King Louis the Sixteenth and his courtiers first played a game - similar to pinball - at the Chateau de Bagetelle.. Hence the name. It could have been one of South Australia's earliest pinball parlours!

With a thriving wharf and town so close at hand, there's little doubt that back in the days when Goolwa was seen as the Mississippi of the South, this place was booming. The rooms are a little different now but one has been kept as a reminder of the pub's amazing heritage.

Today the Australasian experience is a lot more luxurious with many of the rooms making the most of their setting like one with a little Juliet balcony overlooking the heritage town.

The Australasian is on the corner of Hays and Porter Street at Goolwa. Accommodation starts at $275 per night. A nightly dinner is available for hotel guests but the hotel is open to the public on Saturday evenings. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

The Australasian
Cnr Hays & Porter Streets
Goolwa
Bookings 8555 1088.

Published 15th November 2009