Birks River House at Goolwa: Ron relaxes on the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia

To quote from "The Wind in the Willows", 'there's nothing - absolutely nothing - half as much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.' Lovers of that children’s classic would certainly feel at home in the Goolwa Channel, with its historic wharf and all the other South Coast icons which make this a maritime mecca.

Last year - to celebrate the return of much needed water to this part of the river – we hopped on board the tender once used by the aircraft carrier, the HMAS Sydney, with wooden boat enthusiasts Rick Eylward and Allan Hayes. In our travels we drifted past another of Goolwa's nautical treasures - Birks Boat House and Harbour - home to a piece of River Murray and Coorong history - the late Hector Semachsko's fishing boat, "The Fairy Queen".

Wendy Watson, Birks River House: “The Fairy Queen holds the record for 7.5 tonne of mulloway from the lakes which is quite amazing. He also did a lot of work on the channel markers that you see if you are boating around this area. Whenever they needed a particular boat towed or a boat going through the Murray mouth, Hector generally was on board to guide them. “

Wendy Watson and husband Phil are key players in the Goolwa Wooden Boats and Music Festival and signs of their passion for all things nautical are everywhere from photos of the Captain Sturt in the Boathouse Bed and Breakfast to the many maritime momentos scattered throughout their latest obsession - Birks River House on Liverpool Road. The Riverhouse overlooks the Murray and offers guests the perfect retreat to wile away the hours.

Birks River House is owned by Barossa winemaker Robert O'Callaghan of Rockford's Winery fame. He saved all this from demolition when it looked like a development application would clear much of this river history to make way for several waterside allotments. Robert, his partner Pam O'Donnell and the Watsons were determined to retain and refurbish this piece of Liverpool Road history. The marina, Boathouse and River House with its impressive garden - were first established by Adelaide chemist Napier Birks whose pharmacy in Rundle Street became an Adelaide institution.

Wendy Watson: “He used to come down here for his summer holidays and that's when he built his summer retreat which is now Birks River House. He then established the marina in the 1920s and the boathouse used to be a former slip-way.”

Napier Birks was also a keen gardener and remnants of his botanical prowess are still here to be enjoyed by Birks River Houseguests today. The Norfolk Pines, Port Jackson Fig Trees and Portuguese Wine Palms all combine to create a leafy setting for guests in the Riverview and Garden Retreats.

Birks River House is located on Liverpool Road at Goolwa. Accommodation is also available at the Boathouse - in Birks Marina. For details contact Wendy Watson on 8555 0338. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

Birks River House
138 Liverpool Road
Goolwa North
Contact 8555 0338

Published 28th February 2010