Goolwa Attractions

The popular and rapidly growing resort of Goolwa (pop. 3000) on the southeast coast of the peninsula lies on the narrow channel at the outlet of Lake Alexandrina, into which the Murray River flows. In the days when there was a busy shipping traffic on the Murray River Goolwa was an important port, with a number of shipyards. In its heyday - from which it has preserved a number of handsome buildings - it was known as the New Orleans of Australia, mainly because of the numerous paddle steamers plying on the river. The old paddle steamer Mundoo still offers cruises on the river. The first public horse-drawn railroad (1854) ran between the river harbor on the Murray and Port Elliot, on the coast. To the east of Goolwa are the Barrages, which prevent seawater from reaching the Murray.

Off Goolwa (ferry service) is Hindmarsh Island, a favorite haunt of birdwatchers.