Goolwa  South Australia

Gateway to the internationally significant wetlands of the Coorong National Park and the mighty Murray River and lakes system, the river port of Goolwa is recognised as the nation’s small boat capital, and, fittingly, hosts the biennial Wooden Boat Festival.

It’s a town tailored for watersport worshippers. You can plot your own voyage of discovery on your own vessel or aboard hirecraft which range from power boats to yachts and canoes. Charter craft also cruise the Lower Murray and the Coorong.

The Signal Point River Murray Interpretive Centre and its fleet of pensioned paddle-steamers rekindle memories of the glory days of the river boats, while steam trains run between Goolwa, Port Elliott and Victor Harbour. You can also step back into town and transport history by hitching a ride round the Goolwa hot spots in Clydesdale-powered covered wagons. Built around 1872, the village smithy has been converted into a museum where visitors can expolore the past of Goolwa and neighbouring Hindmarsh Island and Currency Creek.