Goolwa ( ), known as The Elbow to early settlers, is a historic river port on the Murray River near the Murray Mouth in South Australia. Goolwa is approximately south of Adelaide, and is joined by a bridge to Hindmarsh Island.
History
thumb|left|250px|Corio Hotel in Goolwa
The name "Goolwa" means "elbow" in the Ngarrindjeri language, and the area was known as "The Elbow" to the early settlers.
Before 1837 the area was briefly considered for the site of the colony's capital; a special survey was undertaken in 1839–40, with a sizeable township laid out at Currency Creek and land for a port with substantial warehousing on the river where Goolwa now stands. A wharf was constructed in 1852 and government buildings soon followed, including a post office in 1853. However, the treacherous waters of the Murray Mouth made it difficult for shipping and made the town unsuitable as a major port.
Goolwa nevertheless developed as Australia's first inland port (1853). Australia's first railway was opened in 1854 to connect Goolwa to Port Elliot. It was later extended to Victor Harbor, allowing goods to move from river boats to ships, so that neither had to negotiate the Murray Mouth. Goolwa was officially established in 1857.
In 1919 the District Trained Nursing Society sent Clara Winifred Howie to establish a nursing facility in Goolwa.
The spread of railways to inland Australia put an end to the river trade and Goolwa's significance as a port. With the decline of the river trade Goolwa became dependent on local farming and fishing, as well as becoming a popular destination for holidaymakers from Adelaide.
Location and governance
Goolwa is approximately south of Adelaide, and is the seat of the Alexandrina Council. It is in the state electoral district of Finnis and the federal Division of Mayo. At the 2011 census, the state suburb of Goolwa (excluding Goolwa Beach, Goolwa North and Goolwa South) had a population of 2,201. At June 2018, the estimated urban population for Goolwa together with nearby Victor Harbor was 26,532, having increased at an average annual rate of 1.07% year-on-year over the preceding five years. The portion of this combined urban area residing in Goolwa is 11,578.
The town is a popular holiday destination and home to the PS Oscar W, a paddle steamer.
Goolwa, along with the neighbouring towns of Middleton and Port Elliot and the city of Victor Harbor have in the 2000s enjoyed a nationally recognised "sea change" boom, with people moving there from more metropolitan areas for an improved lifestyle on the coast.
In March 2007, Goolwa was declared a Cittaslow by visiting Cittaslow representatives. Goolwa was the first non-European town to gain Cittaslow status.
On 22 January 2010 the 4th stage of the Tour Down Under finished at Goolwa. As part of the event more than 8,000 cyclists, who participated in the preceding Mutual Community Challenge Tour, rode into Goolwa on the day.
CLLMM Research Centre
In early February 2024, the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre, run by the Goyder Institute for Water Research, opened, located between the Hindmarsh Island bridge and the barrage. The centre's focus is on studying and adapting to the effects of climate change in the region, by using both First Nations and scientific knowledge.
Climate
Goolwa has a warm-summer mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csb), with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. There is some seasonal lag from oceanic influence, with average maxima ranging from in February to in July, and average minima fluctuating between in February and in July. Annual precipitation is moderately low, averaging , between 144.3 precipitation days. Despite this, the town only has 46.3 clear days while having 181.5 cloudy days annually. Extreme temperatures have ranged from on 14 January 1996 to on 18 June 1998.
See also
- Goolwa Barrages
- List of crossings of the Murray River