R&H Suburb Profile GOOLWA

Goolwa is an historic port on the Murray River near the Murray Mouth in South Australia, and joined by a bridge to Hindmarsh Island. The name Goolwa means “elbow” in Ngarrindjeri, the local Aboriginal language.

Goolwa is about 100km south of Adelaide and is the seat of the Alexandrina Council. The population is about 6000.

Every odd-numbered year, Goolwa hosts the South Australian Wooden Boat Festival. The town is a popular holiday destination and home to the PS Oscar W, a paddle steamer.

Goolwa, along with its neighbouring towns of Middleton and Port Elliot and the city of Victor Harbor have recently enjoyed a nationally recognised ‘sea change’ boom, with people moving there from metropolitan areas for an improved coastal lifestyle.

In March 2007, Goolwa was declared a Cittaslow (slow town) by visiting Cittaslow representatives. Goolwa was the first non-European town to gain Cittaslow status. Cittaslow status takes into account such lifestyle qualities as:

• Environment (air, water or land pollution, waste management and recycling)
• Infrastructure (open space, seating, public conveniences, access to town centre)
• Quality of urban fabric (historic buildings, gardens, parks)
• Local produce and products (local producers and suppliers of food and crafts, healthy eating, the arts)
• Hospitality (facilities for tourists, community life)
• Awareness and education (communications, local involvement)