Goolwa, South Australia

Goolwa South Australia
"Australasian Hotel" building in Goolwa built in the Georgian architectural style, typical of the main street
Goolwa
Coordinates	35°30′0″S 138°46′0″E / 35.50000°S 138.76667°E / -35.50000; 138.76667Coordinates: 35°30′0″S 138°46′0″E / 35.50000°S 138.76667°E / -35.50000; 138.76667
Population	2,201 (2011 census)
Established	1853
Postcode(s)	5214
Location	100 km (62 mi) from Adelaide
LGA(s)	Alexandrina Council
State electorate(s)	Hammond
Federal Division(s)	Mayo
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 20.8 °C 69 °F 11.8 °C 53 °F 383.2 mm 15.1 in
Localities around Goolwa: Currency Creek Currency Creek Goolwa North Goolwa North Middleton Goolwa Hindmarsh Island Middleton Middleton Goolwa Beach Goolwa South Goolwa South
Footnotes	Climate Adjoining localities

Goolwa is a historic river 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, and the area was known as "The Elbow" to the early settlers.

Goolwa is approximately 100 km south of Adelaide, and is the seat of the Alexandrina Council. It is in the state electoral district of Hammond 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 2201. The ABS no longer publishes separate urban population estimates for Goolwa alone. At June 2015 the estimated urban population for Goolwa together with nearby Victor Harbor was 25,877.

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; however, the treacherous waters of the Murray Mouth for shipping made it unsuitable as a major port. Goolwa was Australia's first inland port (1853) built to connect Goolwa to Port Elliot and later extended to Victor Harbor, allowing goods to move from river boats to sea boats, so that neither had to negotiate the Murray Mouth.

The spread of railways to inland Australia put an end to the river trade and Goolwa's importance 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.

In 1935 a permanent barrage (called the Goolwa Barrage) was constructed between Hindmarsh Island and Sir Richard Peninsula on the south eastern outskirts of Goolwa. The barrage separates the fresh water of the River Murray from the salt water coming up from the River Murray mouth. The barrage was constructed to prevent the salt water traversing further up the River Murray and polluting much needed fresh water.