Willunga Adelaide, South Australia |
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Coordinates | 35°17′0″S 138°33′0″E / 35.28333°S 138.55000°ECoordinates: 35°17′0″S 138°33′0″E / 35.28333°S 138.55000°E | ||||||||||||
Population | 2,416 (2011 census) | ||||||||||||
Established | 1840 | ||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 5172 | ||||||||||||
Location | 47 km (29 mi) from Adelaide | ||||||||||||
LGA(s) | City of Onkaparinga | ||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Mawson | ||||||||||||
Federal Division(s) | Mayo | ||||||||||||
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Willunga is a town south of Adelaide, South Australia in the City of Onkaparinga local government area 47 km from the Adelaide CBD. Sometimes considered a part of the Adelaide metropolitan area, it is located within the famous McLaren Vale wine growing region. At the 2011 census, Willunga had a population of 2,416.
Willunga is connected to the town of McLaren Vale by a cycle path running along a former railway line and is only a short distance from the beaches of Aldinga Bay. Willunga is home to many festivals, including the start and finish of the fourth leg of the Tour Down Under, the Fleurieu Folk Festival, Almond Blossom Festival and Willunga Christmas Tree Festival.
Willunga Post Office opened on 14 July 1839. The name Willunga derives from an aboriginal word 'willangga' meaning,'the locality of green trees'.
The main township of Willunga is located on Main and Aldinga Roads. Being one of South Australia's earliest towns, Willunga is a character-filled, small country town which attracts many visitors. This is reflected in its many businesses. Besides coffee shops and eateries there are the post office, general store, three hotels and one fuel station. There are four churches (an Anglican, a Catholic and a Uniting along with a Pentecostal church).
Willunga has an eighteen-hole golf course with a restaurant open to the public. On the same property is the Willunga Bowling Club and the Waverley Homestead, home of a community arts organisation called STARS.
Most of Willunga's large events are held on the Willunga-owned Recreation Park (Willunga's halls and meeting rooms, oval and grounds), located near the town square. The Willunga National Trust, opens its old courthouse and slate museums on weekends and Tuesdays. Its grounds accommodate various events including weddings.