Robe to Goolwa
The journey from Robe to Goolwa along South Australia's coastline takes in some breathtaking natural attractions you shouldn't miss.
Just 20 minutes along the coast from Robe on the Princes Highway lies Cape Jaffa. This quiet seaside village perfectly marries locally produced wines with the freshest fish and seafood. It's also an angler's dream, with excellent fishing from the beach, jetty or by boat around the Margaret Brock Reef.
You'll know you've hit nearby Kingston South East when you spot the giant 33 metre high red lobster nicknamed "Larry". Commercial activity in Kingston SE revolves around a large cray fishing fleet, which operates from October to April.
Leaving the southern ports behind the Princes Highway skirts the Coorong, a 130 kilometre tapestry of lagoons, wetlands and sand dunes fronting the Southern Ocean. Declared a Wetland of International Importane in 1975, the Coorong covers about 47,000 hectares of magical wilderness. The Coorong is renowned for its abundant birdlife, supporting up to 238 bird species throughout the year. Only 3 kilometres wide, the Coorong derives its name from the Ngarrindjeri word "karangh" meaning narrow neck.
Branch off the Princes Highway at Wellington, where a ferry ride will take you across the Murray River. Follow your nose along the road to Langhorne Creek where the local winemakers capitalise on the natural flooding cycle of the Bremer River to irrigate their vineyards.
Fifteen minutes further on is the pretty town of Strathalbyn, settled by Scottish immigrants in 1839. While away a few hours browsing in Strathalbyn's antique, craft and gift stores, housed in heritage-listed buildings.
South from here is Goolwa, which straddles the Southern Ocean and the lower reaches of the Murray River. On the way you will pass canoe trees from which Ngarrindjeri people carved boats from the trunks of huge gum trees. In its hey-dey in the 1850s, Goolwa was the heart of South Australia's river trade until it was superseded by the advent of rail in the 1880s. Tonnes of produce were loaded onto locally built barges and paddle steamers and shipped up the river system as far as Queensland. Departing with produce and building materieals, the ships would return, passing the old customs house, laden with wool and other hinterland produce.
These goods were then railed to Port Elliot (and later Victor Harbor) on Australia's first public railway (today the route of the heritage Cockle Train) and then shipped to other ports.The Signal Point River Murray Interpretative Centre at Goolwa now traces the river's rich history.
Goolwa is Australia's only registered inland port, and a favourite for eco-tourists and others enjoying family summer holidays.
Driving is allowed on the unspoiled surf beach, and it is possible to 4WD from the Goolwa Beach carpark to the Murray Mouth.
Maps
Download a Limestone Coast or a Fleurieu Peninsula map for an overview of these regions. You'll also find interactive Google maps of the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Limestone Coast on their home pages on SouthAustralia.com.
