Goolwa - ideas for things to do

[Here at last!]

Hi

We are going to Goolwa next weekend when my parents are here for a visit. Does anyone have any recommendations for things to do and restaurants to try with 2 children age 2 and 5.

Thanks

Sonya

[cliffy]

There is a visitor information centre overlooking the Wharf and they are very helpful.
We took a steam train ride on the Steamranger, but I think that only runs school holidays. There is also a boutique Brewery on the wharf which does tours.
There are quite a few cafes, and we tried two, but your best bet for meals would be the pub, which is half way up the main street, Cadell St.
If you want to go further afield, the Flying Fish Cafe at Port Elliot has an excellent reputation
There is plenty to see, not all of it as scenic as it used to be before the drought. The Barrages, Hindmarsh Island and the surrounding towns are all interesting.

[Aussie pat]

We spent a lovely weekend there in Sept. Despite awful weather and having a dog, so we had to sit outside, we still really enjoyed it.

There is a really nice kiosk at Goolwa beach itself. It has an all weather platform next to it with PVC blinds and roof where you can sit and eat their food. The view of the sea is lovely and we can highly recommend their baguettes (better than most). Some people were eating full meals with wine. The kiosk is also next to a board walk above some dunes that takes you to a viewing platform over the beach. It's not a long walk either for 2 little ones.

At the boating club on the river you'll find a really great cafe, sorry can't remember the name but it's easy to find from the road, just find the road along the river and head toward the barrage, it's on your left about 5mins before you hit the barrage.

There is also a great cafe on the wharf near the visitor's centre. It's next to the place where you book boat trips on the wharf itself.

All of the places I've mentioned are friendly, laid back, have outside areas and would be fine with kids. None of them minded our dog.

The mouth of the Murray on Hindmarsh Island is also well worth visiting. It's best to look at a map of the area first as it will bring home to you how profound it is as it's the exit point of a long river that passes thru several states. One tip...next time we will take binoculars. On the drive back to Adelaide we stopped at Second Valley which is lovely, a very picturesque cove complete with rockpools. The kiosk sells drinks and snacks etc. and has nice picnic style seating in the garden.

Have a great time.

PS We did actually do other things as well, hope you don't think all we did was eat!

[Here at last!]

Thanks for the tips, a weekend of eating sounds good to me!

Sonya

[Aussie pat]

The name of the cafe on the road to the barrage is the Aquacaf.

[SA Great]

We were there yesterday. One trip we have done a couple of times is the Spirit of the Coorong which is fantastic. It is either 4 or 6 hours long and takes you into the Coorong...highly recommended especially for the overseas brigade.
The Cockle Train from Victor to Goolwa is pretty cool. The new marina on Hindmarsh Island is quite impressive. But for kids I think Victor has a bit more happening.

[guest3462]

The steam brewery serves up a really lovely real ale and the food is pretty good too. We had a lovely weekend there. Hindmarsh Island is nice to look round and Victor Harbour, Port Elliott and Middleton are all in close enough proximity for you to explore. The cockle train runs from Victor to Goolwa at weekends but is quite expensive.
Hope you have fun.
JC xxx