Cafes

The ultimate visitor’s guide to Goolwa, South Australia

By Gracie Wallace

Posted on January 8, 2025

Goolwa is a popular, coastal destination on the Fleurieu Peninsula, just an hour’s drive south east of Adelaide. Here’s our ultimate visitor’s guide!

Ah, Goolwa – where the mighty Murray River meets the sparkling sea. Tucked away at the entrance to the river, this chilled out coastal gem on the Fleurieu Peninsula is just an hour’s drive south east of Adelaide, and is a popular holiday destination. We’re talking miles of pristine beach, framed by sweeping sand dunes, and the Coorong, where sailboats glide by in the distance.

Goolwa has so much to offer, from catching waves at the beach, enjoying delicious meals at local cafes and restaurants, or tasting award-winning whisky at the town’s famous distillery. With a range of accommodation options, Goolwa makes the perfect escape for all kinds of travellers and families. Ready to explore? Here’s our ultimate visitor’s guide!

THINGS TO DO:

Spend the day at Goolwa Beach: Goolwa’s main beach is a stunning stretch of soft, white sand that goes on for miles and miles, with great waves for surfers and perfect conditions for boogie boarding. It’s a family-friendly beach that welcomes everyone, including dogs, so you can set up camp for the whole day. The eastern side of the beach is 4WD accessible, so you can drive down and set up right by the water. In summer, you’ll often find people collecting pipis or cockles along the shore.

Hop aboard the Cockle Train: Take a ride on the Cockle Train for a journey along the oldest steel-railed railway in Australia, dating back to 1854! Starting at the historic Goolwa Station, the train chugs along the coast, passing through Middleton and Port Elliot. From there, enjoy views of the Southern Ocean and, in winter, the Southern Right Whales. The journey ends in Victor Harbor before the train returns to Goolwa. It’s a really special experience, and definitely one to check off if you haven’t already!

Check out the Goolwa Wharf Rotary Markets: The Rotary Club runs markets at the Wharf Precinct on the first and third Sunday of each month. With around 80 stalls, the markets are filled with everything you could imagine from jewellery and baked goods to handmade crafts, dog treats, and jars of local honey. Every purchase supports local charities, organisations, and small businesses.

Encounter Bikeway from Goolwa Beach to Victor Harbor: Hop on your bike or lace up your walking shoes for the Encounter Bikeway, a 30km trail that links Goolwa to Victor Harbor, with stops in Port Elliot and Middleton along the way. This shared path is perfect for riders and walkers, with a range of distances to choose from depending on how much adventure you’re up for.

DINING:

Goolwa has a mix of casual cafes, good old Aussie pubs and fine dining spots, with eateries scattered along the main street, riverfront and seaside. Here’s a list of some top places, with links to learn more about their menus, or make a booking!

Saltwater Cafe – Located on the corner of Cadell Street, this is your one-stop spot for everything from pizza and pasta to chicken and seafood, yiros, hot dogs, burgers, schnitzels, and more. They’ve got great coffee and sweet treats too.
Kuti Shack – Right among the sand dunes of Goolwa Beach, Kuti Shack serves up Pipi dishes made with local Indigenous ingredients, fresh seafood, and regional produce, with a great wine list to go with it all.
motherduck – In the heart of Goolwa’s main street, this cafe is known for its fresh, locally-inspired dishes, featuring all the classics like avocado toast and eggs, pancakes, and flavour-packed salad bowls.
Hays Street Bar and Kitchen – A stunning bar and restaurant if you’re looking for something a little fancier, inspired by European cuisine.
Goolwa Bakery – A cherished institution in Goolwa, this bakery has been serving up pies, pasties, and their famous Kitchener buns for over 100 years! (READ MORE HERE)

Heritage Pies & Pasties – Another local gem on Goolwa’s main street, this family-run business has absolutely everything you could want from a bakery, and not just the pastry classics, but yummy rolls too.
THAi DAYS – Goolwa’s go-to 10/10 spot for Thai food, with a huge menu of all the classics. Their green curry is arguably one of the best in the state (tried and true, take our word for it).
Hector’s Modern Australian Kitchen – Situated on the newly upgraded Goolwa Wharf with stunning waterfront views of the river, the menu blends modern Australian cuisine with European recipes.
Bombora on the River – With beautiful views of the River Murray, Bombora is the perfect place to enjoy classic breakfast and lunch dishes while watching boats pass by.
Goolwa Surf Lifesaving Club – If you’re in Goolwa on the weekend, the bar of Surf Life Saving Club is open from 3pm to 6pm, run entirely by volunteers. You can have a drink and a cheese platter while taking in some of the best coastal views and watching surfers ride the waves. It doesn’t get much better then up there!

WINERIES / DISTILLERIES:

Goolwa has a few fantastic wine bars and an award-winning distillery, as listed below. Otherwise, spend a day exploring all of the wineries that surround the town!

The Wharf Wine Bar: Located in the Wharf precinct, the Wharf Wine Bar serves up drinks from proudly independent SA producers like 90 Mile Wines, The Pawn Wine Co, Shapeshifter Brewing, and Heaps Good Spirits – plus, there’s food, live music, and plenty of good times to be had there!
Fleurieu Distillery: Nestled on the Wharf, Fleurieu Distillery crafts award-winning whiskies that are taking the national and international trophy scene by storm – you’ve got to go if you’re a whisky lover!
Home of Plenty: Okay, we know this winery isn’t technically in Goolwa, but it’s so new and so cool, it has to get a mention! Just a quick 10-minute drive out to Currency Creek, it’s such a vibey spot to relax and enjoy their fantastic wines and incredible food. Plus, there’s a golden retriever who hangs around, which just makes the experience that bit better.

SHOPPING:

Goolwa is full of shops and hidden treasures best discovered on your own, but here are a few of our favourites, with everything from stylish fashion to stunning art pieces.

Goolwa Village Shopping Centre (On Hutchinson Street with everything from a supermarket, bakery, and butcher, to a news agency, and bottle shop)
Studio 20 (fashion brands, unique gifts and fine wines)
Love, Charlie xo (children’s toys, gifts and accessories)
Artworx Gallery (contemporary artworks and gifts)
Coorong Clothing (casual clothing)
Chantille Place (eclectic knick kacks, gifts, crystals, clothing and more)

ACCOMMODATION:

Goolwa offers a wide range of accommodation options, whether you’re looking for a bed and breakfast, a hotel, a holiday home, or an apartment.

If you’re traveling with a big group or a couple of families, booking through sites like Airbnb or Booking.com gives you plenty of choices, including some fantastic holiday homes. One great spot we know of is a house on Kingdon Place in the Wharf precinct, perfect for up to six guests with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

For camping, caravanning, or cabin stays, the Goolwa Discovery Park has you covered. Or for a great hotel motel vibe, we can’t go past Motel Goolwa. Many families opt to stay in nearby towns like Middleton, Port Elliot or Victor Harbor too where there are even more accomodation options, and simply take day trips to Goolwa. The choice is yours!