It’s strange where traveling can take you, and this article is all about one of the unexpected amazing places we’ve found ourselves – Goolwa, South Australia. We recently finished 2 months of house sitting in this small town situated south of Adelaide and loved our experience.
No, we’d never heard of it either – in fact, some people we met in Adelaide weren’t aware of Goolwa! But when a house sitting opportunity pinged on our phone for a 2-month house sit with one little dog on Australia’s south coast, we didn’t hesitate.
Here’s the story of our time in Goolwa, one of the great unexpected amazing places we’ve ended up in the last few years. Plus, some reasons why you should consider heading to Adelaide and exploring SA’s great small towns.
How We Ended Up In Goolwa, SA
Our trip to Australia was one of the most pre-planned parts of our travels to date. Knowing rough travel dates we set up alerts for house sits anywhere in Australia that were 1 month or longer. The Goolwa listing was one of the first that came up and fit our ideal criteria perfectly. We applied immediately.
We were between house sits in France at the time, and, liking our application to sit for them, a call was organized with the Australian homeowners, Ian and Sue on my birthday in late October 2023. The sit would not begin until August 2024 so we were all planning well ahead!
As a birthday bonus, we were offered the sit and gladly accepted. It ticked all the boxes, and we were happy to have a future focal point in the diary. Plus we fancied our chances of securing another sit in nearby Adelaide to round off our 3-month stay in Australia.
Where is Goolwa?
Goolwa is situated on Australia’s southern coast about a 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Adelaide’s CBD. Daily buses connect Goolwa with the airport, but traveling by car is more pleasant and time-efficient. Goolwa belongs to the state of South Australia (SA).
Positioned at the mouth of the Murray River, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the picturesque riverbanks and the nearby Coorong National Park. Goolwa is famous for its paddle steamers, once vital for trade, and visitors can still enjoy scenic cruises on them.
Beyond its natural beauty, Goolwa has a thriving arts scene, local markets, and a laid-back atmosphere. The town is home to the lovely Goolwa Beach, a popular spot for surfing and sunbathing, as well as the historic Cockle Train, which runs between Goolwa and Victor Harbor (more on this later!)
Our Experience House Sitting in Goolwa
2 months in Goolwa flew by, we thrived living in the chilled and friendly community. We cared for a lovely Staffy called Molly, who greeted us with excitement whenever we came home. She lives for food, belly rubs, and naps. We walked her on the beach every morning, and she was a dream to sit for.
We had the use of Ian and Sue’s car, which enabled us to travel further afield. This was ideal because Molly was content to spend the days lounging in the garden or snoozing on the sofa. We discovered more unexpected amazing places that I will be discussing in greater depth later in this article.
Before they departed we were introduced to several of Ian and Sue’s friends and family. It’s always handy to have local contacts when house sitting for a significant period. We loved joining the Wednesday pub supper club and were even invited to a birthday party and regular outings.
Everything You Need to Know about Goolwa
Across 2 months we got to know Goolwa very well. Here’s a breakdown of our favorite spots and the great activities we enjoyed during our stay in the town.
Best Restaurants
Thai Days: The best restaurant in Goolwa! Its outstanding Thai food and excellent service attract customers from many surrounding towns. The tables are always busy and booking is highly recommended. Click here for directions.
Motherduck: A cute cafe on the main high street that serves everything from great coffee and delicious sweet treats to hearty meals, cocktails, and wine by the glass. There’s a handy order and pickup window and outside seating for a pleasant people-watching spot. Find it here.
Hays Street Kitchen & Bar: A bistro-style restaurant with an ever-changing menu that ensures freshness and quality. It’s where to go in Goolwa for fine dining and classy cocktails. Click here for directions.
Best Pubs
The Goolwa Hotel: A great pub with roots in Goolwa that date back to 1853. Whether it’s a friendly atmosphere, a hearty pub meal, or just a quick and quiet drink you’ll find it here. They host a weekly Friday night raffle that attracts most of the town, and it’s great fun. Click here for directions.
The Curio Hotel: It seems most locals don’t chop and change between the local pubs but we certainly did! The Curio Hotel has regular live music, daily happy hour prices on beer, and a fabulous restaurant with theme nights with great deals to be had. Find it here.
The Steam Exchange Brewery: A beer and liquor brewer situated by the historic Goolwa Wharf. Serving outstanding house-brewed beers and liquors – the Steam Ale was my favorite pint in Australia. It’s an excellent spot to gaze out on the Murray River and sink a few ‘proper’ imperial pints. Find it here.
Best Bakeries
Goolwa Bakery: Having been open for over 100 years, the Goolwa bakery is a right of passage. Everything is made fresh daily onsite and is delicious. Whether it’s meaty pies or enormous sweet treats and coffee you’re after, pay them a visit! Find it here.
Live and Let Pie: I love a good pun, and being a big Guns N’ Roses fan, this one was always going to get a visit from me. The pies are excellent and this is a popular spot around the commercial side of town. Click here for directions.
Heritage Pies and Pastries: With more of a traditional tea room feel, they have a full hot menu as well as a host of baked-onsite delights. The breakfast plates are fantastic and there is ample outdoor seating for the perfect view of the high street. Find it here.
Best Things to Do
The Cockle Train: Ride the oldest steel-railed railway in Australia which dates back to 1854. It was constructed to provide a link between the River Murray and Port Elliot and later Victor Harbor. It’s a scenic, fun, and nostalgic way to travel to the 2 nearby towns from Goolwa. Click here for more information.
The Oscar W: The Oscar W paddle steamer offers scenic cruises along the Murray River, showcasing Goolwa’s maritime heritage and stunning natural beauty. Enjoy a unique experience aboard this beautifully restored historic vessel with drinks and dinner packages available. Click here for details.
Visit Local Wineries: There are many great local wineries that are open for tastings, tours, and bottle shops selling their wines, We took a trip to the Shaw Family Vinters which is less than 15 minutes from Goolwa. There is a small bar for sampling wine surrounded by miles of vineyards. Find it here.
Go Whale Watching: Goolwa’s waters are popular migration routes and nursing grounds for a variety of whale species. We booked the Big Duck tour from nearby Victor Harbor, which lasted 90 minutes and we got to see 2 whales! It was a great experience. Click here for more information.
Best Day Trips
Victor Harbour: Just a 20-minute scenic drive along the coast from Goolwa, Victor Harbor is a lovely town known for its walkway over to Granite Island. You can walk the long causeway that struts out into the ocean for a coffee and get close to a penguin colony. It’s also accessible via a historic horse-drawn tram.
The town is also where you’ll find the whale watching I talked about earlier. Thereare also lots of lovely coastal walks, and some cool pubs worth visiting. We managed to catch a ‘Rock n Roll’ weekend during our stay which took over the whole center with vintage cars, live music, and retro films at the cinema.
Port Elliot: A short drive from Goolwa, Port Elliot is a picturesque seaside town offering beautiful beaches like Horseshoe Bay. Here you can enjoy lots of historic charm, pleasant coastal walks, and an abundance of cozy cafés in the town’s relaxed atmosphere.
There are some great antique and vintage flea-market style shops, as well as the most popular bakery we found in Australia – The Port Elliot Bakery. Also, be sure to hike the short trail up to the Freeman Lookout for unrivaled views and the chance to see migrating or nursing whales from dry land.
Middleton: Located between Goolwa and Port Elliot, Middleton is a laid-back beach town famous for its surf-friendly waves and tranquil coastline. It’s perfect for a relaxed beach day and exploring the surrounding coastal dunes. You can occasionally spot whales right off the coastal hiking trails here too.
The Middleton Tavern is a popular spot for food and drinks – you can’t miss it as you drive through the town.
Further Afield Places to Visit
Goolwa is a great place in its own right but also provides a great base for exploration slightly further afield. We found a few other unexpected amazing places within an hour of our house sit. It’s always a pleasant and scenic drive through vineyards and fields with wild kangaroos. Consider taking a day trip to any one of these;
Adelaide
I’d be very surprised (and impressed!) if you’d made it to Goolwa without visiting Adelaide first. The biggest city near Goolwa is a major attraction in South Australia and a fantastic place to visit. The scenic drive takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
We spent the first month of our Australia trip house sitting in Adelaide before we made our way to Goolwa. Our first taste of Aussie culture was a comforting treat, giving us a nice taste of home after eight months in Asia.
I have written a couple of articles about our time in Adelaide. Read The Definitive to House Sitting Guide in Adelaide for in-depth information about the city. Also for a funny and eventful story involving one of the cats we looked after, be sure to check out my Short Tails – Bella the Very Angry Cat.
Mount Barker
Mount Barker, about 45 minutes from Goolwa, is a charming town nestled in the Adelaide Hills. Driving to the summit of Mount Barker offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and Adelaide skyline. There are a variety of hikes around the summit but to reach the top is a steady moderately steep 500m hike.
The drive to the summit is a particular highlight, however, the town itself has lots of local independent amenities as well as larger supermarkets and chain stores. It’s a charming town and the perfect spot for a day trip from Goolwa.
Mount Barker is full of unexpected places, from hidden nature trails to cozy local cafes. I’d recommend parking up close to the center and freely exploring. It’s fun to venture into the markets and shopping arcades, the traditional local pubs, and get out into nature all in one easy day trip.
Hahndorf
Hahndorf is a delightful little town with a charming mix of German heritage and Aussie culture. The tree-lined streets are lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and local produce. It’s a great spot for a relaxing day trip or a weekend getaway. There are often huge tour groups arriving from nearby Adelaide.
Goolwa is 55 minutes away and it’s worth the drive for dinner at the Hahndorf Inn, famous for its hearty German cuisine. Their schnitzels are fantastic and the attached brewery provides excellent German beers. Afterward, treat yourself to dessert at Otto’s Bakery, where the pastries are too good to turn down.
Whether you’re exploring the town or indulging in a delicious meal, there are lots of lovely places to discover simply strolling around.
Noarlunga
Noarlunga is a laid-back spot perfect for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts. The long stretch of sandy beach is ideal for relaxing, swimming, or even a bit of snorkeling. It’s got that easygoing beach town vibe that makes it a great day out and it’s an easy 45-minute drive from Goolwa.
The nearby Onkaparinga River adds another layer of adventure with kayaking and scenic walking trails along the riverbank. It’s a great spot to explore some natural beauty. On the other hand, there are large strip malls and shopping centers, perfect because I needed a new phone, so this is where we went to get it!
Noarlunga also has a growing food scene, with cafes and eateries offering delicious meals just a short walk from the beach. Whether you’re grabbing fish and chips or a quick coffee, there’s always something tasty nearby. We had lunch at the ESPY Bakehouse right on the beachfront, I highly recommend it!
More Information About House Sitting
I could never have predicted that I would one day end up visiting Goolwa. It will always remain one of the great unexpected amazing places that we have discovered while traveling the globe. House sitting provided us with this unforgettable experience.
We use Trusted Housesitters for 95% of our accommodation every year, it saves us tens of thousands of dollars and allows us to explore cities and countries that we otherwise would never have even known about. Goolwa is a prime example!
There’s more demand than you would believe for house sitters and I guarantee it’s cheaper and easier to get started than you think.
Getting Started as a Trusted Housesitter
Right now, there are over 7000 listings accepting applications for house sits on THS. These range from small apartment stays in Adelaide, to huge ranch homes in Arizona. Click here to sign up for a free Trusted Housesitters account using just your email address to start browsing the listings.
To apply for a house sit you like the look of you will need to be a paying member but with annual fees starting at $129, a year’s membership is cheaper than one night in an average hotel. Also, our friends and readers get 25% off when they use the code BEACHES25 at checkout, click here to sign up today.
There are no further fees to pay, just a year of housesitting. However, there are 3 tiers of membership that include certain additional and very useful benefits for long-term house sitters and travelers. I have broken them down in my previous article – Everything You Need to Know About Trusted Housesitters.
Conclusion
Traveling is all about discovering those unexpected amazing places and I’ve enjoyed telling you all about our time in Goolwa. We had a terrific 2 months on the South Australia coast and hope our path leads us back there again in the not-so-distant future.
We will miss little Molly, she’s a great dog, and the many friends we made during our stay. I highly recommend you make this part of the world part of your travel itinerary and don’t forget to use Trusted Housesitters to help you get there! Happy travels.
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Owner’s consent has been given to use all photos of pets and homes in this article