Oscar W at River Port Goolwa

Oscar W at Goolwa

Some time ago now I took a series of photos on a visit to Goolwa near the mouth of the River Murray in South Australia. we were visiting friends who live in the nearby seaside town of Victor Harbor, about an hour south of Adelaide and just over an hour’s drive from our home in Murray Bridge.

Rod took us on a tour of the local sights in his 1928 Model A Ford with the simple name of “Don”. Several times I have been driving with him in his old car and I always enjoy the experience. On this occasion we drove to Goolwa, a town on the banks of Australia’s largest river. The port of Goolwa was a bustling river port in the 1800s, transporting goods to and from farming areas upstream in the Murray-Darling river system. The goods were then taken by train – Australia’s first railway – to the port at Victor Harbor. In its heyday this was amongst the busiest ports in the country. The quick spread of the railway system soon saw the demise of this important port.

These days, Goolwa is both a busy retirement town and tourist destination. Every two years the town hosts the South Australian Wooden Boats Festival, attracting many people from all over to see these wonderful old craft. Visitors can also take cruises on the River Murray on a variety of vessels, including the Oscar W shown in today’s photos.

I have been promising my wife a trip on one of these boats for some year now. I had better keep my promise soon – an opportunity for more photos.

Information about the Oscar W at Goolwa

Oscar W at Port Goolwa

Oscar W at Port Goolwa

Oscar W at Port Goolwa