Oscar W at River Port Goolwa
No Comments »26th April, 2015; Category: Historic places, Murray River, South Australia, Victor Harbor
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
Birds of Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor
Silver Gulls, Victor Harbor
The Victor Harbor area is an excellent place to observe birds.
The beaches and islands and rocky outcrops along the coast afford good views of many species.
The river corridors leading through the town have a completely different set of birds while the hinterland areas of farming, scrublands and open woodlands reveal yet a different set of species.
Here I have featured photos of just three common species.
For more information about birds, and the birds of Victor Harbor in particular, go to my Birding Blog here. The posts include photos of many more species.
Further reading:
Sooty Oystercatcher, Victor Harbor
Australian Magpies, Victor Harbor
The Bluff, Victor Harbor, South Australia
The Bluff, Victor Harbor
Along with Granite Island just off the coast, The Bluff is the most prominent natural feature of the Victor Harbor and Encounter Bay area.
At the base of the this hill there is a narrow dirt road leading to a fishing jetty.
This jetty is very popular with locals and visitors alike, and is one spot where fishing can be plentiful.
Fishing jetty at the base of The Bluff, Victor Harbor
Fishing jetty at the base of The Bluff, Victor Harbor
Ocean Scenes near Victor Harbor, South Australia
Ocean view near Victor Harbor
There are many spectacular views of beaches and the ocean in and around Victor Harbor on the south coast of South Australia.
My friend Rod took us on a tour of some of the highlights on a recent visit to the popular seaside town.
These photos were taken on the south side of the prominent hill know as The Bluff.
Ocean view near Victor Harbor
Ocean view near Victor Harbor
Scenes of Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor
Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor, South Australia
Encounter Bay at Victor Harbor on the south coast of South Australia is one of the most picturesque spots in our state. We love visiting for day trips as it is just a little over an hour from home.
We also enjoy taking our caravan there and staying for a weekend or a few days. On our most recent trip in March of this year, my friend and fellow writer Rod and his wife took us on a tour of the highlights. He drove us around in his 1928 Model A Ford which, in itself, was a highlight. The tour included a picnic cuppa on The Bluff, from where I took these photos.
Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor, South Australia
Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor, South Australia