Welcome to Alexandrina the Heart of Storm Boy Country
Breath taking coastal and rural scenery
Distance: approximately 73 km
On your journey you will see some of the most picturesque and historic locations the Fleurieu Peninsula has to offer, including popular surfing beaches where Southern Right Whales can be spotted June to October, lookouts and viewing platforms that offer magnificent river and coastal views, significant buildings, bushland and tree studded farmland, the entrance to the Coorong National Park and finishing off your adventure at the mouth of the River Murray - where the river meets the sea.
Start your journey at the Goolwa Wharf, follow the brown Tourist Drive 50 signs.
Goolwa wharf was once the centre of a thriving river and railway trade, transporting goods from River Murray towns by paddle steamer to Goolwa and then on to Port Elliot by train. Now the departure location for boat cruises in to the Coorong National Park or the Cockle Train to Port Elliot and Victor Harbor, check tour availability and make a booking here.
Drive up Porter Street, turn left into Hays Street and left onto Oliver Street at the end turn left turn onto Barrage Road.
Barrage Road offers beautiful river views. The parks along this road are ideal for picnics, with bird hides beside the river offering bird watching opportunities. The Bristow Smith Nature Playspace next to the boat ramp is popular with all ages.
Continue along Barrage Road to reach the Goolwa Barrage. Pelicans and many other water birds are often found feeding and preening themselves in this area. You can walk out to the lock in the Barrage and view Australian Long Nose Fur Seals.
Head back to Beach Road, via Billabong Road and turn left, travel 250m to Goolwa Beach, take the short walk to the top of the boardwalk and you will be rewarded with 360 degree views of the coast, river and town. Goolwa Beach is popular for surfing and cockling.
Leaving Goolwa Beach follow Beach Road to the roundabout, turn left towards Middleton. Travel about 3km and turn left onto Boetcher Road, from the end of this road you’ll be greeted with stunning coastal views of Encounter Bay, Middleton Beach and Basham’s Beach popular for surfing, walks and Whale watching, observing Southern Right Whales (June-October).
Drive along Surfers Parade, turn right into Chapman Road, left onto Port Elliot Road and drive through Middleton to Port Elliot.
Just after the caravan park in Port Elliot, turn left into Strangways Terrace, travel to the end and turn right into The Strand, which is lined with historic buildings. Note the tiny Council chambers built in 1879. The Strand, Port Elliot has a host of retail, art and cafes to distract you from your scenic journey.
Scenic Detour from Strangways Terrace follow the signs to Horseshoe Bay – a very popular beach with playgrounds, Soldiers Memorial Gardens and seafood cafe. Or follow Strangways Terrace to the end and turning left will take you to Freeman Knob take in the spectacular views of Horseshoe Bay and the coast from Encounter Bay to the Coorong National Park. Also a great vantage point for whale watching (June-October).
At the end of The Strand turn left onto North Terrace, travelling about 3km to the Victor Harbor roundabout. Turn right and travel about 9km through hilly countryside. Turn right into Crows Nest Road, follow it through bushland and tree studded farmland, to the Flinders/Baudin lookout for views of the coast, Murray Mouth, Middleton, Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island and Lake Alexandrina.
At the bottom of the hill turn right onto Waterport Road and then take the next left into Hill Street, here you will find Factory 9, home to local artisans and producers.
Follow Waterport Road back to Port Elliot Road, driving back through Middleton, turn left onto Flagstaff Hill Road and at the very end-turn right and travel back to Goolwa.
Drive along Cadell Street (Goolwa’s main street) and follow the signs to Hindmarsh Island.
Over the bridge, travel about 1km and turn left onto Captain Sturt Parade along the shores of the Murray River. Turn right into Monument Road, left into Randell Road, taking time to view the monument in memory of Captains Barker and Sturt who travelled down the Murray to its mouth.
Drive for about 3km, turn right following the signs to the Murray Mouth.
From Sugars Beach you can see the mouth of the River Murray, where the river meets the sea. While you're here enjoy local fish and chips from the Coorong Cafe or hire a canoe from Canoe the Coorong.
This is the end of your journey, Randell Road will take you back over the bridge to Goolwa.
Click here to download a pdf version of Tourist Drive 50 - Murray Mouth and Coast
For information on things to see and do along the way or a more comprehensive map of the area please call one of our Visitor Information Centres on phone 1300 466 592.
- Above: The Murray Mouth, Goolwa - Photo Credit: SATC