Goolwa - Port Elliot Railway
The need for a connection from the River Murray to a deep sea port to enable River trade saw the construction of the Goolwa to Port Elliot Railway.
The original railway, completed in December 1853, was Australia’s first public railway and the first government railway in the British colonies.
The original railway consisted of jetties at Port Elliot and Goolwa, a stone breakwater at Goolwa for safe anchorage and seven miles of interconnected railway track following the most direct route onto the jetty at Port Elliiot. The jetty at Goolwa was at right angles to the rail tracks and a turntable was used for access.
The line was extended to Victor Harbor when the Port Elliot anchorage was found unsuitable opening in 1864. The line was further extended to Strathalbyn being completed in 1869. The line was extended to connect to the Adelaide-Melbourne line at Mt Barker in 1884.
The railway was originally animal powered with stables for horses constructed along the line. The extension to Strathalbyn coincided with the introduction of steam locomotives. The line was originally designed to use locomotive power and there were no major changes to the line for the later adaption of locomotive power.
Commercial operations ceased in April 1984 it has been run as a tourist railway since.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Heritage Engineering Marker (HEM) |
| Award Date | October 1992 |
| Heritage Significance | |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report |
Not Available |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel Image | Not Available |
