An historic township to the south of the McLaren Vale wine growing region, which is also Australia's premier almond growing centre. Each July the town holds its Almond Blossom Festival. Willunga was established only three years after the settlement of South Australia.

Where is it?: Fleurieu Peninsula. 44 km south of Adelaide; 6 km south of McLaren Vale. Willunga is connected to the town of McLaren Vale by a cycle path running along a former railway line and is only a short distance from the beaches of Aldinga Bay.




Willunga is home to many festivals, including the start and finish of the fourth leg of the Tour Down Under, the Fleurieu Folk Festival, Almond Blossom Festival and Willunga Christmas Tree Festival. The Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally is held annually near Willunga.

Willunga hosts a leg of the Tour Down Under cycle race (including King of the Mountain) every summer. Other attractions are the Willunga Farmers' Market (which won Best Farmers' Market in Australia 2008) held every Saturday morning; the Willunga Quarry Market, Willunga Artisans' Market and CWA Teas, Cake & Crafts all held second Saturday of each month; and the Willunga Lions Auction usually held the last Saturday of each month except December.

Natural features: Mount Magnificent Conservation Park (part of the Heysen Trail, 12 km east); Kyeema Conservation Park (14 km north east); Maslin Beach (Australia's first legal nude beach, 11 km north west)

Built features: Cowshed Gallery (Yundi, 9 km east); village of Mount Compass (14 km south east).

Heritage features: Delabole village (slate quarry); Pug cottages; Church of England; Old Courthouse and Police Station Museum (1855); Old Post and Telegraph Station (1857, 1864); Old Bush Inn (1839); Willunga Hotel (1870); 17 St Andrews Terrace (1850s); former Council Chambers, now Museum (1854); St Anne's Lodge (1850s)

Origin of name: of Aboriginal origin derived from 'willangga' possibly meaning ' locality of green trees' although some source record its meaning as 'black duck'. The first settlers named the town's streets after saints which these days reflects the town's quaint European village feel.

Brief history: The Hundred of Willunga was surveyed in 1839 and purchased by Edward Moore. The town was surveyed the following year although it is true that there was already a police station in the district. By 1840 the town's first 'Bush Inn' (the current structure is the third) a slab hut was built. It was around this time that a slate quarry was established in the district. This immediately established the area as the slate was of such quality it was shipped around Australia from Port Willunga. After the success of slate the area became an important wheat growing district.

The early settlers named the streets in town after saints which gives the town, which has large numbers of charming old buildings, a quaint European feel. The slate declined in the 1890s and part of the town's charm is that it has largely remained untouched since its glory days in the 1850s and 1860s.

In The Area

McLaren Vale

McLaren Vale is recognised as a region of vineyards, orchards and gourmet-produce farms. The first grape vines were planted here in 1838, just two years after Adelaide was settled, and McLaren Vale has remained a prominent wine region ever since. Willunga sits at the southern edge of the McLaren Vale wine region.

Mount Magnificent Conservation Park: Located 12 km south east of the town this attractive Conservation area is part of the Heysen Trail. It is an ideal place to visit if you are hoping to see western grey kangaroos in their native habitat.

Mount Compass

Mount Compass: Located 14 km south east of Willunga, Mount Compass is a very small settlement named after the occasion, in 1840, when Governor Gawler lost his compass near this site. Maybe it should have been called Mount Lost Compass. The town serves an agricultural district typified by dairy farms and market gardens.

Coast To Vines Rail Trail

Coast To Vines Rail Trail
The Coast to Vines rail trail open to pedestrians and cyclists, runs for 34 km through the southern suburbs of Adelaide from Marino to Willunga. Much of the trail has been constructed on the disused Willunga railway line.

The northern end of the trail begins just south of Marino Rocks railway station, on The Cove Road. From here it follows the Seaford railway line until Hallett Cove station where it shares the footbridge over the line. A short distance away are Hallett Cove shops, where it crosses Lonsdale Highway and proceeds through a picturesque area of Trott Park. The right turn into Old South Road at the intersection of Panalatinga Road is the start of the section of the trail along the old railway line, with trees lining both sides to Hackham. The path is completely off road, but it does cross roads, especially in this area of the trail. The path and the roads are clearly signposted. The path crosses Christies Creek and a number of other small creeks along this section. Continuing on will take the rider to the Onkaparinga River and from there to McLaren Vale and Willunga.

The trail is an easy ride and suitable for beginners, families and more experienced riders. The former railway line stations were Patpa, Happy Valley, Reynella, Coorara, Morphett Vale, Yetto, Hackham, Korro, Noarlunga, Moana, Tuni, McLaren Vale, Pikkara, Taringa and Willunga. The trail is mostly complete, with a small section along the main street of Mclaren Vale yet to be finished.[1] It intersects with the Adelaide Southern Veloway at both Panalatinga Road turnoff and Southern end of the Southern Expressway.