Vacation rentals in Goolwa Beach

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Top-rated accommodation in Goolwa Beach

Guests agree: these stays are highly rated for location, cleanliness and more.

Guest favourite

Home in Goolwa South

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 265 reviews

Escape the Blues•200m-River•Fireplace•Netflix•Wifi

Escape the Blues Goolwa is in the perfect holiday location, almost hidden, but so close to all of Goolwa’s attractive leisure facilities. *Only 200m to the popular nature playground, boat ramp, Fleurieus and Bombora Cafe *Fireplace and outdoor fire pit *The open plan design offers a great space for couples, friends and or families *Front and rear entertaining decks *Wifi *Smart TV with Netflix *Luxury linen and bath towels provided *Filtered drinking water *Board games & table tennis available

3 – 10 Apr

$1,307 AUD total
Guest favourite

Guesthouse in Goolwa South

4.79 out of 5 average rating, 133 reviews

Riverside Retreat …. with lovely water view

Located at the calm waters of the riverfront you can watch the yacht racing, Oscar W paddle steamer pass by or casually walk along the shore to the cafes & the local activities. Comfortable furnishings throughout, the master bedroom has a postrepedic king sized bed & views of the water. The second bedroom has a comfortable queen bed. There is also a small public jetty in front. Walk or ride anywhere! Maybe catch the train to Victor or cruise the river. Everything is a few hundred meters!

20 – 27 June

$1,358 AUD total
Guest favourite

Home in Goolwa South

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 246 reviews

Paddle Steamer PS Federal Retreat

* Built in 1902, the PS FEDERAL Paddle Steamer now rests on stilts in the River Murray near where the Mighty River completes its journey and joins the Southern Ocean. 2bedrooms, large lounge and galley kitchen with panoramic views of Hindmarsh Island & watercraft on the river. Off Grid, Eco-Friendly with solar powered (12 volt) system for less environmental impact. Not just a place to stay but a unique accommodation experience on the Fleurieu Peninsula on board the Paddle Steamer PS FEDERAL!

19 – 26 Nov

$1,758 AUD total

Popular amenities for Goolwa Beach accommodation

Other great accommodation in Goolwa Beach

Guest favourite

Apartment in Kuitpo

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 216 reviews

Chesterdale

1 – 8 Aug

$1,615 AUD total
Guest favourite

Home in Goolwa Beach

4.78 out of 5 average rating, 184 reviews

Endless Oceanviews, Pets welcome, 500m to Beach!

16 – 23 Jan

$3,338 AUD total
Guest favourite

Home in Goolwa

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 52 reviews

Charming historic cottage c1853, Highlands House.

7 – 14 Feb

$1,589 AUD total
Guest favourite

Tiny home in Goolwa Beach

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 41 reviews

Goolwa Beach surf shack close to beach

8 – 15 Oct

$911 AUD total
Guest favourite

Home in Goolwa

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 14 reviews

Mr Percival Goolwa-Pet Friendly- 50m to Waterfront

26 Oct – 2 Nov

$1,596 AUD total
Guest favourite

Home in Goolwa South

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 38 reviews

Sandi Shack - family & dog friendly

3 – 8 May

$682 AUD total
Guest favourite

Cottage in Goolwa

4.78 out of 5 average rating, 58 reviews

Cute modern cottage

30 Jan – 6 Feb

$806 AUD total
Guest favourite

Holiday home in Goolwa Beach

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 85 reviews

Tabakea Holiday House @Goolwa Beach - pets welcome

26 June – 3 July

$1,329 AUD total
Guest favourite

Home in Goolwa South

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 50 reviews

DRiFT Pets welcome

13 – 20 July

$1,200 AUD total
Guest favourite

Home in Goolwa Beach

4.84 out of 5 average rating, 50 reviews

Perfect family & pet beach escape, cosy home

12 – 19 June

$1,160 AUD total
Guest favourite

Home in Goolwa Beach

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 11 reviews

Beachwood - Front-Row Goolwa Beach (Pet-friendly)

4 – 11 May

$1,706 AUD total
Guest favourite

Home in Goolwa Beach

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 67 reviews

Charlie’s Place

1 – 8 Oct

$1,602 AUD total

Quick stats about holiday rentals in Goolwa Beach

Total rentals

100 properties

Rentals with dedicated workspaces

20 properties have a dedicated workspace

Pet-friendly rentals

40 properties allow pets

Family-friendly rentals

90 properties are a good fit for families

Total number of reviews

3.4K reviews

Nightly prices starting at

$92 AUD before taxes and fees

Your guide to Goolwa Beach

Welcome to Goolwa Beach

A quiet suburb in the historic river port of Goolwa, Goolwa Beach faces the wild Southern Ocean on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. The namesake surf beach is just one of a long line of beaches stretching far into the distance, interrupted only by the opening of the Murray River to the ocean. Goolwa Beach is a maze of residential streets bordered by coastal scrub to the west and the town’s riverside golf course to the east. You’ll walk from your stay to the beach via tracks leading through the coastal dunes, or down Beach Road to swim at a patrolled strip of sand.

Inland from the beach, the town of Goolwa lines the final bend in the Murray River before it reaches the ocean. The port thrived as a shipbuilding centre and the terminal for the paddle steamers and barges plying the mighty river in the 19th century, and many sandstone buildings from that era are still standing in the heritage-listed old centre of town. Across the bridge from the old part of town, Hindmarsh Island is just one of a handful of islands to explore between the river and the water sports haven of Lake Alexandrina.


The best time to stay in a holiday rental in Goolwa Beach

The beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula and the waters of Lake Alexandrina are best enjoyed in summer, with dry, hot days from around November to March. In April, Goolwa hosts Aquafest, a popular festival of speed boat racing and a celebration of classic sailboats. And every other April, the charming South Australian Wooden Boat Festival features vintage yacht races on the river. There’s nothing but ocean between the Goolwa Beach coastline and the Antarctic, so you can experience chilly days even at the height of summer, when an offshore wind picks up. You’ll experience more rain from late autumn to early spring, but winter days are generally mild, while nighttime temperatures occasionally hover around freezing.


Top things to do in Goolwa Beach

Goolwa Wharf

The focal point of the river port, Goolwa Wharf is one of only two places in the world where you can step off a steam locomotive and onto a steam-powered paddleboat. (The other place is in the Scottish Highlands.) Take a cruise to the mouth of the Murray before sampling the wares at the winery cellar door, brewery, and whisky distillery on the wharf.

Goolwa State Heritage Area

The old part of Goolwa runs a few blocks inland from the town’s timber wharf to the 1860 Council Chambers. In this compact heritage area, you find the Goolwa National Trust Museum, which houses what may well be the first motorhome ever built in the country, as well as grand timber hotels and venerable sandstone buildings.

Encounter Bikeway

Bring your own bicycles, or hire e-bikes in Goolwa, to take advantage of the Encounter Bikeway, which runs more than 31 kilometres from Goolwa along the coast to the towns of Middleton, Port Elliot, and Victor Harbor. As soon as you leave Goolwa Beach you’ll pass through the melaleuca forest and dunes of Tokuremoar Reserve, a site of great significance for the local Ramindjeri and Ngarrindjeri peoples.

Destinations to explore