The first inhabitants of the area were the Kaurna aboriginal people and "No-orlunga", as it was pronounced by them, had an aboriginal meaning of "the place with a hill" and Onkaparinga was "women's camp by the river" with the main street called Patapinda, from original meaning of "going up to the sky".

After European settlement land was released to the public for purchase in 1839  and by 1841 the population had grown to 150 as traders, storekeepers and farmers all moved into the area.

The township was known as "Noarlunga" up until the 1970's when the Noarlunga Council moved out of the town. It  was then renamed to Old Noarlunga. This walk is designed to give you a little insight into the rich history of a town that is an important part of South Australia's heritage. A map will print when you use the printing link.

Starting at the Church of St. Phillip & St. James ,the township's northern entrance on Church Hill Road :

The church was built in 1850 of Ironstone blocks quarried from the cliffs on the Onkaparinga River in Old Noarlunga , hauled across the river and up the hill by bullock teams and hard sweat. Re-roofed in 1890’s and the vestry added in 1903 this church originally marked the main entrance and exit from the township. There is a stone in the graveyard that is marked  "used as an anchor for hauling stones with bullocks, in the building of the tower in 1850" . The graves give an insight as to the hardships of the times with illnesses of whooping cough , diphtheria , measles and scarlet fever all taking their toll. The river also claimed lives ,as the depth at that time was recorded to be twenty feet and flooding was normal before the Mount Bold dam was built.

Just after the turn of the century, the church was in trouble with cracks and general wear and tear showing in the later additions, so these were removed and replaced.  This made the area too dark for the choir and it was decided to install the beautiful east window. The leadlight window, typical of its day, was installed by 1915 and apart from removal during the war years, it remains a joy to everyone who enters. Also about this time, the stone flagging was replaced by a wooden floor.  1931 saw more repairs take place, but not structural, while over the years the inside walls were finally painted. The Noarlunga Council gave valuable help in 1974 when the land to the north was reformed to prevent water damaging the wall. A fence was built, and trees planted along the front. One day of the year the 8 kerosene lamps are hung and lit for the midnight service at Christmas. Attention is needed to the ravages that time has wrought on the fine old building.

 As you walk down Church Hill Road, toward the town on your left you will see the remains of the first pole spanbridge. It was built to enable walking persons to cross the river, and it spanned across between the hills at a height of some twenty feet above the ground. The coach road on the hills opposite lead to McLaren Vale and beyond.

 Further down the road the first house on your left is the original brewery ( very popular in its day .) It was built in 1880.

 Turning left after the "brewery" leads you to the Horseshoe Inn site on your right. Built in 1840 the Horseshoe Inn was a staging post for coaches and bullock teams. The hotel has a colourful history , recognised as a known smugglers hangout. When ships were wrecked off the coast they brought the goods up the river and stored and/or sold them from the inn.If police paid a visit a quick getaway was enabled by jumping into to a boat  behind the inn, and rowing across the river to horses tethered on the other side. Then it was on to horseback over the hill to Mclaren Vale and beyond.

A one way fare from Adelaide on the coaches would cost four shillings and six pence or a return ticket  seven shillings. Four blasts of the coach horn would signal the arrival of the mail coach until 1915, when the steam train took over.

The Inn was turned into a garage in the 1940’s with the popularity of the motor car increasing. Later it became a hotel/ restaurant , until a fire destroyed it . The area became a park(Winnaynee Reserve) in 2007. An information board has been erected to pay tribute to the historic value of the Horseshoe Inn throughout the growth of Old Noarlunga. It also recognises the history and involvement of the Kaurna people in the area .

As you continue to follow the river, on its banks you will find a stone and plaque erected in respect of Rudi Schutze. Rudi was instrumental in getting the gorge and surrounding area designated as a national park. Refused twice by state governments he never gave up .Rudi was a passionate environmentalist with enormous energy and a willingness  to advise on enviromental matters. All have benefited from his wisdom as will the generations to come.

From this point you can see the ford crossing and the route to and from town over the hill to Willunga and to Adelaide.The original swing bridge was swept away by heavy rains as was its replacement in the 1990’s . Because of the possibility of flooding occurring again a new sight was chosen and the current bridge was erected behind the Uniting Church on Malpas Street .Onkaparinga River National Park access can be gained across the bridge (without getting your feet wet).

 The Uniting Church adjacent to the bridge was built in 1885. First it was a Wesleyan Chapel, and later a Methodist Church. A hall was added in 1902, and worship services are held every Sunday at 11.00am

Following along the river, on the right is a stone cottage. Originally built with only two rooms , it is typical of the cottages built in the 1840’s. In a home of this size, it was normal to raise up to six children, and with the two adults ,there was not much room. Later additions were built as people became more affluent.

Follow on along the river and you come to Hutchinson Park , which was once the town dog pound. It has a carving done by a road worker, and was carved in respect for the original people. Adjacent to the park stands another original cottage of 1854 which once housed the dog pound keeper. Further along the river a white building was originally a stable for the stage coach horses then at one time a hospital. Dating from 1854 it is now a private residence.

Turn right and the school is in front of you. Built in 1835 with several modifications since , the school started with some 37 children and is very popular today with students travelling in from other nearby suburbs. The old gum in the playground is heritage listed as one of the oldest trees in the town and is believed to be over 300 years old.

As you go on down Edward St. and on to Patapinda Rd. , turn right and the Old Noarlunga Hotel is on your right. Formerly ‘The Jolly Miller Hotel’ it was established very early in the Old Noarlunga developing years. Built in about 1849 ,the original building was very small, and parts of the original structure  are still contained within the existing building.

Opposite the hotel is a double storey building which was built and used as a dance hall. A smithy which was attached to the right , is now a cafe and curio shop. To the left of the double storey building is another example of a two roomed cottage from the early 1800's.

Continuing on along Patapinda Road, going north, many fine examples of early 1900's houses are evident.The house attached to the Deli dates from the early 1800's and was at one time the towns library.The shop fronted house next door,on the right ,is also from the early 1800's , and was once a drapery. Opposite the Deli, a house and shop date from the mid 1920's , and the shop was originally a butchers. There were five butchers in the town, prior to the local meatworks opening.  

Walk on to Market Square Park , and this is where the first markets were held for the whole area (1841). Today it provides a childrens playground and barbeques, and is one of the best settings in South Australia for a day out with the family.

 Adjacent to the park and river stands the ‘Mill’ , (1844) originally a four storey building , with a steam plant that was the earliest installed in South Australia. Barges were used to feed goods to and from Port Noarlunga, to supply flour to Adelaide and beyond. A fire saw the removal of the top floor , and the chimney and steam plant were removed after the second world war and converted into flats for workers from the local meatworks.

The Lady Diana Fountain (built as a memorial) sits on the banks of the river and adjacent to the park. The arch and rose gardens with the fountain are very popular for weddings.  A boat house once stood on this site but it was removed to install the fountain. A small jetty stood alongside the boat house,  with a four platform diving board stretching out over the river.

The gums and firs on the park are up to 130 years old.

 The Institute Hall (built in 1881) adjacent to the park was originally the Council Chambers.It has had recent extensions completed to have an inside toilet and new kitchen. A foyer also added on the park side and will allow disabled access to the stage area.With high timbered ceiling, wooden floors and stage, it enables a large variety of uses. Recent renovations have seen damp-roofing completed to prevent further damage. It must be remembered that any house built before the 1940’s did not have any damp course , as it had not yet been invented . It is reasonable to expect most older houses to have salt damp from water rising from the ground.

The park commenced as the market for livestock in the early 1800;s, but in the mid 1900's when the Noarlunga Council was established in the hall ,the park area was used as the council depot. When the council moved to the area that is today called Noarlunga, Market Square Park was established and the town was renamed to Old Noarlunga.

If you look upstream (to the south) you see the stone bride built to gain access in to the town from the south. The first bridge was built in 1841 by sappers from the original survey team that laid Old Noarlunga out for residential blocks. Sale of those blocks were advertised in 1841 as selling for four shillings a foot. During the last world war, holes were drilled into the bridge stanchions to take dynamite , enabling the bridge to be blown up if the enemy arrived in Old Noarlunga. 

Another bridge that spans the river is downstream towards Port Noarlunga and was built to carry the steam train track. After the trains ceased to run it stood idle for many years.The train line has now been turned into a cycle track from Noarlunga to McLaren Vale.

The town's main street ( Patapinda Road ) and all buildings over seventy years old are now included on the heritage list. This should ensure the old town ambience and atmosphere will be maintained .

We hope you enjoyed your visit to Old Noarlunga and look forward to you returning again.