Willunga, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Willunga Adelaide, South Australia
Willunga Location in South Australia
Established	1840
Postcode(s)	5172
Time zone	ACST (UTC+9:30)
• Summer (DST)	ACST (UTC+10:30)
Location	47 km (29 mi) from Adelaide
LGA(s)	City of Onkaparinga
Region	Southern Adelaide
County	Adelaide
State electorate(s)	Mawson
Federal Division(s)	Mayo
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 19.4 °C 67 °F 7.5 °C 46 °F 756.3 mm 29.8 in
Suburbs around Willunga: Tatachilla McLaren Vale The Range Whites Valley Willunga Montarra Pages Flat Willunga South Willunga Hill

Willunga is a charming town located south of Adelaide, South Australia. It's part of the City of Onkaparinga, which is a local government area. The town is about 47 kilometers by road from the center of Adelaide. It's also just 12 kilometers from the coast at Aldinga Bay. Willunga is nestled within the famous McLaren Vale wine region. In 2021, about 3,604 people lived in Willunga.

A Glimpse into Willunga's Past

Willunga has a rich history, especially known for its slate industry. This industry started way back in 1840. A farmer named Edward Loud discovered slate on his land. Soon after, he opened the very first slate quarry in the area.

The name Willunga comes from an Aboriginal word, 'willangga'. This word means 'the locality of green trees'. The Willunga Post Office first opened its doors on July 14, 1839.

Historic Buildings of Willunga

The Old Police Station and Court House is an important historical building. It stands at 61 High Street. Its foundations were laid in 1855 using local stone. This building first served as a place for female immigrants until 1872. It was made much bigger in 1864.

Right across High Street is the Old Post and Telegraph Station. The first part of this building was built in 1857. It held the Post Office, Telegraph Station, and the Postmaster's home. More parts were added in 1864 and a two-story section in 1865.

In 1916, the building stopped being a post and telegraph office. It was bought by new owners in 1935. However, its history was not forgotten. It was carefully restored in 1986. This work helped to save its historical importance for future generations.

Willunga's Local Businesses

Willunga is one of South Australia's oldest towns. It is a small country town that attracts many visitors. You can find various businesses here. These include coffee shops, places to eat, a post office, and a general store. There are also three hotels and one fuel station.

Places of Worship

Willunga is home to four different churches. These include Anglican, Roman Catholic, Uniting, and Pentecostal churches.

Fun Things to Do in Willunga

Willunga offers many activities for visitors and locals. The Willunga Golf Course and Bowling Club are on the northern side of town.

Trails for Exploring

The Coast to Vines Rail Trail runs near the golf course. This trail is perfect for cyclists and walkers. It connects Willunga to the town of McLaren Vale. The Willunga Basin Trail is a long 130 km walking path that also goes through the town.

Visiting Historic Sites

You can visit several historic buildings in Willunga. These include the Old Willunga Courthouse and Police Station complex. There's also the Slate Museum, the Bassett Boys Schoolroom, and Waverley Park Homestead.

Festivals and Markets

Willunga is famous for hosting a stage of the Tour Down Under cycle race every summer. This race often finishes at the top of Willunga Hill. The town also holds the Almond Blossom Festival each July. In October, you can enjoy the Fleurieu Folk Festival. The Willunga Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning.

Media in Willunga

Tribe FM 91.1 is a local community radio station. It broadcasts from Willunga. Volunteers run the station. It serves the mid-south coast and nearby areas. You can listen to the station live online. They also have some programs available on their website. In 2018, the station won an award for sports broadcasting. A South Australian politician, Katrine Hildyard, was part of the winning team.

Willunga also had a short-lived publication called the Willunga Bulletin in 1907. It was mainly a promotion for Dr Sheldon's medicines from America.

Sports Teams in Willunga

Willunga has many different sports teams. These include an Australian rules football team, the Demons. There's also a football team for students. Other clubs include a netball club, a basketball club, a tennis club, and a cricket club. The town also has a soccer club that plays in the NDJSA league.

Willunga's Railway History

A railway line from Adelaide reached Willunga on January 20, 1915. It was operated by South Australian Railways. A station-master was in charge of the station. A large turntable was built during construction but was later moved in 1941–42. A railway triangle was built around 1930.

By 1963, only one freight train came per week. This train was scheduled so that locomotives did not stay overnight in Willunga. Because of this, the buildings for employees and other engine facilities were taken down. The railway line closed in 1969. The tracks were removed in 1972. Today, the old railway path is the Coast to Vines Rail Trail from Hallett Cove to Willunga.

Learning in Willunga

Willunga has three schools for students in the town and nearby areas. These are Willunga Waldorf Steiner School (for students from kindergarten to year 12), Willunga Primary School and kindergarten, and Willunga High School. The high school opened at its current location in 1960.

Before 1960, older students (years 8 to 11) went to Willunga Higher Primary School. It was located at the corner of Main Road and Aldinga Road. This school closed at the end of 1959. This happened when the new Willunga High School was finished. The new high school is on Main Road, north of the town.

Willunga and the National Broadband Network

Willunga was one of the first five areas chosen for the National Broadband Network (NBN). The town was picked to show how fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet could be set up in a regional area with spread-out houses. This was a real-life test for future NBN setups. Construction started in early 2011. The first customer service began on June 27, 2011.

Famous People from Willunga

Some notable people have lived in or are from Willunga. One example is Fanny Elizabeth de Mole. She was an author and illustrator. She wrote Wild flowers of South Australia (1861). This was the first book about wildflowers in the state.

The town is also the setting for a 1930 radio play. It's called The Clock Strikes Twelve by Max Afford.