Willunga, South Australia

Willunga
Adelaide, South Australia
Willunga
Coordinates 35°17′0″S 138°33′0″E / 35.28333°S 138.55000°E / -35.28333; 138.55000Coordinates: 35°17′0″S 138°33′0″E / 35.28333°S 138.55000°E / -35.28333; 138.55000
Population 2,416 (2011 census)[1]
Established 1840
Postcode(s) 5172
Location 47 km (29 mi) from Adelaide
LGA(s) City of Onkaparinga
State electorate(s) Mawson
Federal Division(s) Mayo
Suburbs around Willunga:
Tatachilla[2] McLaren Vale[2] The Range[2]
Whites Valley[2] Willunga The Range[2]
Willunga South[2] Alexandrina Council[2] Alexandrina Council[2]

Willunga is a town south of Adelaide, South Australia in the City of Onkaparinga local government area 47 km from the Adelaide CBD. Sometimes considered a part of the Adelaide metropolitan area, it is located within the famous McLaren Vale wine growing region. At the 2011 census, Willunga had a population of 2,416.[1]

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.

History

Willunga Post Office opened on 14 July 1839.[3] The name Willunga derives from an aboriginal word 'willangga' meaning,'the locality of green trees'.[4]

Commerce

The main township of Willunga is located on Main and Aldinga Roads. Being one of South Australia's earliest towns, Willunga is a character-filled, small country town which attracts many visitors. This is reflected in its many businesses. Besides coffee shops and eateries there are the post office, general store, three hotels and one fuel station. There are four churches (an Anglican, a Catholic and a Uniting along with a Pentecostal church).

Tourism

Willunga has an eighteen-hole golf course with a restaurant open to the public. On the same property is the Willunga Bowling Club and the Waverley Homestead, home of a community arts organisation called STARS.

Most of Willunga's large events are held on the Willunga-owned Recreation Park (Willunga's halls and meeting rooms, oval and grounds), located near the town square. The Willunga National Trust, opens its old courthouse and slate museums on weekends and Tuesdays. Its grounds accommodate various events including weddings.

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.

The Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally is held annually near Willunga.

Sports

Willunga has many sporting teams, including a football team (the Demons); a football team for students; a netball club, a basketball club, tennis club and a cricket club. Also, the township has a soccer club, in the NDJSA league.

Walking and cycling trails

The Coast to Vines rail trail finishes at Willunga.

Education

Willunga has three schools: Willunga Waldorf Steiner School (K-12), Willunga High & Primary, and a kindergarten. Willunga High School was opened on its present site in 1960.

National Broadband Network deployment

Willunga was chosen as one of the first five release areas for the National Broadband Network. The town was chosen to demonstrate archetypal FTTH deployment in a regional area with dispersed housing, providing a live test for similar deployments across the future NBN. The construction phase occurred in early 2011 and the first customer service went live on 27 June 2011.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Willunga (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "City of Onkaparinga suburb boundaries map". City of Onkaparinga. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  3. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  4. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/news/south-australia/willunga/2005/02/17/1108500204773.html
  5. ↑ "NBN First Release Sites". National Broadband Network website. NBN Co Limited. Retrieved 27 June 2010. External link in |work= (help)
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