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The Onkaparinga River

The name is derived from an aboriginal word meaning "River of Women's Place". Before white settlement, this area had plentiful supplies of fish, game and ochre encouraging invasions from neighbouring aboriginals. The gentle locals soon learnt to hide their women up-river, first from indigenous marauders and later from whalers and other white settlers.

The Onkaparinga National Park Is today a flora and fauna sanctuary enjoyed by bushwalkers, birdwatchers and fisher folk where Royal and Yellow-billed Spoonbills, Little Egrets, Herons, Coots, Ibis and Pelicans are in abundance. From Old Noarlunga the park stretches up-river to Clarendon and down-river to the estuary at Port Noarlunga.

The river can be crossed using the unique swing bridge (6) or at the ford (4) providing access into the gorge.

Old Noarlunga Village

Originally named No-orlunga, land for the new township here was offered for sale in 1840 by The South Australian Company at 4 shillings per foot. Before the township could flourish, settlers had to begin working the land. They cleared dense Wattle and Peppermint Gums scrub, sowed crops, grazed cattle and sheep.

It became a very bare, dusty, "Frontier Town" of furious activity. Coaches rested and 'Bullockys' water-holed at the Horseshoe Inn, the steam-driven mill sent barges of flour down-river to the ships at Port Noarlunga. The Market Square was thick with stock at the monthly markets and stores, blacksmiths and a brewery did a busy trade.

Coaches and bullock wagons made a 'Perilous' descent to the township (route near Church Hill Road) and before the first bridge was built, went on south via the river ford and hills-face east of the Horseshoe Inn site. If you look up the hills, you can see the earth mounds made to rest the bullocks on the steep haul.

1. Market Square
   Patapinda Road
   
   Today a spacious 'village green' with gas barbecues, playground & green lawns. A far cry from the dusty stock markets held there from 1841. Quarterly fairs brought grand crowds with a constant stream of horse drawn vehicles & mounts.

   The Princess Diana Fountain is located on the square adjacent to the river.

2. Church of St. Phillip and St. James (1850)
   Church Hill Road
   
   This lovely town landmark is still a living place of worship and is constructed of ironstone blocks quarried from the Onkaparinga cliffs. Valuable local history is contained in the surrounding cemetery.
   

3. House Set into Bank (1880)
   Church Road
   Originally a well known brewery, now a private residence

4. The Old Ford
   Church Hill Road
   First crossing for coaches, wagons, teams & horses using the 'Old Coach Road' (up the hills to the east).

5. The Horseshoe Inn Site
   Patapinda Road
   First licensed in 1840 this site was originally the stagging post on the Adelaide, Willunga, Encounter Bay coach route. In the 1880's smugglers rowed contraband up river from sailing ships at Port Noarlunga. Unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1988, the site is now a park.

6. The Swing Bridge
   A safe and attractive crossing into the Onkaparinga National Park.
   

7. Uniting Church (1885)
   Malpas Street
   First a Wesleyan Chapel, later a Methodist Church. A hall was added in 1902, and worship services are held every Sunday at 11.00am
   

8. Annie's Cottage (1870)
   Original two room cottage, somewhat enlarged over the years.

9. Hutchinson Reserve
   Originally used as the town pound, now a lovely picnic area with river and cliffs as a backdrop.

10. Modern Carving
    By a young road worker as a tribute to the first people.

11. Noarlunga Cottage
    28 Malpas Street
    Dates from 1860

12. Noarlunga Primary School
    Cnr Malpas and Edward Streets
    Built in 1835 and started with just 37 scholars

13. White building
    Edward St
    Now a private residence, but was once used as a hospital. It dates from 1850.

14. Small Cottage
    Malpas Street
    One of the oldest houses in the township dating from 1840.

15. Small Cottage
    Baron Street
    One of the houses in the township dating from 1880.

16. Victorian house
    Baron Street
    A Beautiful Victorian house on large grounds (1830).

17. Bake House
    Patapinda Road
    Now used as tea shop and selling dolls houses & miniatures was a bake house and has the facia of the brick oven still in the house (1860).

18. Small Cottage
    Patapinda Road
    One of the houses in the township dating from 1880.

19. Small Cottage
    Patapinda Road
    One of the houses in the township dating from 1860.

20. 0ld Noarlunga Hotel
    Patapinda Road
    Originally built in 1860, has seen recent renovations and extensions.
    

21. House and Shop
    49 Patapinda Road
    The shop was built in 1925 and was originally a butchers. The house was built in 1926.

22. Post Office
    54 Patapinda Road
    Originally the post office, now a private residence. It was built in 1920.

23. House and Shop
    50 Patapinda Road
    The house was built in 1860 and the shop at a later date. Now a residence and Deli.
    

24. Two Storey House
    37 Patapinda Road
    Built for a venue for dances in 1890.

25. 0ld Noarlunga Institute
    Patapinda Road
    Originally built in 1860. This is a local venue for all sorts of activities including weddings.

26. House
    48 Patapinda Road
    Originally a combined residence and shop from 1860 to 1920. Now a residence only.

27. DeYoung's Salvage Pty Ltd
    31 Seaford Road
    Quality Demolitions & Recycling Operations, New and Used Building Materials