History

Join Kaurna man Jack Buckskin as he explores Kaurna's connection with the Patawalonga and Glenelg.

As early as 1851, the Patawalonga was a popular destination for picnics, fishing and boating. Recreational pursuits like canoeing, sailing, speed boat racing and water skiing were all favoured amongst adults and children alike. This was spurred on by the completion of the boat ramp on the north bank in 1965.

One of the most famous regattas held along the Patawalonga was the Milk Cartoon Regatta. The first regatta attracted 40,000 people who watched homemade craft constructed from empty milk cartons compete in a race. Run annually, entrants had to construct crafts from empty milk cartons and little else. The vessels were only allowed to have paddles and sails for propulsion. On the day, the Patawalonga would be filled with all types of craft, from Viking ships to tractors. To match these creations, entrants came up with names such as ‘Hopefully Afloat’, ‘S.S. Unsinkable’ and ‘Titanic’. There were milk-themed ones too: ‘Milk-anical Monster’, ‘Milky Way’ and ‘The Milk Mobile’. The regatta was cancelled in 1988 due to the pollution in the Patawalonga.

Footage courtesy Screen Australia.

The Patawalonga Improvement Scheme was proposed through Parliament in 1884 and made way for the construction of wooden gates at the mouth, as well as sheet piling surrounding the banks of the river up to Gray’s Footbridge. Surrounded by controversy, on Friday, 24 June 1887, the wooden gates at the mouth collapsed after several days of heavy rain.

In 1954, the first steps to develop the ‘Patawalonga Lake’ were taken, with the project completed in 1960. the Patawalonga still operates under this system today. You can learn more about this system via the Department for Environment and Water.

In 1997, the Holdfast Shores development was proposed, and construction was completed by 2002. This development saw the end of the infamous 'end of ANZAC Highway carpark', a popular meeting place for many younger generations of South Australians. Completing this development, combined with the lock, permanently changed views to the mouth of the Patawalonga.

Footage courtesy State Library SA.

The first bridge over the Patawalonga was Gray's Footbridge, which opened in 1857. This bridge was built to provide access to the beach on the western side of the Patawalonga (then known as the peninsula). Following this, Military Bridge (1884 - 1974), Gray's Bridge (1901-1974) and the current bridge have all allowed people to drive across the Patawalonga.

Wardlipulthu Waadlakatha translates in Kaurna to ‘a former place of encampment’ and ‘a tree lying across a river and serving as a bridge’.

Footage Courtesy, City of Holdfast Bay.