Sketch of a landscape scene at Goolwa, with a small fishing boat and two figures in the foreground.

The Goolwa region is recognised as significant for the Ngarrindjerri people of the lower Murray. From the 1850s to the 1880s, the town of Goolwa was one of Australia's most important River Murray ports, linking the inland transport Murray system to the sea. The dangers of negotiating the the Murray Mouth prompted the contruction of a horse-drawn railway from Goolwa to Port Elliot in the 1850s. This line linking the river port and sea port was opened in 1854, supporting rapid development of the river trade.

Dr. Alexander Charles Kelly was born at Leith, Scotland in 1811. He was awarded a medical degree by Edinburgh University in 1832, and acted as a surgeon on the East India Company's ships in 1833.

Dr Kelly emigrated to South Australia aboard the Baboo in 1840. He began a medical practice at Port Adelaide, and was appointed assistant surgeon at Adelaide Hospital in 1841. Dr Kelly bought land at Morphett Vale in 1842, naming the property 'Trinity', and began planting vines in 1845. In 1854, he married Annie Worthington (1826-1912).

Dr Kelly became a partner in Tintara Vineyard Company in 1862. He sold Trinity vineyard and began planting vines for Tintara at Willunga in 1863. Tintara went into voluntary liquidation in the 1870s. Dr Kelly retired in 1876 and died the following year.

Baboo (ship)

Tintara Vineyard Company (McLaren Vale, S. Aust. : Winery)

University of Adelaide Online Books: Two expeditions into the interior of southern Australia during the years 1828,1829,1830,1831 with observations on the soil, climate and general resources of the Colony of New South Wales by Charles Sturt.

Kelly, Alex C. The vine in Australia Melbourne: Sands, Kenny, 1861

D. Hall and V. Hankel, introduction to A. C. Kelly, Wine-Growing in Australia Sydney: David Ell Press, 1980

D. Hall and V. Hankel, The Vine in Australia Sydney: David Ell Press, 1980

Parliamentary Papers (South Australia), 1868-69, vol 2, paper no 56

Advertiser (Adelaide) 10 Sept 1877, p 5; 11 Oct 1877, p 4

South Australian Register 3 Nov 1877, p 13

Kelly papers (PRG 628, State Library of South Australia).

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online Edition Search for Kelly, A.C.

Goolwa State Heritage Area SA Department of Environment and Heritage

Ngarrindjeri Wikipedia

Ngarrindjeri people State Library of South Australia, General Information Factsheets Online

Riverine shipping SA Memory: Wooden walls and iron sides