Venture out with your family or friends on a day of discovery.

Set in a picturesque reserve, the heritage-listed Courthouse complex gives visitors an authentic nineteenth-century court-room experience, with prisoner's box, jury box and witness box, plus cells, exercise yard and stables. Past deeds and misdeeds are brought to life with stories of the heroism of the Mounted Constables stationed here from 1839, the discovery of Willunga slate, and records the family and community Life of the district.

The Museum archives are popular with family researchers and local history enthusiasts. Informal courtroom re-enactments are available for groups. A walking trail takes visitors across the creek, through the woodland where police horses once grazed, to the site of the early Government Hut. Township tours and walks available. Picnic facilities and public toilets on site.

The Courthouse Nature Reserve, a pocket of grassy woodland in the foothills of Willunga...

This tiny 1.8 hectare reserve represents the natural, pre-European landscape of Willa-ungga (Meaning is uncertain… it may mean place of green trees) no doubt well known to the Kaurna people who are today acknowledged as the traditional owners. It is part of a larger Government Reserve on which a survey depot was set up in 1839, followed by police and postal huts and, subsequently, the heritage-listed Courthouse and Police Station buildings (from 1855). The property is leased and maintained by the Willunga Branch of the National Trust of South Australia, with the support of the present owner The City of Onkaparinga.  See Willunga Nature Trail below.

When setting up we bring out marquees and tables, chairs and umbrellas for the breakfast area. We also put up signage and traffic controls.

Of course packing up is the reverse of above!

The work is fun for people who enjoy doing physical work, being part of a team and helping a community venture.

Points of Interest (shown by numbered posts)

1. Approaching the creek you see a variety of eucalypt and sheoak trees planted in the late 1960s by Edwin Vickery, head teacher at Willunga Primary School from 1961 until 1970 and an early advocate of planting Australian native trees and shrubs.

Take care as you walk down to the creek. It can be slippery. The permanent spring-fed creek enters the sea at Maslin Beach. Water quality is monitored by school children participating in the Waterwatch Programme.

2. The Reserve is a significant remnant of grassy woodland which escaped clearance, possibly because it was the Government Reserve on which police horses were grazed. Over the last 10 years, weedy shrubs such as broom and olive have been removed by National Trust volunteers.

3. Photographs are taken regularly from this marker to monitor the conditions of the reserve and note any regeneration that occurs after weed removal.

4. This magnificent South Australian blue gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) is hundreds of years old and provides food and shelter for many animals, birds and small creatures, including rosellas, honeyeaters and possums.

5. Here you overlook the early Government Quarry (1840-1903), which provided stone for many local buildings, including the Courthouse and Police Station.

6. These spiky black-anther flax-lilies (Dianella revolute) have small blue flowers in spring. Honeyeaters and lizards eat the ripe fruits.

7. In spring you will see scattered violet flowers of the dainty vanilla lily (Arthropodium stictum) which once covered the entire hillside. Now it survives among clumps of native spear-grass (Austrostipa species) aptly named because the seeds penetrate soil or animal fur with a spear-like action. Native lilies and grasses regenerate quickly once weeds are removed.

8. Another fine old South Australian blue gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) - take time to appreciate it, and think of how many creatures may depend on it.

9. Here you pass through an area of broad-left raspwort (Gonocarpus mezianus) an ankle-high native herb which dies back in summer. Notice also the golden wattle trees (Acacia pycnantha) with naturally dark trunks, and on the right a large area of spear-grass (Austrostipa species).

10. The large gum trees with dark bark are grey box trees (Eucalyptus macrocarpa). Grey box grassy woodland is uncommon in the Mount Lofty Ranges and is listed as a threatened vegetation type to be conserved and protected. Small grey box saplings have come up naturally following the removal of weeds. Fallen branches are left on the ground to provide homes for lizards, skinks and other small creatures that are part of the biodiversity of the reserve.

11. Site of a wooden Government Hut, built in 1840 to provide accommodation for officials visiting Willunga or passing through to Encounter Bay. More information is available in the Courthouse Museum. On the left of the path is an area of native wallaby-grass (Austrodanthonia species) commonly grazed by kangaroos and wallabies before crops and pasture grasses were introduced.

12. This large dead eucalyptus trees has not been identified, nor do we know the cause of its death. Was it struck by lightning or did it die of old age? Nearby is a clump of native tussock-grass (Poa species).

13. From the nearby seat take time to appreciate the grey box woodland and the outlook to Port Willunga and St. Vincent’s Gulf.

14. Enjoy this grove of drooping sheoak trees (Allocasuarina verticillata). Their seed cones are popular with parrots, galahs and cockatoos.

15. Turning left, in the distance is the former home of John Atkinson whose family settled in Willunga from 1839 and established a brickyard, the first Old Bush Inn, and Atkinson’s General Store and Bakery in the High Street. From here the trail completes its loop and returns to the bridge.

(Material is not to be removed from this conservation reserve.)

Willunga Recreation Park Grounds, south side of oval, between CFS & Willunga Hardware, Aldinga Road, Willunga...

Enter the Market from Main and Aldinga Roads or Railway Terrace.

Willunga Quarry Market is known throughout the Fleurieu Peninsula, McLaren Vale Wine District, Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills for its great variety of quality crafts and other items. 

Purchase quality leather work, hand spun and knitted natural wool jumpers, scarves and hats and a wide range of socks.  Hand turned wooden bowls, wood carvings, utensils and gifts, marble creations and a wide range of handmade jewellery and craft will provide you with an enjoyable time whether you purchase or just "window shop".

Hand made soaps and candles and home made produce is also here for you.  You can buy fresh fruit and vegetables.

You can choose from a wide range of beautiful pot plants and vegetable seedlings.  Second hand books, clothes, crockery and tools are also a regular feature.

Enjoy refreshments... beneath the enormous red gums while listening to specially employed performers.

See InaNutshell for details

Contact: Pamela Jensen, President, Ph/Fax: 08 8556 2502

Lions Saleyard, Binney Rd (cnr Strout Rd), between McLaren Vale and Willunga.  Gates Open 6am... 

Experience the excitement and romance of real country bidding on thousands of items... farm, garden, household, computers, books, furniture, automotive, animals, and poultry.  If its ever been made or if someone ever thought of it, it just could be there waiting for you.

Get your number and join in if you've never tried before.  Buy a hot snag, cool drink and an ice-cream.  It's an experience you'll always treasure. 

What is special about the Willunga Lions Auction...?  Its big, it's country, it's different, its fun...

Contacts: Saleyards Organiser:  Dean Hunt  0414 564 389  

The Old Bush Inn ('Top Pub'), 51 High St, Willunga...  at the top of the main street...

Alternate Thursdays, 8pm - midnight...   the acoustic gigs...

Happy Hour... Friday 5 to 6pm

Second Sunday 12noon onwards...  Celtic Band...

Contact: 08 8556 2032.   Email luke@oldbushinn.com

See www.oldbushinn.com

Alma Hotel ('Bottom Pub'), 11 Hill St, (opposite Willunga Recreation Park Main Gates and Festival Stadium), Willunga...

Live music every second Friday night from 9pm... plus more...

Contact: Melinda  08 8556 2027

See www.almahotel.com.au

Monday, Wednesday and Friday... 7.30am summer, 8am winter... prompt start

Walk to keep fit! Come and join the Willunga Tweeters Walking Group, jointly sponsored by the Rotary Clubs, National Heart Foundation and the City of Onkaparinga. We walk 3 mornings a week. Walk at your own pace. We are a friendly group and would love to have you join us and at the same time keep fit.

Contact: Jean  08 8556 4593.