PLAIN SAILING

A coastal town on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia is attracting attention. In 1853, it became Australia’s first inland port. It’s the only place in the southern hemisphere where steamboat meets steam train. The town is also home to an international wooden boat festival, has slow-food certification, acts as a gateway to many coastal walks and neighbours the McLaren Vale wine region. What more could visitors to Goolwa wish for, other than a good night’s sleep?

The initial lure for theNapier Birks, whose stepmother, Rosetta, was one of Australia’s foremost feminists and philanthropists.