Goolwa Beach

he main beach access is at Goolwa Beach (149A), 11 km northwest of the mouth (Fig. 4.31). The road runs straight out to the beach where there is a large car park, toilets and a kiosk. There is also 4WD access to the beach out to Murray Mouth. The other two access point are to the west through the Surfers subdivision, and the Middleton subdivision, both spots providing car access to the low bluffs overlooking the long beach and wide surf zone (149B & 149C) (Fig. 4.32). The entire beach is composed of fine sand and exposed to wave averaging over 2 m. These break across a 500 m wide double bar surf zone, characterised by numerous spilling breakers and substantial wave set-up and set-down at the shoreline, and during lower waves conditions widely spaced rips. At Middleton a strong permanent rip runs out against the rocks.