Port Willunga jetty. The first jetty was built in 1853 and several months later an additional 52 metres was added. However this still gave inadequate water at low tide. The placement of the jetty was also questioned. In 1857 the jetty was extended again to give a length of 145 metres.

Port Willunga was at this time one of the busiest ports in the colony of South Australia with the large wheat crops of the immediate interior being exported from its jetty. The farmers petitioned for a new and longer jetty and this was constructed in 1867 some 400 metres to the south of the old jetty. It was opened in February 1868. A depth of between 3 and 3.6 metres at medium low water was achieved.

Local farmers petitioned for a further extension and a T-head but this was not agreed to. By the early 1870s the grain trade was depressed: the local flour mills had been closed by 1900. Slate continued to be exported for some time from the jetty. By the early 20^th century the jetty was in disrepair, but still frequented by the local population, and visited by the occasional ship. The unidentified vessel in the photograph appears to be flying holiday bunting.

Today only a few piles remain below the cliffs as a reminder of Port Willunga's past.

Collins, Neville C. The jetties of South Australia: past and present Woodside, S.A. : Neville Collins, 2005

Ash, Aidan Ayliffe. A nice place for a harbour or is it?: investigating a maritime cultural landscape: Port Willunga, South Australia [Bedford Park, S. Aust.]: Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, 2005

Marine Life Society of South Australia INc. Newsletter February 2006: scroll down to Old Port Willunga jetty