Willunga Courthouse Museum

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Willunga Courthose Museum

The Willunga Courthouse Museum is located in a heritage-listed courthouse complex, with cells, stable and police residence, in a picturesque setting in thehistoric Willunga township. The museum occupies a period courtroom maintained in authentic condition, with displays of memorabilia related to the police station and courthouse, the police officers and their families, and the magistrates and the court cases which took place there.

Visitors to the Museum can browse through an archive of family and district history records, old photos and newspaper articles dating back to 1838.

The Museum is a popular venue for outdoor weddings and community events.

Groups can enjoy a guided tour and possibly an entertaining courtroom re-enactment - a mock trial. A township bus tour is also available (bookings essential).

The grounds are part of the Willunga Courthouse Reserve. Across the creek is a short walking trail to the top of the hill, through the grey box gum trees and grassy woodland where police horses once grazed.

History

The complex was built from 1855 to 1872. It was initially used as a female immigration depot in 1855 before the Police and Court moved in. After it closed in 1929 it gradually fell into disrepair before being restored by the National Trust and re-opened to the public in 1970.