Fishermen's caves

Address: Lot 10, The Esplanade
Suburb: Port Willunga
Title reference: CT 6238/817, Hundred of Willunga
Allot No: 
Plan No: 
Heritage ID No: 28502
Council Heritage ID: 
Type of listing: Local Heritage Place

 

Description

Seven man-made caves associated with 20th century commercial and recreational fishing at Port Willunga following the 1915 destruction of the Port Willunga jetty, most likely constructed by members of the How family. Excavated caves of various depths and heights with excavated shelving and storage areas. Various elements of surviving timber and masonry fabric related to former usage. 

History

The Fishermen’s Caves at Lot 10, The Esplanade, Port Willunga are of significance for their association with the development of commercial and recreational fishing in Port Willunga from the early 20th century. Excavated to house boats and fishing gear, the Caves are strongly associated with the How family, prominent local fishermen who were likely responsible for the Caves’ excavation. The Caves today remain a significant local landmark and tourism drawcard within the Port Willunga landscape

 

Seven Fishermen’s Caves and Lookout at Lot 10, The Esplanade, Port Willunga (GGA, 2022) (JPG, 135KB)



Site of Port Willunga Fishermen’s Caves; Lot 10, The Esplanade, Port Willunga shown within blue hatch and dotted outline, site of Fishermen’s Caves within red rectangle. (Planning SA SAPPA) Site of Port Willunga Fishermen’s Caves; Lot 10, The Esplanade, Port Willunga shown within blue hatch and dotted outline, site of Fishermen’s Caves within red rectangle. (Planning SA SAPPA) (JPG, 102KB)

Site of Fishermen’s Caves, Port Willunga, photographed in c.1910 (SLSA, B 13320) Site of Fishermen’s Caves, Port Willunga, photographed in c.1910 (SLSA, B 13320) (JPG, 170KB)

C.1920s photograph of Port Willunga Jetty site (SLSA image description erroneously describes a date of c.1910); northern-most cave shown in red square; How family lookout shown at cliff top (SLSA, B 16429). C.1920s photograph of Port Willunga Jetty site (SLSA image description erroneously describes a date of c.1910); northern-most cave shown in red square; How family lookout shown at cliff top (SLSA, B 16429). (JPG, 102KB)

C.1920 photograph of a Butterfish catch on the Port Willunga Jetty; two fishermen likely members of the How family (SLSA, B 24150) C.1920 photograph of a Butterfish catch on the Port Willunga Jetty; two fishermen likely members of the How family (SLSA, B 24150) (JPG, 105KB)

c.1935 of the bay at Port Willunga, Stan How shown in foreground (SLSA, B 55417/247) c.1935 of the bay at Port Willunga, Stan How shown in foreground (SLSA, B 55417/247) (JPG, 94KB)

c.1945 photograph of the How family lookout, Port Willunga, now demolished (SLSA, B 16429) c.1945 photograph of the How family lookout, Port Willunga, now demolished (SLSA, B 16429) (JPG, 103KB)

Excavated shelving and timber bracing to interior of one of the seven caves (GGA, 2022) Excavated shelving and timber bracing to interior of one of the seven caves (GGA, 2022) (JPG, 213KB)

Excavated fabric, including shelving and concrete fabric to rear of cave (GGA, 2022) Excavated fabric, including shelving and concrete fabric to rear of cave (GGA, 2022) (JPG, 180KB)

Relatively shallow cave to the south, with excavated shelving (GGA, 2022) Relatively shallow cave to the south, with excavated shelving (GGA, 2022) (JPG, 169KB)

Location

Lot 10, The Esplanade, Port Willunga 5173  View Map

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