Craig Moseley’s work in the insurance industry has taken him to live in beautiful locations such as Mt Gambier, Cairns and even a brief term in London – but when it came to settling down, The Marina Hindmarsh Island was the perfect choice.

After living in Queensland, Craig decided to make the move to The Marina Hindmarsh Island where he has been enjoying the sea change with his wife and children for almost three years now.

“I was drawn to The Marina Hindmarsh Island because it was just so attractive. It has attractive new homes, buildings and infrastructure, attractive natural surroundings, and good prices for prime land,” Craig says.

“The beautiful thing about the marina is everything is within a five minute drive – major shops and services, beautiful beaches, close to work and an easy drive to Adelaide.

“My parents also live on The Marina which is great especially having a young family.”

Craig’s three-storey dream home on Excelsior Parade has been built into the ground and enjoys stunning views of the area, with his favourite room being the top floor living area.

“When we were building I decided to whack a bar in the top floor as it has great views looking down across the Coorong providing the perfect place to sit back and relax after a long day’s work,” he said.

“And being a keen surfer, it is great living by the water with some of the state’s best surf beaches at my doorstep including Goolwa and Middleton.”

For Brian and Judith Morisset, The Marina Hindmarsh Island offers a marina lifestyle ... and much, much more.

“The Marina, the water, vast expanses of sky, the hills in the distance, the silence only broken by the boats that chug past and the wave from those aboard. These are just some of the reasons we love it here,” Brian says.

“You get to know many of the boats. We have a pontoon marina and a pontoon boat moored to it and we walk out the front door, down the path and onto the boat (all waterfront properties have deep water frontage)."

The couple bought just over a half an acre at The Marina Hindmarsh Island about three years ago, built a holiday home and now spends three nights on their island home each week and four back in Adelaide, spending just one hour and ten minutes travelling door to door.

“We enjoy gardening hence the half acre, but you can have apartments and smaller allotments: the choice is varied. There are established properties or you can create your own. We have mains water and a sewage system - things you take for granted if you are in a metropolitan area.” Brian says.

“The Coorong, the village atmosphere that is Goolwa, the Sunday markets, the characters: all make this a place fun and there is always something to do.”

Visiting the Hoads (Hoads Fisheries) down at Mundoo Channel to buy fresh fish every second weekend or eating out at one of many fantastic nearby eateries – such as Hectors on the Wharf, Aqua Café, Marina Tavern, Bombora’s at Goolwa beach, The Whistle Stop and The Australasian, Kingsbrook and Currency Creek Estates and Blue’s Restaurant – are just some of the activities the couple enjoys.

“During daylight saving there are Friday night sail boat races which we watch from Hectors on the Wharf. They tack so close to the wharf you can almost reach out and touch them,” Brian says. “Single scull, quads and eights glide up and down the river on weekends, then there are the historical trains and the Oscar W; the paddlesteamer. All are part of an experience just five minutes from the Marina.”

The Marina annually arranges great events both on and off the water. BBQ’s, picnics, overnighting, with 9-12 boats, in the Coorong, doing day runs up to Clayton or enjoying boat raft ups for no other reason to mix, meet, listen to some music and enjoy the conviviality.

The Marina also holds a fun one-day boating event, the SeaRay Aquapalooza, which is fun whether “you’re six, sixteen or sixty”.

“We have met many people and look forward to Friday in a way that even surprises us. If you want something to do, something to look forward to then this is it,” Brian says.

“If you want to fish, sit in the sun, read a book, garden, do crosswords, Sudoku or just contemplate life, we can’t think of a better place. We love it.”

Caz Colwell was reluctant about moving to The Marina Hindmarsh Island from her former Happy Valley home - but now wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. 

“My husband Rob was very passionate about the Marina, and was absolutely besotted by a block of land there,” says Caz.

“I was happy living at Happy Valley, and didn’t want to move despite always having a love for the sea but once we got here I couldn’t thank Rob enough.

“It’s the best thing we’ve ever done.”

Caz and Rob moved into their Excelsior Parade property in March 2009 and enjoy beautiful views over Hutchinson Lagoon.  

“There is an amazing amount of bird species and wildlife at The Marina, and plenty of boats sailing past that are always willing to give a wave and stop for a chat,” Caz says.

“Rob and I love to take the dog for a walk and stop off at one of the lovely little coffee shops nearby.

“And I didn’t expect there to be such great shopping facilities and services nearby. It has everything you need and even a new shopping centre.”

Whether it’s spending a day travelling to world class wineries, cruising aboard the P.S. Oscar-W or attending the numerous events put on by The Marina Hindmarsh Island, Caz and Rob say there’s plenty of opportunity to do it all.  

“There are just so many wineries and attractions to get to, but we are in no rush to get to all of them yet because we’ll be spending the rest of our lives here at The Marina,” Caz says.

“We have made so many new friends here because everyone is so welcoming. We have lots of get-togethers with friends and neighbours and have attended plenty of events that The Marina puts on for residents including Christmas in July, and BBQs. There’s just a great sense of community here.”

And what would Caz say to someone considering moving to The Marina Hindmarsh Island?

“Don’t hesitate. The Marina Hindmarsh Island offers a fantastic lifestyle in a relaxing setting with plenty of birds and wildlife. And you can’t imagine how good it is until you live here,” she says.

Christine Kirby and her husband Christopher Waldock have had a long-running relationship with The Marina Hindmarsh Island: they were among the original property owners from The Marina’s humble beginnings back in 1986 and recently purchased a new waterfront villa in Providence Waters.

With parents who used to race speedboats around the Murray River and lower lakes, it is no surprise the Adelaide Hills couple love getting away to their waterside weekender at The Marina Hindmarsh Island.

“My husband and I cruised in to Goolwa and the Marina on a boat one day and absolutely fell in love with the place,” Christine says.

“We purchased one of the seven original villas and have since seen the Marina grow into the unique waterfront community it is today.”

Christine and Christopher recently purchased a new waterfront villa in Providence Waters and plan to become full-time residents in the future when they retire.

“Having travelled to destinations throughout Australia and overseas, we have always loved coming home to The Marina Hindmarsh Island,” Christine says.

“It’s a really lovely community around here. We love the country pace of Goolwa that you just can’t enjoy living close to the city - it’s a great place to be.

“And there are lots of fantastic cafes, restaurants and wineries nearby where we enjoy wandering around for hours and discovering something new.”

As much as Christine and Christopher like to eat out, they also love entertaining friends and guests at their The Marina Hindmarsh Island home, where they enjoy their two jet skis and a share in a boat. 

“We purchased a share in a 20 foot trailer-sailer with some friends a few years back, and they loved the Marina so much they ended up moving here too,” she says.

For seven months Irene and Peter Edgecombe visited just about every retirement village in Adelaide and surrounds  – and then they found Alexandrina Cove.

The former Happy Valley couple instantly fell in love with the island, the surrounding area and their brand new, spacious three-bedroom  villa at The Marina Hindmarsh Island.

“I love my home, I really do, and I know for a fact you can’t find anything of this quality or representing better value anywhere,” Irene says.

“We’ve always loved this whole area and used to go down to Victor Harbor on weekends but it’s so busy these days. Here it’s a bit like what Victor used to be – peaceful and you don’t have the traffic and people doing wheelies and making noise.”

Peter and Irene have wasted no time getting to know their new environment, eating delicious pub meals at historic Corio Hotel, becoming regular coffee drinkers at Goolwa’s Cafe Lime and trying not to give into the temptation of the cakes and buns at Port Elliot Bakery too often.

And their nine-year-old grandson has also made himself at home, fishing in the lagoons and getting lots of nibbles but yet to catch a big one. Not one to give up, he has stowed his fishing gear at his grandparents place ready for his next visit.

“And my daughter and son-in-law do a lot of bike riding and have already come down to ride the track along the beach (Encounter Way) to Victor,” Irene says.

“I used to think Hindmarsh Island was a long way away but it isn’t.  It takes about 50 to 60 minutes to get from here to Happy Valley – and it’s a pretty drive. It used to take us about the same amount of time to get from Happy Valley to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital so travelling across Adelaide can take just as long, if not longer.”

Irene says the layout of her new home is perfect for casual living and the quality of the home is exceptional.

“They’ve really thought of everything and it is so easy to keep clean. I wasn’t sure about timber floorboards but they look fantastic and the place comes up gorgeous,” she says.

Both Peter and Irene love their private, outdoor entertaining area and were surprised to hear the ocean on night while enjoying a drink outside with their Australian Silky Terrier, Indie.

“Sometimes at night we can hear the ocean from our bedroom – it’s like being on holidays all the time,” Irene says.

In fact, Irene’s family has a holiday home in Moonta that the Edgecombes have been meaning to get to for ages but Irene now thinks “what’s the point – we have everything here”.

Having  settled in to their new home and surroundings, the Edgecombes are now looking forward to the opening of the community centre in the new year.

“It would be nice to have a family get together there – maybe we can help christen it!” Irene says.

Liz and Barry Graham have swapped a tree change for a sea change as they prepare for retirement - and couldn’t be happier.

While the couple enjoyed living in the Adelaide Hills town of Hahndorf, they decided about four years ago it was time to move.

“Having been accustomed to living on a large block of land, it was difficult to find somewhere that would offer large land at a good price,” Liz says.

That was until they discovered the spacious, waterfront blocks at The Marina Hindmarsh Island. The couple snapped up a parcel of land and designed their dream home - recently entered by Rossdale homes into the HIA Awards - which they have lived in since November 2009.

Entertaining friends, family and international visitors in their modern yet classic home is a breeze while both Liz and Barry enjoy the short daily coastal drive to work to nearby Victor Harbor.

“It is great to be able to live in a superb house that is close to Adelaide and close to work where we are still able to keep in close contact with friends in Adelaide as well as make plenty of new ones here,” Liz says.

“We absolutely love the sense of community here, and have even been away on a holiday with our neighbours who have become great friends of ours.

“And The Marina is just superbly managed. They maintain high standards: the grass is always cut and not a piece of rubbish in sight.”

Liz enjoys volunteering on weekends at the Steam Ranger Cockle Train and Brian is a volunteer for the Country Fire Service.

“In our spare time Barry enjoys going out fishing on his boat, and we love using the walking trails. There is just so much happening around here no matter what you’re into whether art and music, food and wine or joining community clubs,” Liz says.

“I think it’s just so wonderful to be that close to Adelaide, and to be able to live in a great environment with all the facilities you need at such a great price for land.”

Eight years ago Mark Adams and his wife Amanda drove down to Goolwa from their Adelaide home on a Sunday morning for a quiet cup of coffee. What they discovered was The Marina Hindmarsh Island - and instantly fell in love with the place.

“We found a community that was new, unique and located near a beautiful little country town: it was The Marina Hindmarsh Island,” Mark says. 

“To snap up a piece of prime waterfront land so close to a capital city near a town with everything you need - it doesn’t get any better than this.”

Mark and Amanda built one of the original waterfront properties on Wentworth Parade, using the home as a weekender before recently relocating to The Marina permanently.   

“We have made so many good friends here. We have dinner at a neighbour’s home at least once a week and go out to a local cafe or restaurant with them a couple of times a week too.”

And Mark says he and his wife have never been so socially active until moving to The Marina Hindmarsh Island.

“What we have noticed is that people don’t come here to retire; people come here to live. People around here are playing golf, sailing, water skiing, playing bowls and fishing, there are just so many activities going on,” Mark says.

“My wife and I enjoy heading out on the boat for a spot of fishing and a joy ride along the river. It is a wonderful place to do it.”

Mark’s sister and brother-in-law have also been attracted by The Marina and are keen re-locate from Darwin within the next 12 months. 

“There’s no traffic, no traffic lights and all the parking at the local shops you’ll ever need is right at the front door. You walk into the newsagent to get your papers and the first thing you hear is: ‘Hello Mark how are things going?’.”  

Mark has recently relocated his business to Goolwa and when he drives over the bridge in the afternoons that’s exactly where the business stays - in Goolwa.

“You just can’t go wrong, whether you’re looking for a great financial investment or a wonderful lifestyle, The Marina Hindmarsh Island is the perfect place to be.”

Frenchman Vincent Messageon’s dream of living on the waterfront began when he was a teenager, regularly sailing along the Mediterranean coastline of Southern France and around the island of Corsica, hoping one day to own a piece of Riviera real estate.

However, the four million plus Euro price tag of the villas meant that it was only a dream – until he discovered The Marina Hindmarsh Island on the other side of the world, that is.

“I always dreamed of owning a house with a swimming pool and a boat at the end of the land, but this was only a dream and is totally unrealisable in France,” says Vincent.

“After some internet search, we found a marina offering land with a pontoon only one hour’s drive from Adelaide. It was at The Marina Hindmarsh Island.”

Vincent jumped on a plane, took some photographs and videos of The Marina Hindmarsh Island and surrounding area and emailed them to his wife, purchasing a north-backing waterfront allotment on Britannia Parade on the eve of his departure.

He fell in love with The Marina Hindmarsh Island because of its stunning nature and wildlife, beautiful untouched beaches and its proximity to shops and services.

“When I saw the vegetated dunes across the barrages at Hindmarsh Island, and the naturally clean beaches nearby, it gave me a deep feeling of serenity and from that moment, I wanted to share this splendid environment with my family,” he said.

Vincent currently lives in the south of France close to Perpignan and Spain which he shares with his wife and two boys, and is liaising with architects and builders in Adelaide via the internet to create his sustainable dream home.

“We wanted a house with low energy consumption with photovoltaic panels, solar panels for hot water, Canadian well to recover the temperature underground, double glazing, good insulation to avoid the thermal bridges (even at the top of the garage) and we wish to recover rainwater to supply the WC, the washing machines, the garden and if possible the swimming pool.”

“We do not yet know if the house at Hindmarsh Island will be our main home or our residence for the weekend - that will depend on our work - but it is probable that we can work starting from Hindmarsh Island thanks to the internet.

“We also seek a framework of life where we can find a good school for our children and the private school of Investigator College at Goolwa would be a good option,” Vincent says.

When Phillip and Wendy Bennett were travelling around the Fleurieu Peninsula nine years ago, they accidently stumbled across The Marina Hindmarsh Island.

“We mistakenly found ourselves stuck in the ferry line going across to Hindmarsh Island - and it was the best mistake we ever made,” says Wendy.

The Birdswood couple purchased a two-storey waterfront property on Wentworth Parade which they happily enjoy using as a weekender.

“During our time at The Marina we have enjoyed the natural and infectious hospitality of the people that live and play on the Island. You can’t help but join in,” Wendy says.  

“There is never a shortage of things to do: boating, walking and driving along the stunning Goolwa beach, Coorong, fishing, doing the touristy things. There is great dining locally and along the coast, and Goolwa shopping for your weekend goodies is outstanding.”

Wendy and Phillip enjoy entertaining friends and family at their home and the region’s beauty has captivated their visitors from Canada, England, Egypt and America.

“We bring our international visitors and they cannot believe how lucky we are to be blessed with such a beautiful area,” Wendy says.

“There is nothing quite like the experience  of waking up laying in bed overlooking the water and watching the Pelicans float by fishing for their breakfast, and at the end of the day seeing the reflection of the lights on the water – it’s so pretty.”

Having enjoyed the relaxing Marina lifestyle for close to a decade now, Wendy has no problem recommending The Marina Hindmarsh Island as a beautiful place to visit and a great place to live.

“For those considering a weekender, if they want to be able to relax and feel like they have actually had a weekend they couldn’t choose a better spot in the world. For those considering a permanent home, I envy them.”