Currency Creek - South Australia

Currency Creek is a small town located on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula about 6 km north of Goolwa. The Currency Creek area was initially explored by Charles Sturt in the late 1820s, with the area being officially named in 1837 after the whaling boat Currency Lass. The township was surveyed in the 'Currency Creek Special Survey' of 1840.

History
While exploring the Fleurieu Peninsula and Lake Alexandrina region and looking for other outlets to the sea, explorers Thomas Bewes Strangways, Young Bingham Hutchinson and party discovered the waterway in November 1837. Their bullock wagon was unable to proceed over the waterway and they decided to make the area their base for some time. They reported on the good grassland in the area and its potential for agriculture. The creek was named in honour of the whaling boat they used to explore the lake.

Wine industry
Currency Creek lends its name to a wine region that stretches from Port Elliot in the west, to Lake Alexandrina to the east, and includes Hindmarsh Island. The main grape varieties grown are Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Vineyards were first established in the area in 1969, with the region producing its first vintage in 1972.