Willunga is a town located to the south of Adelaide, South Australia in the City of Onkaparinga local government area, 47 km from the Adelaide city centre. This town has been considered a suburb of the Adelaide metropolitan area, and it is located within the McLaren Vale wine-growing region. In the 2016 census, Willunga recorded a population of 2,308. Willunga is connected to the town of McLaren Vale by a cycle path running along a former railway line and is nearby to the beaches of Aldinga Bay. Multiple festivals are hosted in Willunga, including the start and finish of the fourth leg of the Tour Down Under, the Fleurieu Folk Festival, the Almond Blossom Festival, and the Willunga Christmas Tree Festival. History Historically, Willunga is well known for its slate industry, which began in 1840 when a farmer named Edward Loud found slate on his property and later that year opened the first slate quarry. The name Willunga derives from the Aboriginal word 'willangga' meaning, 'the locality of green trees'. Willunga Post Office opened on 14 July 1839. Commerce Being one of South Australia's earliest towns, Willunga is a small country town which attracts many visitors. Businesses in Willunga include coffee shops, eateries, a post office, a general store, three hotels, and one fuel station. There are four churches, including an Anglican, a Catholic, a Uniting, and a Pentecostal church. Tourism Willunga has an eighteen-hole golf course with a restaurant open to the public. On the same property is the Willunga Bowling Club and the Waverley Homestead, home of a community arts organisation called STARS. Most of Willunga's large events are held on the Willunga-owned Recreation Park, located near the town square. The Willunga National Trust, opens its old courthouse and slate museums on weekends and Tuesdays. Its grounds accommodate various events including weddings. Willunga hosts a leg of the Tour Down Under cycle race (including King of the Mountain) every summer. Other attractions are the Willunga Farmers' Market (which won Best Farmers' Market in Australia 2008) held every Saturday morning; the Willunga Quarry Market, Willunga Artisans' Market and CWA Teas, Cake & Crafts all held second Saturday of each month; and the Willunga Lions Auction usually held the last Saturday of each month except December. The Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally is held annually near Willunga. Media Tribe FM 91.1 is an Australian community radio station which broadcasts from Willunga.