The Coorong National Park is a unique protected wetland area in South Australia, known for its coastal lagoons, rich biodiversity, and cultural significance. It offers exceptional birdwatching, fishing, and quiet nature exploration along its sandy shores and saltwater channels.
The Coorong National Park stretches along the southeastern coastline of South Australia, encompassing a narrow lagoon system separated from the Southern Ocean by a sandy barrier. This expansive wetland area covers more than 160,000 acres of coastal and marine habitat. The park is internationally recognized for its ecological importance, especially as a breeding and migratory stopover for hundreds of bird species, including rare and endangered waterfowl. The landscape features shallow lagoons, beaches, mudflats, salt flats, and mallee scrub, providing critical habitats for fish, crustaceans, and native plant communities. The Coorong is deeply significant to the Ngarrindjeri people, the area's Traditional Owners, with cultural sites and stories tied to the land and waters. Visitors can experience peaceful hiking trails, birdwatching platforms, and boating or fishing opportunities along the lagoons. The park includes locations such as the Murray Mouth, where the mighty river meets the sea, and the community of Salt Creek, a gateway to exploring nearby beaches and the Coorong’s natural features. Recreational activities emphasize low-impact enjoyment, with bird photography, kayaking through tidal channels, and guided cultural tours often highlighted. Its remoteness and shifting sand dunes reflect the dynamic coastal processes shaping the park. The Coorong is a vital refuge for wildlife and a place of natural beauty, attracting nature lovers, anglers, and those interested in Indigenous heritage.
The Murray Mouth where the Murray River meets the Southern Ocean
Internationally Important Wetlands for migratory birds
Salt Creek Heritage and Interpretative Centre that tells Ngarrindjeri stories
Kayak and canoe routes through the sheltered Coorong lagoons
A dynamic estuarine area where the freshwater Murray River transitions into the saline Southern Ocean, critical for fish migration and bird habitats.
A sheltered waterbody within the park, known for large colonies of Australian Pelicans and other waterbirds.
A long, narrow sand dune barrier separating the Coorong lagoons from the ocean, featuring pristine beaches and unique dune landscapes.