Exploring the Coorong

Explore the Coorong on foot, on the water, or by vehicle and feel the exhilaration of being free to roam a vast open wilderness.

Surf-fish the deep gutters along the ocean shore and camp behind the foredunes. Collect mussels and dine beneath the stars. Fish the calm waters of the lagoon for the famous Coorong Mullet.

Sail the open expanses of the lakes or investigate the waterways and islands by kayak or canoe.

Explore on Foot

The Princess Highway runs along the eastern edge of the Coorong and the Lakes providing easy access by conventional vehicles to many of the scenic walks.

Walks range in duration from 20 minutes to an hour or so, return. These are along established trails with markers and interpretive signs.

The Nukan Kungun, "look and listen" in Ngarrindjeri, is a more extensive 2 day, 27km, one way hike which also incorporates some of the shorter walks. It traverses the dunes at 42 Mile Crossing over to the ocean beach. Campsites and other visitor facilities are available along the trail.

The scrub, dunes, limestone outcrops and islands provide habitat for a multitude of species of animals and birds. Grey kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, emus, sand dragons, swap harriers and even sea eagles may be seen on the various walks.

Pick up a copy of the Tattler for more details and individual maps of the walks. Copies are available at the locations listed in the Facilities section of this site.

Explore on the Water

The Coorong lagoon and the Lakes provide opportunities for all types of boating and sailing. In addition, there are some vantage points and scenic walks that can only be reached by water.

The lagoon extends as one continuous body of water for over 100 Km. The waters from Goolwa to Long Point are suitable for boats with a draught of within a metre. However, the lower portion from Long Point can only be explored by vessels that draw less than half a metre. Parts of the lagoon from Parnka Point to Salt Creek dry up completely during summer.

The freshwater lakes, Alexandrina and Albert, together cover 648 sq Km. The lakes, estuaries, lagoon, river mouth and ocean beach make up a unique wetland ecosystem. Together they provide a wide range of habitats from freshwater to hypersaline. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded, some rare and some endangered. The region is the breeding ground for many of them, the summer destination for huge numbers of migratory birds and an important drought refuge for others.

Often described as an inland sea, the waters provide a haven for salmon, bream, flounder and mullet. The Murray Mouth is one of the most popular spots for mulloway fishing. A total of sixty-five species of fish have been reported in the Coorong and Lakes.

Explore by Vehicle

Sealed roads and good tracks allow conventional vehicles access to all the major features around the Lakes and along the mainland side of the Coorong.

Ocean beach driving, surf fishing and wilderness camping on the beach are permitted. All weather, all year around, 4WD access to the beach is possible at 42 Mile Crossing. Tea Tree Crossing is generally only passable in late summer. A camping permit is essential and can be obtained from a number of outlets. See the Facilities section of this site.

It is important to note that the ocean beach from Tea Tree Crossing up to the Murray Mouth is closed to vehicles from 24 October to 24 December each year. This stretch is the breeding ground of the Hooded Plover.

Camping on the beach is allowed anywhere between the high and low watermark. Camping behind the foredune with a 4WD vehicle is restricted to designated campsites with entry points marked by a wooden post. Driving into the dunes is not permitted.