Coorong National Park

Where is Coorong National Park?

Located about a 2 hour drive south-east of Adelaide, Coorong National Park protects a wetland of international importance. It is where Australia’s largest river system, the Murray-Darling flows out to the Southern Ocean and is home to over 200 species of birds as well as many migratory birds that arrive each summer.

When is the best time to visit?

The weather is mostly warm and dry during summer and autumn – it’s easy to travel on the roads, great for camping and perfect for beach lovers.

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One of my New Year resolutions is to be more "go with the flow". I am a planner – I have a plan that has a plan to plan (usually). But 2019 is going to be my year to stop being so in my head and focused on what's going to happen in the future and be more present, in the moment and spontaneous! ???? • • Unfortunately the wind came in as we were setting up camp last night and we needed to take refuge (or chance losing our awning) so the new 2019 spontaneous Dan booked us a room at the @waikerie_hotel WOW! Such incredibly nice genuine people to help us! You don't know how much you miss showering until you're not showering ???? ahhhhh blissssss • • Have you planned your resolution(s) yet? For the last 8 years Dean and I have written ours down separately and on December 31st we look at them and talk about our goals together. Most of our goals are very similar if not the same, but the important thing is we have written them down and keeping each other accountable. It's never too late to write them down! (Unless its December 30th ????) Currently reading the book Get Rich Lucky Bitch by @denisedt and I am manifesting some lucky shit to happen in 2019 ????

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What can I do at Coorong National Park?

Storm Boy for a day –  Follow in the footsteps of Storm Boy, Fingerbone and Mr Percival with the Storm Boy inspired Itinerary

Camping – Camping among the Pink Gum forests at Salt Creek from where you can visit the historical salt lakes and take the Ngrugie Ngoppun Walk.

Discover – Viewing the pelican breeding grounds from the Jack Point Observatory between August and February. Pelican Point and Mark Point are also great viewing spots for these majestic birds.

Cruise – Join a boat tour and cruising from Goolwa to the mouth of the Murray River and the Coorong.

Self guided History Tour – The Coorong holds great interest in relation to early European exploration of South Australia. The area was a major section of the overland stock route, mail coach route, migrant route and telegraph line route between Adelaide and Melbourne.

Enjoy a self-guided tour of some highlighted historic locations and enjoy the Coorong, the scenery and its abundant wildlife which amazed early European settlers. A map can be found here

Fishing – There is excellent surf fishing along the Coorong Ocean Beach. The steep beach offers good access to deep gutters along the shore where fish hunt for food. Between the Murray Mouth and Long Point are good spots for boat fishing – try casting a line in the lagoon for the famous Coorong Mullet and Mulloway.

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It was an absolute privilege to work on the retelling of an Australian classic #stormboy @finn_little_official is a truly talented actor and will go far in the industry..he was an absolute pleasure to work with. It was awesome to work with @jaicourtney again (the banter king). Please support the South Australian film industry and go see this film at the cinema #southaustralia #southaustralianfilmcorporation #assistantdirector #coorongnationalpark #mrpercival #screenaustralia #sonypicturesentertainment

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Things to leave at home ….

Furry Friends are only permitted in some areas of the park, Mountain bikes are NOT permitted

Attractions

Chinaman’s Well
A walk around the intricate stone well, associated quarries and eating house ruins provides an insight into the history of the area when the Chinese passed through the Coorong during the gold rush era.

Godfrey’s Landing
Accessible by boat from Goolwa and Hindmarsh Island, Godfrey’s Landing offers a fascinating walk through the sand dunes of the Younghusband Peninsula to the ocean beach near the Murray Mouth

Jack Point
Home of the largest breeding colony of the Australian Pelican, Jack’s Point Observatory allows visitors to observe numerous birds flying back and forth to visit and breed on the nearby islands. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Long Point
A jetty provides visitors with easy access to their boat to explore the Coorong. Long Point is also a great spot to go fishing as the sun sets over the Coorong lagoon on a calm evening.

Parnka Point
Parnka Point or ‘Hells Gate’ is the narrowest point between the northern and southern Coorong lagoon. It is noted for excellent views up and down the lagoon, and wading birds are commonly seen fossicking in the shallow and sheltered bays nearby.

Pelican Point
Pelican Point offers a great vantage point to see some of the wide variety of birdlife in the park. It is also where Lake Alexandrina enters the Coorong through the Tauwitchere barrage. There is no public access to the barrage.

Salt Creek
The longest walking trail in the Coorong (27km) starts at Salt Creek and extends south to the 42 Mile Crossing. This trail links four other interesting but shorter walks focusing on wildlife, scenery, sand dune systems and the early settlement of the Chinese. Designated camp sites are available along the nearby Loop Road.

42 Mile Crossing
42 Mile Crossing is the closest point for 2WD vehicles to access the beach. A pleasant 20 minute walk through the sand dunes along an easily accessible walking trail from the campground rewards you with the sight and sound of the endless Southern Ocean waves rolling onto the beach. To protect the breeding site of the hooded plover, access to the beach north of Tea Tree Crossing to the Murray Mouth is closed to vehicles from 24 October to 24 December each year.

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Anyone who is roadtripping between Melbourne and Adelaide should check out this campsite in Coorong National Park. Such an epic spot in the sand dunes right by the water. You do need a 4WD to get there and make sure to deflate your tyres as the sand is quite soft. This is also the spot where Remi lost our wedding ring which was also his grandfather's ???? He was washing his hands when the ring slipped off and fell into the sand. We spent hours digging and sifting the sand until we gave up and declared it lost. So if anyone heads this way and feels like a treasure hunt, a massive reward will be paid! We camped between the 32 and 42 mile crossing. ????Coorong National Park, South Australia – – – – – – – – #coorong #coorongnationalpark #southaustralia #travelaustraliawithkids #campsite #camping #campingaustralia #beachcamping #wikicamps #rooftoptent #vanlife #nationalpark #Australia #homeiswhereyouparkit #tawk

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