Coorong National Park

Stretching 130 kilometres along the coast of South Australia, Coorong National Park is a hauntingly beautiful landscape of lagoons, sand dunes and salt pans. This vast, waterbird-filled wilderness feels a world away from the tourist trail, offering a raw, elemental encounter with the Australian outdoors. The Ngarrindjeri people are the traditional custodians, and their deep connection to this ‘land of the long waterhole’ adds a rich cultural layer to any visit.

Highlights & What to See

• Pelican feeding at the Murray Mouth – Watch dozens of pelicans jostle for fish at the point where the Murray River meets the Southern Ocean, a mesmerising daily spectacle.
• Younghusband Peninsula – Take a 4WD tour along this immense, unbroken sand dune system that separates the Coorong from the ocean; the shifting shapes and colours are otherworldly.
• Birdwatching on the Coorong Lagoon – The park is a Ramsar-listed wetland and a haven for migratory birds. Bring binoculars to spot black swans, pelicans, oystercatchers and the rare orange-bellied parrot.
• Ngarrindjeri cultural experiences – Join a guided walk or talk with a local Aboriginal guide to learn about bush tucker, traditional fishing techniques and the Dreamtime stories that shape this land.
• Salt Creek and the Coorong National Park Visitor Centre – A good first stop for maps and advice, with displays on the park’s ecology and Indigenous heritage.

Suggested Time to Spend

To fully appreciate the Coorong’s scale and serenity, plan for at least a full day. If you’re driving the Princes Highway between Adelaide and Melbourne, it makes a compelling overnight stop. A self-drive loop from Meningie or Salt Creek allows you to explore the northern lagoons in the morning, enjoy a picnic lunch, then head south for a late-afternoon 4WD beach adventure. Two days gives you time for a guided boat trip on the lagoon and a sunrise walk on the dunes.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Kings Canyon – A spectacular desert canyon in the Northern Territory, a world away in landscape but a classic Aussie outback experience that pairs well with the Coorong’s coastal beauty on a longer road trip.
• Meningie – A small lakeside town on Lake Albert, perfect for a coffee stop and a stroll along the foreshore before entering the park.
• Murray River Lakes and Coorong region – Explore the historic river towns of Goolwa, Victor Harbor and Port Elliot, with their bluestone buildings, whale-watching and fresh local seafood.
• Limestone Coast – Head south to the volcanic landscapes of Mount Gambier, the Coonawarra wine region and the stunning Naracoorte Caves, all within a few hours’ drive.

Please check official sources for current details.