Coorong National Park

Coorong National Park protects a breathtaking 130 km stretch of coastal wetlands and dunes known as The Coorong, a place of great environmental and cultural significance. The park encompasses a long, shallow lagoon system shielded from the Southern Ocean by the Younghusband Peninsula – a narrow ribbon of wind-sculpted sand dunes. This creates a unique habitat of saltwater lagoons, samphire flats and ephemeral salt pans on one side, and wild ocean beach on the other. The Coorong is famous for its birdlife: it is a Ramsar-listed wetland that serves as a crucial refuge for migratory birds. Flocks of pelicans, Australian black swans, cormorants, terns, and numerous shorebirds feed in the rich shallows – the park inspired Colin Thiele’s classic novel Storm Boy, which depicted the friendship between a boy and a pelican on these very shores:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}. Birdwatchers will be in paradise here, especially during summer when migratory species like sandpipers and stilts arrive from as far as Siberia.

Beyond birdlife, the Coorong offers serene natural beauty and recreational activities. Visitors can kayak or boat on the sheltered lagoon waters, fish for mullet and mulloway, take 4WD adventures along the beach (accessible in designated areas), or camp under starry skies at secluded bush campsites. Popular short walks include the Ngrugie Ngoppun Trail at Jack Point, which leads to a bird hide overlooking a pelican breeding colony, and the Godfrey’s Landing boardwalk across the dunes to the ocean beach. The park is also rich in Aboriginal heritage: the Ngarrindjeri people maintain strong cultural connections to the Coorong, and you can see middens (shell heaps) and learn about Dreaming stories connected to these lands and waters.

Facilities: Coorong National Park is largely undeveloped and cherished for its wilderness vibe, but key visitor nodes provide facilities. At Salt Creek (about 200 km southeast of Adelaide on the Princes Hwy), the park headquarters and Salt Creek campground offer information, toilets, picnic shelters, BBQs and a short heritage trail. Several designated campgrounds exist along the Coorong Lagoon (Hells Gate, Loop Road, Parnka Point, 42 Mile Crossing, etc.), many with basic amenities like pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits. There are no playgrounds or shops within the park (the nearest services are in Meningie or Kingston SE), so visitors should come prepared with supplies and water. Entry to the park is free (no vehicle fee), but camping permits must be booked online or via self-registration stations. The park has both 2WD-accessible areas (e.g. Chinaman’s Well, Jack Point) and 4WD-only beach access (such as Tea Tree Crossing seasonally, and the ocean beach at 42 Mile Crossing).

Access: The Coorong stretches from the Murray Mouth (near Goolwa) to Salt Creek along the Limestone Coast. Main entry points are via the Princes Highway which runs parallel to the Coorong lagoon. From Adelaide, it’s roughly a 2-hour drive to Meningie, the gateway town on Lake Albert, and another 30 minutes to 42 Mile Crossing or 1 hour to Salt Creek. Many visitors explore the Coorong by driving the loop road at Parnka Point (Hacks Point) which separates the North and South Lagoons – here you can enjoy panoramic views of water on both sides. Canoeists can launch at several points (such as Pelican Point) to paddle the tranquil waters.

Whether you’re birdwatching at dawn amid the calls of waterfowl, fishing at sunset with the surf roaring beyond the dunes, or simply soaking in the solitude of the salt-laced air, Coorong National Park offers a truly magical coastal wilderness experience.