National park · Australia
The Coorong National Park
Enter for free and drive the 42 Mile Crossing loop: walk the 20-minute track to the ocean beach, or paddle the lagoon from Hindmarsh Island in autumn or spring; skip the Murray Mouth for swimming, the current there kills.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
490 km² (189 sq mi)189 sq mi (490 km²)
approximate
Established
1966
Best months
Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 490 km² (189 sq mi)189 sq mi (490 km²)
- Park boundary figures vary by source; the reserve runs roughly 130 km along the coast from the Murray Mouth to near Kingston SE (check).
- Established
- 1966
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Adelaide
The Coorong National Park protects a narrow lagoon-and-dune system where the Murray River meets the Southern Ocean, running roughly 130 km southeast from the Murray Mouth toward Kingston SE. The lagoon is one of Australia's most important waterbird wetlands, a Ramsar site known for pelican breeding and migratory shorebirds, and it is Ngarrindjeri country. Entry is free, access is by car only, and the park's signature experience is a short walk over the dunes to one of the world's longest beaches — or a multi-day kayak south of Parnka Point, where the water shallows and powered boats can no longer follow. The Murray Mouth itself is not a swimming spot; the current and undertow are dangerous.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetland · 1985Listed as a wetland of international importance; the lagoon system is the core of the listing.
Size and age
490 km² (189 sq mi)189 sq mi (490 km²) · national park since 1966
Park boundary figures vary by source; the reserve runs roughly 130 km along the coast from the Murray Mouth to near Kingston SE (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Adelaide.
Why go
- One of the longest continuous beaches in the world, running about 198 km (123 mi) along the Southern Ocean side.One of the longest continuous beaches in the world, running about 123 mi (198 km) along the Southern Ocean side.
- A lagoon-and-dune system that is one of Australia's most important waterbird wetlands, with pelican breeding grounds.
- Ngarrindjeri country: guided bush tours explain origin stories and thousands of years of life on this land.
- Free to enter and easy to reach from Adelaide as a long day or an overnight stop on the way to the Limestone Coast.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanMid-summer heat; lagoon shallows bake, flies heavy
- FebHot and dry; go early morning only
- MarAutumn calm; good paddling and birding
- AprMild days, light winds, best all-round month
- MayCool and clear; fewer people
- JunCold, wet and windy; short daylight
- JulMid-winter wind and rain; beach walking bracing
- AugWetland bird numbers build; still cold
- SepSpring paddling window opens; wildflowers on dunes
- OctWarm, settled; strong bird activity
- NovWarm and dry; summer crowds not yet in
- DecHot spells; holiday traffic on the Princes Highway
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelicans and breeding waterbird coloniesAug–Feb · The lagoon is known for pelican breeding; keep distance from nesting areas. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Migratory shorebirds (sandpipers, stints, stilts, avocets)Sep–Mar · Numbers have declined as freshwater inflows have fallen. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Chestnut teal and Australian shelduckMar–Oct · Common on the lagoon through the cooler months. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Threatened species recorded here (orange-bellied parrot, fairy tern, hooded plover)All year · Sightings are rare and have fallen with reduced freshwater flows; do not approach nests on the beach. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Adelaide
Drive the Princes Highway south to Goolwa, then follow signs to the park; about 90 minutes to the northern end.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Goolwa
Short drive to the northern park boundary and Hindmarsh Island lookouts.
15–25 min
From Kingston SE
Approach the southern end of the park from the Limestone Coast side.
2.5–3 h from Adelaide
Open the page →
From Murray and Mallee Riverland
Combine the Coorong with the river country to the north on a longer loop.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Murray Mouth and Hindmarsh Island | The river mouth, lookouts and the northern lagoon entrance. | Open; drive to Sugars Avenue lookouts. |
| 42 Mile Crossing | The main crossing point between lagoon and ocean beach, with a small campground. | Unsealed road; walk or 4WD to the beach. |
| Parnka Point and south | Shallower lagoon water where powered boats struggle; the start of the long paddle country. | Open; kayak or 4WD access. |
| Ocean beach | The long Southern Ocean surf beach along the dune line. | 4WD and walking access; swimming is dangerous. |
Sketch map
- 1Murray Mouth lookout · Viewpoint≈-35.550, 138.883On Hindmarsh Island; approximate.Map ↗
- 2Goolwa · Town≈-35.502, 138.782Northern gateway town; approximate.Map ↗
- 342 Mile Crossing · Trail≈-36.049, 139.554Main lagoon-to-beach crossing; coordinates are the park reference point, approximate.Map ↗
- 4Parnka Point · Viewpoint≈-36.217, 139.633Where the lagoon shallows; approximate.Map ↗
- 5Kingston SE · Town≈-36.828, 139.852Southern gateway town; approximate.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate, taken from the park reference point and nearby towns, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (vehicle and passengers) | Free | vehicle | No entry fee for this park; some South Australian parks charge a vehicle fee, so confirm current status before you go (check). |
| Camping at 42 Mile Crossing and other park campsites | AUD 0–20 (≈ US$0–14) | night | 2026 estimate; some sites are free, others need a booked permit — check the parks authority before travelling. |
| Commercial kayak day tour from Goolwa or Hindmarsh Island | AUD 120–250 (≈ US$80–170) | person | 2026 estimate; multi-day paddles south of Parnka Point cost more. |
| Ngarrindjeri guided bush tour | AUD 50–150 (≈ US$35–100) | person | 2026 estimate; book ahead, departures are irregular. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
4WD beach and dune driving permit or guide
Commercial tours no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$120–250≈ US$80–170
- A$50–150≈ US$35–100
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia — Coorong National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Fishing limits
- Size and bag limits inside the Coorong are stricter than the rest of South Australia; check current rules before you fish.
- Swimming
- Do not swim at the Murray Mouth; the current and undertow are dangerous. The ocean beach has strong surf and no lifeguards.
- Camping
- Camp only at designated sites and book ahead where required; no camping on the dunes or beach.
- 4WD access
- Beach and dune driving needs a permit and is closed in some seasons; check locally before you drive.
- Wildlife
- Keep well back from nesting pelicans and shorebirds, and keep dogs out of the park.
Where to stay
In the park
42 Mile Crossing campground
Small unsealed-access campground near the crossing; basic facilities, book ahead.
Near the park
Hindmarsh Island and Goolwa
Caravan parks, motels and holiday rentals at the northern end of the park.
Near the park
Kingston SE and the Limestone Coast
Town accommodation at the southern end, useful on a longer coastal drive.
Safety
Murray Mouth current and undertow high
Ocean beach surf high
Heat in summer medium
Remote roads and no phone signal medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Murray Mouth lookout on Hindmarsh Island is reachable by car with a short walk.
- The 42 Mile Crossing beach path is sandy and uneven; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Kayak tours can be adapted for some needs; ask operators in advance.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks; dune vegetation is fragile and holds the whole system together.
- Keep distance from pelican and shorebird nesting areas, especially in spring and summer.
- Take all rubbish out; there are few bins and no regular collection in remote sections.
- Support Ngarrindjeri-owned tours so the park's cultural story stays with its traditional owners.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter The Coorong?
There is no entry fee for The Coorong National Park. Some South Australian parks charge a per-vehicle fee, so check the parks authority site before you travel. Camping may be free at some sites and paid at others, and commercial kayak tours from Goolwa run about A$120–250 per person (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in The Coorong?
The easiest is the 42 Mile Crossing walk: an unsealed road to a small campground, then about 20 minutes on sand to the ocean beach. Longer options are the lagoon kayak routes, including two- to three-day paddles south of Parnka Point, and guided Ngarrindjeri bush walks that cover the cultural landscape.
When is the best time to visit The Coorong?
Autumn (March–May) and spring (September–November) are the best windows: mild temperatures, lighter winds and strong bird activity. Mid-summer is too hot for paddling and mid-winter is cold and windy. Spring and summer are also when pelicans and shorebirds nest, so keep your distance.
Can you swim at The Coorong?
Not at the Murray Mouth, where the current and undertow are dangerous. The ocean beach has strong, unpatrolled surf. The lagoon is shallow and calmer, but it is better suited to kayaking than swimming.
How do you get to The Coorong?
By car only. From Adelaide, drive the Princes Highway south to Goolwa for the northern end, about 1.5–2 hours. The southern end is reached from Kingston SE on the Limestone Coast. There is no public transport into the park.
Do you need a permit to camp or drive on the beach?
Camping needs a booking at most sites, and 4WD beach and dune driving requires a permit with seasonal closures. Check with the South Australian parks authority before you go, as there is often no phone signal in the park.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go