The sense of adventure and gentle pace make a Coorong kayaking tour in South Australia more memorable than a cruise from Goolwa.
Why book a Coorong kayaking tour – summarised
- The Mouth of the Murray and 90 Mile Beach are included.
- You can get closer to the pelicans and Coorong birdlife.
- There’s a sense of adventure.
- There’s time to observe the environment.
- The guide helps you understand what’s special about the Coorong.
To skip the review and explanation, you can book a Coorong kayaking tour here. Otherwise, read on…
One of my most memorable days travelling
I’ve been a professional travel journalist for over 20 years, and some days stand out as being particularly special. One of those days was the day I did Canoe the Coorong’s kayaking tour in South Australia.
The experience was magical. I still vividly remember the happy serenity of gliding along in the kayak near the mouth of the Murray River, watching pelicans land on the water.
What is the Coorong?
The Coorong is an area of South Australia where the Murray River enters a system of lakes, then a long natural lagoon. The Murray trickles out into the ocean near Goolwa, the main base used for exploring the Coorong.
The main attractions in Coorong National Park are the Mouth of the Murray, the lagoon and Australia’s longest beach along the Younghusband Peninsula.
The Coorong is not usually regarded as one of Australia’s tourist highlights, but it is gloriously enjoyable. But it is a place suited to quiet, slow exploration rather than hasty box-ticking.
How to explore the Coorong
The two main options for exploring the Coorong are a cruise and a kayak tour. I’ve done both, and enjoyed both. But while the cruise was worthwhile, the kayak tour is the one seared into my memory.
What to expect on a Cruise the Coorong tour
The Spirit of the Coorong’s half-day tour from Goolwa lasts around three-and-a-half hours and includes a bento box-style lunch.
The cruise goes through the locks of the Goolwa Barrage, and heads towards the Mouth of the Murray. On the way, there’s a chance to admire fur seals – they hang around the Barrage – and copious bird life.
The cruise continues along the lagoon and pulls over at the Younghusband Peninsula. From there, a guided walk heads over the dunes to 90 Mile Beach. There, guests are taught how to find pipis in the sand, shuffling their feet until the shellfish emerge.
As I say, it’s an enjoyable experience and worth doing. You can book here if planning to drive to Goolwa, or here if you want to include transportation from Adelaide.
What to expect on a Canoe the Coorong tour
Canoe the Coorong’s kayaking tour in Coorong National Park covers similar ground to the cruises. You still see the Mouth of the Murray, you still see lots of birdlife, you still walk over to 90 Mile Beach and shuffle in the sand for pipis.
The difference comes in the pace, sense of adventure and connection with the environment.
The Canoe the Coorong tour leaves from Hindmarsh Island, just over the bridge from Goolwa. It’s also unusually long for a kayak tour – six hours.
But that time is precious. While some occasional muscular paddling is required, far more time is spent drifting and watching. You can get far closer to the pelicans in a kayak than in a boat, and watching them take off, land and strut around the sand banks is wonderful.
The languid pace of the Coorong kayaking tour absolutely fits the setting. The slow-baking sun becomes calming, the still water of the lagoon has a mellowing effect.
There’s plenty of knowledge passed on by the guide, and the visit to the beach is a nice break from paddling. But the true joy of the tour is the opportunity to become one with a seductively special setting.
That’s why I’d advise choosing the Coorong kayak tour over the cruise. And I hope you find it as memorable as I did.
Coorong kayak tour price
At the time of writing, the Coorong kayaking tour costs $160 per person. It’s well worth the money. Bookings must be made in advance, and you can book online.
