Paddling the Murray River, Katarapko Wetlands, and South Australia’s Waterways
| Activity | Canoeing & Kayaking |
| Trails Available | Dedicated paddling trails along the Murray River system |
| Difficulty Range | Easy to Intermediate |
| Regions | Murraylands, Riverland |
| Highlights | Katarapko Creek, Murray River, Coorong National Park |
Paddling Australia’s Greatest Waterway
Canoeing and kayaking in South Australia is centred on the Murray River — Australia’s greatest waterway, flowing 2,520 kilometres from the Australian Alps to the sea. In South Australia, the Murray passes through some of its most ecologically rich landscapes: river red gum forests, floodplain wetlands, ochre-coloured limestone cliffs, and quiet backwaters where pelicans, cormorants, and white-bellied sea eagles fish undisturbed. The state’s paddling opportunities range from gentle canoe trails through sheltered creek systems and wetlands to extended river journeys that follow the Murray through its most scenic stretches.
The Katarapko section of the Murray River National Park is the jewel of South Australian paddling — a network of creek channels, billabongs, and floodplain lagoons that wind through river red gum forest and black box woodland. Paddling here is peaceful, intimate, and immersive: the canoe allows access to sections of the floodplain that are unreachable on foot, and the quiet approach of a paddle means wildlife encounters are frequent and close. Beyond Katarapko, the broader Murray River offers longer paddling journeys between river towns, and the Coorong’s vast coastal lagoon system provides a completely different paddling experience — open water, coastal wetlands, and some of Australia’s most significant waterbird habitat.
Katarapko — Murray River National Park
Katarapko, within the Murray River National Park, provides South Australia’s finest paddling experience. The creek network that threads through the floodplain forest creates a natural canoe trail of extraordinary beauty — narrow channels overhung by river red gums, open billabongs reflecting the sky, and quiet stretches where the only sounds are birdsong and the dip of the paddle. The Ngak Indau Wetland Trail — accessible by foot or by canoe — explores the heart of this floodplain ecosystem. Paddlers can spend hours or days exploring the interconnected waterways, camping on the riverbank, and experiencing the Murray at its most peaceful.
• Ngak Indau Wetland Trail — Katarapko — Wetland trail accessible by canoe and on foot
• Craggs Hut Walk — Katarapko — Historic tracks near paddling access points
• Kai Kai Nature Trail — Katarapko — Interpretive trail through riverine habitats
Murray River Paddling
Beyond Katarapko, the Murray River itself offers extended paddling opportunities between the river towns of the Riverland and Murraylands. Sections between Renmark, Berri, Loxton, and Morgan pass through landscapes of limestone cliffs, irrigated orchards, and native riverbank vegetation. The river’s flow is generally gentle, making it suitable for paddlers of moderate experience, though awareness of river conditions, boat traffic, and weather is essential. Canoe and kayak hire is available at several river towns, and some operators offer guided paddling tours that include camping on the riverbank.
The Coorong
The Coorong National Park — the vast coastal lagoon system stretching 130 kilometres from the Murray Mouth southeast along the coast — offers a completely different paddling experience. Here, the canoe or kayak takes you across open lagoon waters, through narrow channels between sand dunes, and into the heart of one of Australia’s most significant wetland environments. The Coorong supports extraordinary birdlife, including pelicans, terns, and migratory shorebirds, and paddling through its waters provides an intimacy with this landscape that is impossible to achieve from the shore.
Safety on the Water
Paddling in South Australia requires preparation and awareness. Always wear a personal flotation device, check weather conditions and river levels before departure, and ensure someone knows your planned route and return time. On the Murray River, be aware of boat traffic, submerged objects, and changing conditions around locks and weirs. In the Coorong, tidal conditions and wind exposure can change rapidly. Canoe and kayak hire operators provide safety briefings and equipment, and guided tours are available for those new to paddling or unfamiliar with local conditions. Sunscreen, adequate water, and a dry bag for valuables are essential on any paddling trip.
Canoeing in South Australia is to experience the Murray River and its waterways from the most intimate perspective possible — at water level, at paddle pace, through the quiet channels and floodplain forests where the river reveals its richest ecology. Whether paddling the sheltered creeks of Katarapko, following the Murray between river towns, or crossing the open waters of the Coorong, the canoe takes you to the heart of landscapes that exist because of water, and that are best understood from the water itself.