Canunda National Park
| Location | Canunda National Park, 20 km SW of Millicent |
| Start/End Point | Coola Road, Manin car park |
| Distance | 6.92 km |
| Time | Approximately 1.75 hours |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Activity | Walking |
| Region | Limestone Coast |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Access | 2WD suitable via Lossie Road and Canunda Causeway |
Where Pastoral History Meets the Singing Forest
On the southern fringes of Canunda National Park, away from the dramatic cliffs and crashing surf of the northern coastline, the Coola Outstation Historical Hike tells a quieter story. This 7-kilometre walk leads through a landscape where the ruins of a 19th-century sheep station sit amid coastal vegetation, and a boardwalk crosses into a stand of dryland tea-tree so distinctive it has earned the nickname ‘the singing forest’ for the sound the wind makes as it passes through its dense canopy.
The walk’s centrepiece is the Coola Outstation itself — the remains of a remote stockmen’s quarters that served the historic Benara sheep station. Occupied until the mid-1950s, when the last stockmen and their families finally departed, the outstation is now a crumbling ruin that speaks eloquently of the hardship and isolation of pastoral life on the Limestone Coast. Scattered examples of early farm machinery along the trail add further context to this window into South Australia’s rural past.
The Walk
To the Coola Lookout
Starting from the Manin car park, the trail winds through coastal scrubland toward the Coola Lookout — a vantage point that provides panoramic views across the lake, sand dunes, and surrounding farmland. This elevated perspective reveals the broader landscape context of the park: the transition from agricultural land to coastal vegetation, and the network of lakes and wetlands that characterise this section of the Limestone Coast.
The Singing Forest
Across a boardwalk from the lookout, the trail enters an area of dryland tea-tree that creates one of the most atmospheric walking environments in the park. Known locally as the ‘singing forest,’ this dense stand of trees generates a distinctive musical hum when the wind passes through its tightly packed branches. The sound is subtle on calm days but extraordinary when the breeze picks up — a natural orchestra that gives the walk an almost otherworldly quality. Picnic facilities are available in this area, providing a sheltered spot to rest and listen.
The Outstation Ruins
The trail continues to the ruins of the Coola Outstation, where stone walls and scattered farm equipment mark the site of what was once a working part of the Benara pastoral enterprise. The isolation of this location — remote from any town, surrounded by scrubland and exposed to coastal weather — makes the story of the families who lived here all the more remarkable. For those wanting a shorter experience, a 2.2-kilometre option goes directly to the ruins and back from the car park.
Cultural Heritage
Long before the Benara sheep station, this landscape was home to the Boandik Peoples, who lived in temporary camps along the coast during summer and in more permanent huts near inland swamps for the rest of the year. Evidence of this occupation, stretching back over 10,000 years, can be found throughout Canunda National Park. The Coola Outstation walk thus traverses a landscape with two distinct layers of human history — one stretching back millennia, the other barely a century old.
Planning Your Walk
The Manin car park is accessible by 2WD vehicle via Lossie Road, Canunda Causeway, and Coola Road. Vehicle entry to the park is free, though camping fees apply at designated campgrounds. There are no facilities at the trailhead, so bring water, food, and sun protection. Mobile phone reception is patchy. The sheltered location makes this hike particularly pleasant in winter and spring, or on days when the coastal sections of the park are windswept. For those wanting to extend the walk, a 7.3-kilometre option continues to Sandy Bar on the shore of Lake Bonney.
The Coola Outstation Historical Hike weaves together the strands of natural beauty, pastoral history, and Indigenous heritage that define the Limestone Coast. From the panoramic views of the Coola Lookout to the haunting music of the singing forest and the evocative ruins of a vanished way of life, this walk delivers a richly layered experience that lingers in the memory long after the trail is done.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Limestone Coast Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.