Katarapko – Murray River National Park
| Location | Katarapko, Murray River National Park |
| Start/End Point | Craggs Hut Walk trailhead, Katarapko SA |
| Distance | 2 km return |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Activity | Walking |
| Region | Riverland |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and houseboat options — See accommodation options |
| Facilities | Interpretive signs, lookout |
Walking Into the Riverland’s Pioneer Past
On the banks of Katarapko Creek, deep within the floodplain forests of the Murray River National Park, the remains of two pioneer families’ homes stand quietly among the black box woodland — their stone walls slowly returning to the earth while the river that sustained them continues to flow nearby. The Craggs Hut Walk is a 2-kilometre interpretive trail that leads visitors through these historic homestead sites, telling the story of the Craigie and Bland families who carved a life from this rich but demanding riverland landscape.
Murray River National Park protects more than 13,000 hectares of Murray River wetlands and floodplains across three separate areas: Katarapko near Berri and Glossop, Lyrup Flats at Lyrup, and Bulyong Island north of Renmark. The Katarapko section — where this walk is located — features black box-covered floodplains and wetlands alive with aquatic bird species, making it one of the most ecologically significant stretches of the Murray in South Australia.
The Walk
The Homestead Remains
The trail follows a well-marked interpretive route through riverside woodland, pausing at the remnants of the Craigie and Bland homesteads. Stone walls, scattered farm implements, and the outline of domestic gardens mark the sites where these families built their lives in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Craigie family’s story is particularly poignant — the trail visits the grave of Margaret Craigie, a reminder of the human cost of pioneer life in remote Australia.
Interpretive signs along the trail provide historical context, explaining how these families managed cattle, grew crops, and navigated the river’s unpredictable flooding cycles. The homesteads were positioned to take advantage of the floodplain’s fertility while maintaining access to higher ground during inundation — a balance that required intimate knowledge of the river’s rhythms.
The Lookout
The walk culminates at a lookout that gazes across the floodplain landscape that sustained these families. From this elevated point, you can see the distinctive patchwork of black box woodland, open grassland, and wetland that characterises the Katarapko floodplain. In the distance, the canopy of ancient river red gums marks the course of Katarapko Creek, while the seasonal wetlands below attract waterbirds in numbers that have made this area renowned among birdwatchers.
The Katarapko Environment
Katarapko Creek is one of the great natural assets of the Riverland region. Significant for canoe adventuring, the creek winds through floodplain forests that provide important habitat for native fish including Murray cod, golden perch, and silver perch. The Katfish Reach project — a community environmental rehabilitation initiative — has been working to restore the health of the Katarapko floodplain, re-establishing natural flooding regimes that support the wetland ecosystems on which so much biodiversity depends.
The birdlife is exceptional. Black box woodland and wetlands support species from pelicans and cormorants to kingfishers, parrots, and a rich array of smaller waterbirds. The nearby Ngak Indau walking trail provides additional opportunities for wetland birdwatching, and the combination of the two walks makes for a rewarding half-day visit.
Planning Your Walk
Katarapko is located near Berri and Glossop in the Riverland region, approximately 240 kilometres northeast of Adelaide. Access is via unsealed roads that may be affected by flooding — check conditions before visiting. Camping is available within the Katarapko area, and the Craggs Hut Walk makes an excellent addition to a canoe trip on Katarapko Creek. Bring water, insect repellent, and binoculars for birdwatching. The best visiting months are April to October, when temperatures are comfortable and birdlife is most active.
The Craggs Hut Walk is a gentle stroll through time — a 40-minute encounter with the pioneer families who once called this riverland home, set against the backdrop of one of the Murray’s most beautiful floodplain landscapes. The crumbling walls may be modest, but the stories they hold and the natural environment that surrounds them make this one of the Riverland’s most moving walking experiences.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Fleurieu Peninsula Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.