: The Coorong, an inland sea of shimmering, shallow lagoons running south from the Murray River, remains an untouched bastion of coastal wilderness.
A protected national park, the region is home to more than 200 nesting bird species and 275 plant species. Pelicans breed here in large numbers. Banded stilts, black swans, Australian shelducks, Pacific black and musk ducks and chestnut teals bob on the water and add to the early morning noise. Keen birdwatchers spend hours seeking the elusive rufous bristlebird and the exquisite firetail.
Those with a desire to experience Australia's indigenous culture head for Camp Coorong, an Aboriginal cultural centre where visitors can stay and learn about the lifestyle of Australia's first inhabitants. Camp Coorong is run by the Ngarrindjeri people to teach visitors about bush food, traditional life and Dreaming stories. Learn about the Ngarrindjeri people's relationship with land and their culture; view a midden site; watch the art of Ngarrindjeri basket-weaving and gain insights into the environment, animals, medicine and food plants of the Coorong.
Explore the Coorong on a day trip out of Goolwa with Spirit of the Coorong cruises, an award-winning experience that takes you to parts of the national park accessible only by boat. Expert guides will point out the myriad bird species and lead you over sand dunes to ancient Aboriginal sites.
