Coorong National Park: Kayaking & Bush Tucker with Murray Mouth

Three hours on the water, then the Southern Ocean on foot

You paddle for three hours across the Coorong's shallow lagoons, stop to walk sand dunes and learn about native plants, and eat three meals without leaving the park. The guide handles navigation and interpretation while you stay in a group of ten or fewer. You're back by mid-afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayaking and bush tucker walk

• Depart from Mundoo Channel Drive
• Enjoy morning tea
• Kayak for three hours with stops
• Walk across sand dunes to Southern Ocean
• Take guided bush tucker walk
• Enjoy lunch and afternoon tea
• Learn about Coorong and Murray Mouth
• Conclude tour at Murray Mouth

The experience

The guide is ten minutes late picking you up at Mundoo Channel Drive, and you're already wondering if you've packed the right sunscreen. But then you realize there's no cell service out here, and that's actually the point. The Coorong National Park spreads out in front of you: shallow lagoons, salt marshes, the kind of quiet that makes you stop checking your phone. Your group is small, maybe six or seven people, which means the kayaks launch without the chaos of a bigger tour. The water is still enough that you can see straight down, and the guide points out the bird life without having to raise his voice.

The paddling itself is broken into chunks. You're not grinding through three hours in one go. It's maybe forty minutes, then a stop on a sandbank where the guide pulls out morning tea and explains what you're looking at. The Coorong works differently than most waterways. The guide talks about the salinity, the way the Murray River mouth feeds into it, why certain birds show up in certain seasons. You paddle again, and then you're off the water, walking across sand dunes toward the Southern Ocean. Your legs are grateful for it. The guide takes you on a bush tucker walk, pointing out plants that the Ngarrindjeri people have used for thousands of years. It's not a performance. He's just showing you what grows here and why it matters.

Lunch happens around midday, and it's real food, not trail mix. Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea. All included, which means you're not rationing snacks or stopping at a café. The guide asks about dietary requirements when you book, so if you need something specific, that's handled before you arrive. By the time you're back on the water for the final stretch toward the Murray Mouth, you've been there almost six hours, but it doesn't feel rushed. The tour wraps around 3pm, which gives you the afternoon back if you need it.

What’s included

Your day includes a professional guide, all kayak equipment and personal flotation devices, three hours of paddling with multiple stops, a walk across the sand dunes to the Southern Ocean, a guided bush tucker walk, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. National Park fees and GST are covered.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (15 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 85 years) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Canoe the Coorong

Is this one for you?This works well if you want a full day on the water without arranging your own transport, equipment, or meals: the fixed schedule and small group size mean you're paddling at a pace that lets you actually notice the landscape instead of rushing through it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much kayaking experience do I need?

You need to be comfortable floating in a PFD and know how to swim. The paddling is broken into short stretches with stops in between, so it's not continuous.

What's included in the meals?

Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea are all provided. Let the operator know about dietary requirements at least 48 hours before the tour.

What time does the tour start and finish?

Departure is 9am from Mundoo Channel Drive. The tour concludes around 3pm.

How many people are in the group?

Maximum of 10 people per booking. A minimum of 3 passengers is required for the tour to run.

Is there a weight limit for the kayaks?

Yes, kayaks are suited to people under 264 pounds (120kg).

What happens if the tour is cancelled?

If minimum numbers aren't met after confirmation, you'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

What should I bring?

Sunscreen, a hat, and water. The operator provides kayaks, PFDs, and all meals. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet.