Chowilla Island Loop Trail

A 2–3 day loop through the backwaters of Pipeclay, Monoman and Chowilla Creeks within one of Australia’s most significant RAMSAR-listed wetlands — passing through Lock 6 and deep into the Chowilla Game Reserve.

34.0137°S 140.8895°E · near Paringa

Distance: 38 km approx.
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
From Adelaide: 265 km north-east

The Chowilla Island Loop is one of South Australia’s great multi-day paddling adventures — a 38 km circuit through the ancient red gum forests and quiet creek backwaters of Chowilla Game Reserve. Starting and finishing at the Lock 6 Boat Ramp near Paringa, the trail passes through Lock 6 itself and winds through Pipeclay, Chowilla, Monoman and Boat Creeks before returning upstream along the Murray River.

About This Trail

Chowilla Game Reserve protects over 18,000 hectares of floodplain and wetland on the north bank of the Murray River, straddling the SA–NSW border between Renmark and Wentworth. It is one of the largest remaining natural river red gum forests in the lower Murray, and one of six ‘The Living Murray’ icon sites in the Murray–Darling Basin. The reserve is a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance and an integral part of the Riverland Biosphere Reserve.

This loop trail is suited to paddlers with basic experience who are confident on open river and slow-flowing creek water. Navigation is important — the creek system has multiple junctions and regulators that affect water levels, and GPS waypoints should be noted before departure. The lock passage through Lock 6 requires coordination with the lock attendant and specific signalling protocols.

⚠️ Critical Cautions — Read Before Departing- A Trip Intention Form must be lodged with National Parks before departure.
- Campsites must be booked in advance at parks.sa.gov.au. Mobile coverage is unreliable — book before leaving Murtho Road.
- Satellite phone recommended — Telstra Blue Tick coverage is unreliable throughout the reserve, especially in low-lying areas.
- Firewood must be carried in — collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited.
- National Parks will close Chowilla during high river levels when navigation becomes confused and campsites become inundated.
- The Chowilla Regulator may be closed August–early December. If so, portage around it.
- Check Natural Resources SA weekly ‘The Drift’ newsletter for current flow and regulator conditions before departing.

About Paddle SA

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Launch Site & Route

The trail starts and finishes at the Lock 6 Boat Ramp on Lock 6 Road, off Murtho Road near Paringa. This is a loop trail — all navigation below uses right (R) and left (L) relative to the direction of travel.

Site	Location	Notes
Lock 6 Boat Ramp	Directions	Lock 6 Road, off Murtho Rd, Paringa. GPS: 34.0137°S, 140.8895°E. Parking, toilets and a rubbish skip on site. Book your Lock 6 passage in advance: (08) 8595 8025. Lock hours: 8:00–11:30am and 1:00–4:30pm, 7 days except Christmas Day.

Route Description

Day 1 — Lock 6 to Pipeclay Creek: Launch from the Lock 6 Boat Ramp and paddle approximately 4 km upstream through Lock 6 (see Passing Through Lock 6 below), then continue to the Isle of Man (approx. 13 km). Take the second opening into the oxbow lake around the isle at Point T (GPS: 33.9657°S, 140.9340°E) — the lower entrance is usually blocked by reeds. After about 1 km, turn right into Pipeclay Creek at Point V (GPS: 33.9599°S, 140.9283°E). You will need to portage around the weir at Pipeclay Creek. Note: if the regulator is running strong and there are obstacles, portage to a safer point downstream. Continue approximately 3.7 km downstream along Pipeclay Creek to the junction with Chowilla Creek. A short first day allows time for arrival and setup.
Day 2 — Chowilla Creek loop via Monoman Creek (approx. 15–20 km): At Point E (GPS: 33.9348°S, 140.9172°E) turn left into Chowilla Creek. Paddle approximately 2.5 km to the junction with Monoman Creek at Point D (GPS: 33.9532°S, 140.8987°E). Designated National Parks campsites are located along Monoman Creek if camping overnight. Continue along Chowilla Creek, passing Boat Creek on the left at Point C (GPS: 33.9605°S, 140.8946°E). Continue past a bridge approximately 2 km from Boat Creek until Monoman Creek rejoins Chowilla Creek at Point B (GPS: 33.9814°S, 140.8624°E).
Day 3 — Chowilla Regulator to Murray and return (approx. 8–10 km): Continue approximately 3 km along Chowilla Creek to the Chowilla Regulator (closed August–early December — portage if needed). After another 1 km paddling you will reach the Murray River at Point A (GPS: 34.0132°S, 140.8585°E). Turn left and paddle upstream approximately 4 km back to the Lock 6 Boat Ramp.

🔒 Passing Through Lock 6When approaching Lock 6, give 3 prolonged blasts of 4 seconds each using a whistle or horn. Phone coverage is unreliable near the lock — use audible signals only. A red flashing light on the control box indicates the attendant has acknowledged and is preparing the chamber. Do not approach within 150m until a green flashing light gives the all-clear. Once inside, do not tie up your craft — hold onto a ladder while the water level changes. Phone ahead if possible: (08) 8595 8025.

GPS Waypoints

▼ Lock 6 Boat Ramp — Start/Finish (GPS: 34.0137°S, 140.8895°E) — Launch point on the Murray River. Parking, toilets, rubbish skip on site. Book lock passage and campsite before leaving mobile range on Murtho Road.
T Isle of Man — second oxbow opening (GPS: 33.9657°S, 140.9340°E) — Upstream of Lock 6. Take the second opening into the oxbow lake around the Isle of Man; the lower entrance is usually blocked by reeds.
V Junction: Isle of Man & Pipeclay Creek (GPS: 33.9599°S, 140.9283°E) — Turn right here into Pipeclay Creek about 1 km after entering the oxbow at Point T. A weir must be portaged shortly after this point.
E Junction: Pipeclay & Chowilla Creek (GPS: 33.9348°S, 140.9172°E) — After approximately 3.7 km down Pipeclay Creek. Turn left (west) here into Chowilla Creek to begin the main loop.
D Junction: Chowilla & Monoman Creek (GPS: 33.9532°S, 140.8987°E) — Approximately 2.5 km into Chowilla Creek. Designated National Parks campsites are located along Monoman Creek. Turn right for overnight camping, or continue along Chowilla Creek.
C Junction: Boat Creek & Chowilla Creek (GPS: 33.9605°S, 140.8946°E) — Boat Creek on the left. Continue along Chowilla Creek. A bridge is approximately 2 km further downstream.
B Junction: Monoman Creek rejoins Chowilla Creek (GPS: 33.9814°S, 140.8624°E) — Monoman Creek rejoins Chowilla Creek here, completing the Monoman Island loop. Continue south-west along Chowilla Creek toward the regulator.
A Junction: Chowilla Creek & Murray River (GPS: 34.0132°S, 140.8585°E) — Chowilla Creek meets the Murray River. Turn left (east/upstream) and paddle approximately 4 km back to the Lock 6 Boat Ramp.

Chowilla Game Reserve & Environment

Chowilla Game Reserve is the largest remaining natural river red gum forest in the lower Murray and contains some of the most significant wetland habitat in Australia. Proclaimed in 1993, it is classified as an IUCN Category VI protected area and is one of six ‘The Living Murray’ icon sites in the Murray–Darling Basin. Regulators allow the area to be flooded in cycles that mimic natural river behaviour before the locks were installed in the 1920s–1930s.

The reserve’s great stands of river red gum and hardy black box woodland provide habitat for a diverse range of wildlife. Chowilla is an important refuge for waterbird populations, and birdwatching from the water is exceptional — expect cormorants, herons, pelicans, whistling kites, egrets, spoonbills, and dozens of other species along the creek banks. Callop (golden perch) and yabbies can be found in the waterways. The reserve stretches along 46 km of river frontage.

📌 Camping in ChowillaOver 30 creekside campsites are spread throughout the reserve. All campsites must be booked in advance at parks.sa.gov.au — book while you still have mobile range, before entering Murtho Road. Toilets are near Little Gums campsite and at the Border Cliffs campground. Dogs are permitted in designated areas on a lead of no more than 2 metres. No firewood collection — carry all firewood in. Campfires are subject to seasonal fire restrictions.

Safety & Weather

Chowilla is genuinely remote. Mobile coverage is patchy and unreliable throughout the reserve, particularly in low-lying areas. A satellite phone is strongly recommended. Always lodge a Trip Intention Form with National Parks before departure, and subscribe to the Natural Resources SA Murray–Darling Basin weekly ‘The Drift’ newsletter for current regulator and flow information.

The park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger. It may also close during high rainfall or flood events when campsites become inundated and navigation becomes confused. Contact the National Parks Riverland and Murraylands Regional Office at (08) 8595 2111 or after-hours duty officer 0417 192 335 if unsure of current conditions. The nearest hospital with emergency services is Renmark Paringa District Hospital, approximately 50 km away via Murtho Road.