Lock 4 Eckert Creek Loop Trail
A 14 km day loop — or a 25 km two-day adventure — through the scenic backwaters of Murray River National Park. Pass the sunken Ajax and Achilles barges, the dramatic Bookpurnong Cliffs, and the narrow winding channels of Eckert, Jarrett and Sawmill Creeks.
- Distance
- 14 km loop
- Difficulty
- Easy–Moderate
- From Adelaide
- 245 km north-east
The Lock 4 Eckert Creek Loop Trail is a versatile circuit through the Katarapko section of Murray River National Park, beginning and ending at the Lock 4 Boat Ramp on Nitschke Road near Berri. The day loop covers approximately 14 km through Ajax/Achilles Lakes, past the Bookpurnong Cliffs, and into Eckert, Jarrett and Sawmill Creeks before returning upstream via the Murray. An extended two-day version adds the Splash and Katarapko Creek for a 25 km adventure with overnight camping.
About This Trail
The Katarapko section of Murray River National Park is one of the Riverland’s most varied paddling environments — ranging from the open Murray River and the distinctive limestone Bookpurnong Cliffs, to narrow winding creek backwaters shaded by river red gums, and the wide still waters of Eckert Wide Waters. The trail passes through the Lock 4 section and Eckert’s Creek section of the park, which now form a connected precinct thanks to infrastructure works that also created the blocking bank road from Lock 4 to campsite 17.
Multiple portages are required on both the day and extended routes. Eckert Creek often has strong currents and Sawmill Creek is narrow with a strong flow and numerous fallen trees. Sawmill Creek is not navigable at low water levels. Plan portages into your timing and carry a good map — not all campsite numbers are visible from the water.
Paddle SA is the governing body of paddle sport and recreation in South Australia. It leads and supports paddling in South Australia and encourages the safe exploration of our waterways.
Paddling Trails South Australia has a range of trails to suit different abilities. Know your ability.
🌐 paddlesa.au →Launch Site & Route
The trail starts and finishes at the Lock 4 Boat Ramp on Nitschke Road, Bookpurnong via Berri. Parking is available at the launch point (gate secured after hours). Toilets, picnic area and free BBQs are on site at Lock 4.
| Site | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lock 4 Boat Ramp | Nitschke Road, Bookpurnong via Berri. GPS: 34.3416°S, 140.5772°E. Toilets, picnic area, free BBQs. Parking available (gate secured after hours). Ring Lockmaster before departure: (08) 8582 1388. |
Day Trip Route (~14 km loop)
- ▼ Lock 4 Boat Ramp — Launch (GPS: 34.3416°S, 140.5772°E) — Nitschke Road, Bookpurnong. Toilets, BBQs, picnic area. Ring Lockmaster (08) 8582 1388 before departing. Lock hours 8:00–11:30am and 1:00–4:30pm daily.
- A Ajax/Achilles Lakes Entrance (GPS: 34.3398°S, 140.5765°E) — Enter the creek on the right-hand side approximately 100m upstream from the boat ramp. Paddle north ~1.6 km through the lakes, passing the sunken barges Ajax and Achilles, to re-enter the Murray River.
- B Eckert Creek Entrance (GPS: 34.3152°S, 140.5859°E) — Enter Eckert Creek on the left-hand side of the Murray after approximately 4 km upstream from the Ajax/Achilles exit. Portage required around the regulator. Strong currents frequent in this creek.
- C Jarrett Creek Branch (GPS: 34.3192°S, 140.5762°E) — After ~1.25 km in Eckert Creek. Take the left-hand branch into Jarrett Creek. A culvert with road over it approximately 250m ahead — portage may be required. Continue 2.5 km to Eckert Wide Waters.
- D Log Crossing Regulator (GPS: 34.3361°S, 140.5472°E) — Day trip: enter Sawmill Creek on the left (hidden behind reeds). Extended trip: portage into the Splash. Sawmill Creek has strong flow, narrow channel and fallen trees — not navigable at low water.
- F Stone Weir (GPS: 34.3502°S, 140.5510°E) — Located on Katarapko Creek. The stone weir cannot usually be paddled over — portage required, best on the right-hand side when travelling downstream.
- G & H Sawmill Creek Regulators (Point G: 34.3462°S, 140.5510°E | Point H: 34.3446°S, 140.5516°E) — Point H is the Sawmill Creek regulator for the day trip return. Often open and paddleable — portage if not. After passing, re-enter the Murray River at the Katarapko Creek junction. Turn left and paddle ~3 km upstream to Lock 4.
- E Splash/Katarapko Junction — Extended Route Only (GPS: 34.3597°S, 140.5410°E) — The Splash enters Katarapko Creek here. Portage around the regulator, turn left into Katarapko Creek, and follow back to the Murray River.
From the boat ramp, travel upstream approximately 100 m and enter the creek on the right-hand side at Point A. This is the entrance to Ajax/Achilles Lakes — an attractive bypass to the river. Paddle approximately 1.6 km north, avoiding the branch to the right, and re-enter the Murray River after passing the sunken barges Ajax and Achilles in the next small lake.
Travel upstream on the Murray, passing the attractive Bookpurnong Cliffs (“Booky Cliffs”) on the right-hand side. Proceed a further 4 km and enter Eckert Creek on the left-hand side at Point B. Portage around the regulator at this point. Note: there are often strong currents in Eckert Creek.
Travel approximately 1.25 km along Eckert Creek to a branch at Point C. Take the left-hand branch into Jarrett Creek. After about 0.25 km you will pass a culvert with a road over it — portage around this culvert. Continue for a further 2.5 km to enter Eckert Wide Waters. Keep left, enter Eckert Creek, and continue for a further 1 km to the log crossing regulator at Point D.
Sawmill Creek is on the left-hand side just prior to the regulator at Point D — hidden behind a mass of reeds but accessible by kayak. The creek is quite narrow with a strong flow and numerous fallen trees. When water levels are low this creek is not navigable. Travel up Sawmill Creek for 1.5 km to the regulator at Point H. This regulator is often open and can be paddled through — if not, portage around it. You will soon re-enter the Murray River at the Katarapko Creek junction.
Turn left on the Murray River and travel approximately 3 km upstream back to Lock 4. Arrange your passage through Lock 4 in advance with the Lockmaster: (08) 8582 1388.
Murray River National Park — Katarapko
The Katarapko section of Murray River National Park sits just across the river from Berri, less than 250 km from Adelaide. The park protects river red gum forests, floodplain wetlands, and the winding creek systems of Eckert and Katarapko Creeks. It is divided into three connected sections: the Lock 4 Section, the Eckert’s Creek Section, and the Katarapko Section, which are now accessible from one another via the blocking bank road. There are 55 campsites within this section of the park, with fire rings; some sites have long-drop toilets. Campsite fees apply — book online via parks.sa.gov.au.
The Erwirung people are the Traditional Owners of these fertile Murray plains. Cultural sites throughout the park include burial sites, middens and canoe trees. The Ngak Indau Wetland Trail — accessible by foot from the car park off the Lock 4 road — winds around the Ngak Indau wetland past the Kevin Smith Bird Hide to the river and back. Katfish Reach is a community environmental rehabilitation project covering the Katarapko and Eckert Creek area.
Sunken Barges: Ajax and Achilles
Paddlers pass the remains of the sunken river barges Ajax and Achilles in the small lake at the northern end of the Ajax/Achilles bypass. These historic Murray riverboat vessels now rest on the lake bottom and are a notable landmark early in the trail. The bypass lake itself is named after both barges and forms a scenic and sheltered alternative to the main river channel.
Trail Gallery
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