Paiwalla Wetland Trail
A 10 km loop from Mypolonga — paddling upstream on the Murray River before winding through a remarkable community-restored wetland, ancient fossil cliffs, and reed-fringed lagoons. Allow half a day.
- Distance
- 10 km loop
- Difficulty
- Easy – Moderate
- Trail type
- Loop
- From Adelaide
- 84 km south-east
The Paiwalla Wetland Trail is one of the most unique paddling experiences on the Lower Murray — a 10 km loop that combines a gentle upstream paddle on the river with an intimate exploration of a community-restored wetland, ancient sandstone cliffs embedded with marine fossils, and a maze of reed-fringed lagoons. The trail is guided by a numbered marker system through the Paiwalla North Wetland and the adjoining Sunnyside Reserve, making it equally suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers.
About This Trail
The trail begins at the Hill Road boat ramp, Mypolonga, and heads upstream on the Murray River for approximately 5 km. The wetlands open on the eastern bank, announced by a large dead Red Gum — the cue to leave the main channel and navigate toward the old farmhouse to enter the Paiwalla North Wetland. From here, a numbered marker system guides paddlers through two distinct wetland reserves before returning to the Murray for a short downstream run back to the launch point.
The Paiwalla Wetland is privately owned and managed by the Wetland Habitats Trust — a dedicated volunteer group that has spent decades restoring this remarkable landscape from a former dairy farm back into functioning wetland habitat. The site is listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands of Australia and is home to rare and nationally threatened species.
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 launches from the Hill Road boat ramp, Mypolonga. Toilets and a picnic area are available at the nearby Paiwalla Reserve. Car parking is available at the launch point. Mypolonga is located approximately 84 km from Adelaide via Murray Bridge.
| Site | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hill Road Boat Ramp | Hill Road, Mypolonga SA 5254. GPS: 35.0482 S; 139.3625 E. Parking at launch. Toilets and picnic area at Paiwalla Reserve nearby. |
Route Description
From the Hill Road boat ramp, paddle upstream (right) along the Murray River for approximately 5 km. The wetland entrance is on the eastern bank. Watch for a large dead Red Gum on the eastern side of the main channel — then navigate toward the old farmhouse on the eastern bank to enter the Paiwalla North Wetland (GPS: 35.0974 S; 139.2956 E approximate).
Marker 1 is attached to an old fence post approximately 100 m from the main river channel. Marker 2 has a red buoy and marks a narrow channel entrance — paddle downstream adjacent to the river bank from here.
The route passes through a series of small lagoons and clumps of reeds. Inshore from Marker 12 there is an open area on the bank marked as a ‘landing’ on the map — a suitable spot to take a break. Note these areas are for short day visits only; camping is not permitted.
From Marker 14, use the pump shed on the embankment as a directional guide back toward the main river channel. An unmarked section of the trail follows the river bank downstream for approximately 1 km, passing a large sluice gate that controls water flow to the main wetland. Marker 15 marks the entrance to Sunnyside Reserve.
The route meanders downstream through a series of lagoons within Sunnyside Reserve. Observe any current park rules and restrictions in force.
At Marker 21, re-enter the main Murray River channel and paddle downstream (right) to return to the Hill Road boat ramp, Mypolonga.
Wildlife & Environment
The Paiwalla Wetland is one of the most significant bird habitats on the Lower Murray. Since restoration work began in the late 1990s, 174 species of birds have been recorded at the site. The shallow, managed wetland provides ideal foraging and nesting conditions for waterbirds year-round, with the depth actively managed to maximise food availability.
On the water, paddlers can expect to encounter whistling kites soaring above the reed beds, grey-faced herons stalking the shallows, and peregrine falcons hunting from the limestone cliffs above. Pelicans, spoonbills, and a rich diversity of duck species are commonly seen throughout the lagoon system. Monarch butterflies flit through the reed fringes in season, and the calls of waterbirds echo across the open water.
Carp exclusion screens fitted over the inlet regulators prevent European carp from entering the wetland from the river — a critical measure protecting the water quality and native aquatic life within the lagoon system. Do not disturb these structures.
Ancient Geology
One of the most striking features of the Paiwalla Wetland is the ancient sandstone cliff faces that tower over parts of the wetland. These cliffs are part of the Mannum Formation — geological layers laid down when the region lay beneath a shallow sea between five and ten million years ago.
As sea levels fell during the Miocene epoch, these formations were exposed and subsequently eroded into the dramatic cliff faces visible today. Embedded in the rock are large deposits of fossilised sea urchins ( Lovenia forbesi) — marine creatures that lived on the sea floor up to 23 million years ago, preserved in the limestone over geological time.
The name Mypolonga itself reflects this remarkable landscape — derived from an Aboriginal expression meaning ‘cliff lookout place’, a reference to the limestone cliffs that define the river valley here.
Ngarrindjeri Country
The lower Murray River around Mypolonga lies within the traditional Country of the Ngarrindjeri people — the Traditional Custodians of the lower Murray River, the lakes, and the Coorong. The Ngarrindjeri have inhabited and cared for these waterways, wetlands, and floodplains for thousands of years, maintaining deep spiritual, cultural, and ecological connections to the river system.
The wetlands and river floodplains of this region were important resources for Ngarrindjeri communities — providing waterbirds, fish, freshwater mussels, and plant foods across the seasons. The name Mypolonga — meaning ‘cliff lookout place’ — is a lasting reminder of that enduring presence on Country.
Paddling Trails South Australia acknowledges the Ngarrindjeri people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters along this trail, and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
Wetland History
Prior to 1967, the Paiwalla Swamp of 116 hectares adjoined the Sunnyside Swamp of 34 hectares, forming 150 hectares of continuous wetland — the largest wetland complex on the River Murray below Mannum. In 1967, just over 60 hectares were reclaimed for dairy farming and other agricultural activities. Levee banks, irrigation channels, and sluice gates were constructed, and the land was grazed by up to 350 head of cattle.
By 1996, farming had ceased. Between 1998 and 2002, a dedicated group of volunteers removed fencing, filled irrigation channels, and shaped islands and basins using earthmoving equipment. Carp exclusion screens were installed over the inlet regulators. After an extended regulatory process, the valves were opened on 22 September 2003 — and the Paiwalla Wetland was born again.
Today the site is listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands of Australia and continues to be restored and monitored by the Wetland Habitats Trust, with ongoing support from Birds SA, the Murray Bridge Council, and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority.
Points of Interest
- Dead Red Gum landmark: The large dead river red gum on the eastern bank of the Murray is the key navigation cue for entering the wetland — easy to spot from the water.
- Fossil cliffs (Mannum Formation): Ancient sandstone cliff faces embedded with fossilised sea urchins ( Lovenia forbesi) up to 23 million years old — visible from the water at the wetland margins.
- Sluice gate: A large historic sluice gate on the river bank controls water flow into the main wetland. A reminder of the site’s dairy farm past and current careful water management.
- Sunnyside Reserve (Markers 15–20): The second section of the trail passes through the adjoining Sunnyside Reserve — a quieter, more enclosed lagoon system. Observe any current reserve rules.
- Mypolonga: The small river town of Mypolonga was crowned SA Ag Town of the Year 2022 and is surrounded by citrus orchards, stone fruit, olives, and the buffalo dairy — a worthwhile stop before or after your paddle.
