punyelroo loop trails

Two loop trails from Punyelroo Public Boat Ramp; the first via Punyelroo lagoon to the Punyelroo Cave then the option of a second loop downstream to Big Bend, returning to launch site

Murray River, Lakes and Coorong

Swan Reach (178km from Adelaide)

8km and 12km loops

Paddle Time Half day for each loop

Conditions

Easy

Murray River, Lakes and Coorong

Swan Reach (178km from Adelaide)
Paddle Distance

8km and 12km loops. Allow half day for each loop
Weather

Always check weather and wind conditions before setting out.
Visit BOM for weather conditions
Conditions

Easy - River and river backwaters
Do the five weather safety checks
Facilities

Caravan Park (with facilities) nearby with its own boat ramp
Parking

Limited near boat ramp

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 Trail South Australia has a range of Paddling Trails to suit different abilities. Know your ability.

Caution Information Always check weather and wind conditions before embarking.

If you have a smartphone or tablet you can download the free Avenza PDF Map app and have interactive paddling trail maps on hand when you need them. The app uses your device’s built-in GPS to plot your real-time location within the park onto a map. The app can be used without a network connection and without roaming charges. You can also measure area and distance, plot photos, and drop Placemark pins.

Trail Information

Launch Site:
Punyelroo Public Boat Ramp. GPS: 34.6038 S; 139. 6032 E)

Trail Points:
The entrance to Punyelroo lagoon is almost opposite the Punyelroo Caravan Park.
The Punyelroo Cave is located at Point A (GPS: 34.5943 S; 139.6112 E) in the lagoon. The Punyelroo Cave extends for about 3 kms but exploration of it is not advised except for experienced cavers.

The trail then continues further up the lagoon to Swan Reach to Point B (GPS: 34.5730 S; 139.5940 E). The town centre can be reached by a short (400m) walk along a path. This spot makes a good lunch stop. There is a short creek alongside the path but it may not be navigable.
The canoe trail returns to Punyelroo along the same route.

A second loop downstream extends the trail to view the magnificent cliffs at Big Bend at Point C (GPS: 34.6463 S; 139.6233 E). This section adds a further 10-12km round trip.

Punyelroo Caravan Park has all facilities including picnic area and its own boat ramp

Avenza Interactive Trail map

Trail 09

Points of Interest

Big Bend
Big Bend in South Australia is the longest single bend in the Murray River. The area is known for its spectacular riverside cliffs, which are the tallest along the Murray River. The limestone cliffs are rich with millions of ocean fossils and are home to colonies of bats. Caves in the area have been continuously occupied for at least 8,000 years and are sacred to the local aboriginal community.
Views of the bend in the river are observed from near the road between Swan Reach and Nildottie which runs along the top of the cliffs.
The river turns northwest just past the south eastern end of the row of shacks, passes a lagoon, then makes the sweeping Big Bend to the right through approximately 180 degrees. Then after an almost straight section, continues the right turn through another 90 degrees before the left turn round Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park.
Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal site
is located on Hunter Road, Nildottie, Murraylands. The Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Site offers a walk through Aboriginal dreaming and culture. Join the guides on a tour through Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Site and experience the Aboriginal culture as you journey through the ancestral home of the Nganguraku People. Further information can be found by visiting the website.
Come and explore the picturesque landscape of the Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park and discover a unique insight into the traditional landowners, the Nganguraku people. This culturally and historically significant conservation park is best accessed through a guided tour with an experienced guide from the Mannum Aboriginal Community Association. The guided tours aim to promote cross-cultural understanding and school groups are welcome.
Punyelroo Cave
An extract from an article about the Punyelroo Cave which appeared in The Mail, Adelaide (10 Dec 1927) by TP Bellchambers.‘I was reminded of an old aboriginal legend in regard to that natural phenomenon at Swan Beach. The native who told the story stated that long before the coming of the white man a crow and a goanna had a big fight, and the crow by means of ‘quoree’ or magic, won. He chased the goanna into a hole in the cliffs, and blocked him in with plenty of stones, because that country belonged to the crow and not the goanna. After a long time the goanna came back, and the crow making search found a ‘big feller’ hole where the goanna came out.