Find a Trail

A 5 km loop around Aroona Dam near Leigh Creek — a picturesque oasis in the desert fringed by hills and trees. Wallabies, kangaroos, swans and turtles all gather at the water. Toilets, picnic area and camping available. The dam is stocked with Murray Cod and Callop — fishing permit required.

From Blanchetown through Moorundie and Portee Creeks via Yacto Creek to Swan Reach. Multiple portages. Beware of the Swan Reach car ferry when approaching exit. Excellent birdlife throughout.

A loop around Chambers Creek and associated backwaters from Kingston-on-Murray Caravan Park. Can be extended to Lake Bonney and Barmera (17 km on water). Note: game reserve — avoid March–June hunting season.

A 6 km loop around the fully enclosed Encounter Lakes near Victor Harbor — ideal for novices. Launch from CM Thorpe Reserve with toilets, grassed area and a café nearby. The local paddling club holds a handicap race on the first Saturday of every month — all welcome.

A pristine family paddle around a secluded reservoir 60 km south of Adelaide. All-access pontoon makes launching easy for all abilities.

A 2–3 day loop through Pipeclay, Chowilla and Monoman Creeks in the Chowilla Game Reserve, starting and finishing at Lock 6 boat ramp. Campsites must be pre-booked with National Parks. Satellite phone recommended — mobile coverage unreliable.

From Clayton Bay Waterfront Reserve following numbered beacons south-east to Rat Island, Boundary Creek, and the Ewe Island barrage. Winds can pick up quickly. Reeds in Boundary Creek can be quite shallow.

Launch from the Reserve off Bridge Terrace at the river mouth and paddle upstream through picturesque nature reserves to the corner of Cudmore Road and Wattle Drive. Note: snags are present and river level can vary with seasonal rainfall.

Paddle amongst 26 historic shipwrecks in the North Arm of Port Adelaide — one of the world's largest and most diverse ships' graveyards.

Through Cumbunga Creek to Roonka Conservation Park, where Aboriginal occupation stretches back 18,000 years. Notable canoe trees visible along the banks. Roonka Homestead (1840s) is now the Scout Movement's Water Activities headquarters.

A 2–3 day loop through the semi-arid Chowilla floodplain, largely untouched by irrigation. Wildlife includes kangaroos, emus, parrots and pelicans. Note: The Shute (Suders Creek) is fast-flowing and dangerous for inexperienced paddlers — an alternative portage route is available.

Launch from Kent Reserve at the river mouth and paddle approximately 2 km upstream through scenic nature reserves to a small weir at the end of Canterbury Road. Toilets and picnic area at the reserve. Note: snags present; river level may vary with rainfall.

Paddle the tidal Onkaparinga River from the sea to Old Noarlunga — 14 km return through the Onkaparinga River Recreation Park, 31 km south of Adelaide.

A scenic loop down the reed-protected Finniss River from Wallys Landing. Passes Watchalunga Nature Reserve — critical habitat for the critically endangered Mt Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren.

A paddle through Nockburra Creek into Loch Luna, an important waterbird nesting habitat and game reserve. Notable for large cormorant colonies, darters and turtles. A landmark eagle's nest at GPS 34.2166S 140.3716E acts as a navigation reference. Avoid March–June hunting season.

Circumnavigate Delfin Island in the protected waters of West Lakes. Several convenient access points — note southerly winds near the bridges.

Starts at Lock 4 boat ramp, passing through Ajax/Achilles Lake then Eckert Creek, Jarrett Creek and Sawmill Creek back to Lock 4. Can be extended to a 2-day trip via the Splash and Katarapko Creek. Lock 4 operates 8am–11:30am and 1pm–4:30pm — call ahead on (08) 8582 1388.

A 2-day paddle from Mundoo Channel to Lousy Jacks in the Coorong, camping by the dunes on the Younghusband Peninsula. Rare Tuart gums mark Lousy Jacks. Camping permit required. All water must be carried in.

Explore Port Adelaide's working inner harbour — Fisherman's Wharf, Hart's Mill and docks. Dolphins regularly join paddlers in the basin.

From Tailem Bend towards Wellington in four sections. Each can be done independently with a pick-up arranged. Educational signs cover the 1956 floods, river locks and native fish. Strong afternoon winds are common.

Starts at the Loxton Riverfront Reserve (home of the famous "Tree of Knowledge" flood marker) and travels up Katarapko Creek to the Stone Weir before returning downstream along the Murray. Katarapko features 9,148 ha of floodplain important for native waterbirds and fish. Campsites must be pre-booked with Murray River National Park.

A circular route through mangrove-lined Swan Alley Creek on the eastern side of Barkers Inlet, departing from Garden Island boat ramp.

From McBeans Pound through Sinclair Flat, Irwin Flat and Donald Flat lagoons. Large pelican numbers in Donald Flat. Sulphur-crested cockatoos nesting in the sandstone cliffs on the return leg.

A one-day loop around Monoman Island in the Chowilla Game Reserve. Launch from next to the locked bridge over Monoman Creek. Flatwater conditions, easy navigation. Limited phone reception — download Avenza maps before leaving mobile range. Campsites available and must be pre-booked.

A full-day circumnavigation of Torrens Island from Garden Island boat ramp — use the falling tide to travel clockwise past the ships graveyard.

From Castles Landing through Moorundie and Portee Creeks with multiple portages. Creek entrance marks remains of dams built by Edward John Eyre in the 1830s. Portee Homestead (1873) is a heritage B&B along the route.

Launches from Canoe the Riverland at Murtho, travelling via Kylie Creek, Ral Ral Creek and Nelbuck Creek. Can be extended to 2 days around Reny Island past Calperum Station Biosphere Reserve. Full facilities at launch including the moored paddle steamer Julie Fay available as Airbnb.

A great family trail with easy parking and launching. Choose the shorter 3 km option or extend into the South Para River for a full 9 km paddle.

A loop from Mundoo Channel Reserve to the Murray Mouth and Godfreys Landing in Coorong National Park. Stay clear of the mouth — tidal currents are strong at spring tides. Camping permits required from National Parks.

A 2-day loop through picturesque backwaters near Renmark with a distinct feeling of remoteness. Passes through the Pike River Conservation Park and includes Pike Lagoon and Mundic Creek — both exposed and can be challenging in wind. One portage required.

Two picturesque lagoons with three portages of ~250 m each. Pelicans, whistling kites and cockatoos. Ruins of the Woods Flat Post Office — the last river post office, closed 1971 — visible from the cliff.

A long day paddle along Pike River and Rumpagunyah Creek — no portages required and not affected by changing water levels as it sits downstream of Lock 5 and the Pike River regulators. Can be extended to 2 days with good camping along Rumpagunyah Creek.

A marked loop through the restored Paiwalla wetland. Sandstone cliffs with 23-million-year-old sea urchin fossils tower above. 21 trail markers guide paddlers through small lagoons and reed beds.

A 2-day loop around Punkah Island in the Chowilla Game Reserve, starting at Border Cliffs campground canoe launch. Involves The Shute — a fast-flowing narrow creek recommended for experienced paddlers (portage alternative available). Trip Intention Form required with National Parks. Satellite phone recommended.

Two return trails, north and south, from Parnka Point in the Coorong National Park. Very shallow water with sharp rocks — check water levels before you go.

A 2-day loop from Murtho Forest Landing via Nelbuck Creek and Hunchee Island — recommended with an overnight camp. Passes spectacular Heading Cliffs and Calperum Station Biosphere Reserve, habitat for the endangered black-eared miner and vulnerable malleefowl. Note: The Woolshed Brewery is on an anabranch on the return leg.

Two loops from Punyelroo boat ramp. Loop 2 extends to the spectacular Big Bend cliffs — the longest single bend in the Murray and home to bat colonies and 8,000 years of Aboriginal cave occupation.

A loop from Swan Reach through Yacto Creek. Numerous fallen trees to navigate but no portage required. Check Waterconnect for river levels above 0.6 m before attempting Yacto Creek.

A loop from Wongulla boat ramp through Wongulla Lagoon and Manuka Lagoon to Walker Flat with its spectacular ochre cliffs. Walker Flat offers a free 24-hour ferry, general store and accommodation.

From Wellington into Lake Alexandrina to Point Pomond and return. Lake Alexandrina can whip up steep, sharp waves with little warning — always check the weather. GPS recommended.