Coorong Adventure Cruise

6 Hours
Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
Cultural Cruise
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Join Spirit of the Coorong and Kool Tours for a six hour authentic tribal experience into the Coorong-Kurangk National Park in South Australia. Gain an understanding of the history and rich knowledge of the local Indigenous tribes - Laklinyeri. Cruise the beautiful waterways of the wetlands and discover the dunes, lagoons, beaches, and birdlife of Coorong National Park.

Head ashore with an Indigenous guide for a trek through cultural sites, finding traditional foods, medicines and discovering how the Ngarrindjeri have survived here for thousands of years. Learn about flora, fauna, traditional Indigenous lifestyles, and contemporary water management as you explore this unusual ecosystem.

Along the way, enjoy morning tea, a cold lunch with tea and coffee, with afternoon tea served as you cruise back past the dunes to Goolwa.

Location

Coorong River, Goolwa SA 5214

What to expect

Your journey commences from Goolwa, approximately one hour south of Adelaide. Visit ancient midden sites, hear stories of the Riverboat days and learn about the area's cultural history, values and much more from your local Ngarrindjeri guide, the Traditional Owners of this area.

Cruise downstream from the port of Goolwa past the historic wharf and towards the Goolwa Barrage. Travel through the lock chamber, down to sea level and spot a few lazy fur-seals lounging about. Then meander along the waterways of the Coorong, following the last kilometres of the mighty Murray River to the Murray Mouth and its opening to the Southern Ocean.

Cruise on past the Murray Mouth and into the landscape where Storm Boy was filmed, passing by the quaint fishing village of the Coorong Shacks before pulling up onto the beach for an optional guided walk through the dunes, seeing an Indigenous midden site, enjoying rich cultural interpretation and bush-tucker trail to the infamous 90-Mile Beach and the roaring Southern Ocean.

Learn the 'Coorong Shuffle' and dig for pipi's on the beach before returning back to the vessel. Our skipper has been busy cooking up some pipi's for guests to try. The cruise continues past Storm Boy filming sites, towering dunes and guests enjoy lunch on-board as we pass by the other barrages and deep into the Coorong.

Our second stop gives guests the opportunity for another guided stroll onto spectacular sand dunes and a significant Ngarrindjeri occupation/cultural site. Enjoy a well deserved afternoon tea on return to the vessel and quietly meander back along the stunning Coorong to our home port of Goolwa.

Beautiful scenery, bird-life, seals and expert commentary along the way - this six hour cruise is the ultimate way to see the remote and wondrous wetlands of the Coorong through the eyes of your local Ngarrindjeri guide.

Itinerary

Our Adventure Cruise departs from the Main Wharf in the old river port town of Goolwa. Cruise to the Goolwa Barrage, through the lock and into the Coorong National Park to view the mouth of the River Murray.

Sites visited include:

  • The Goolwa Barrage
  • Coorong National Park
  • Younghusband Peninsula
  • Ewe Island

A delicious lunch of cold meats and salads is served with tea or coffee as the cruise continues deeper into the Coorong waterway.

What is included

  • Local Aboriginal guide
  • Expert commentary
  • Morning Tea (Tea/Coffee + Biscuits),
  • Lunch - ploughman style lunchbox served in a partitioned BioPak compostable container which includes: selection of sliced cold meats including Ham, Meatloaf, Silverside and Chicken. Salads included: Pasta Salad and fresh Garden Salad (w/ dressing sachet). Also included are a boiled egg, cheese, crackers, a bread roll with butter and an after dinner mint.
  • Afternoon Tea (Tea/Coffee + Homemade Slice)
  • Drinking/Tap Water

Planning your trip

Cruise Departs: 10am every Wednesday & Sunday (October - May)

  • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • We require all passengers to be sufficiently mobile to negotiate stairs and generally move about the vessel.
  • Meals are not included for children under the age of 2.
  • If your child is under the age of 2, and you would like a meal for the child, you will need to book and pay for a "Child (2-15 years)" Ticket.

Meeting point

Australia Goolwa Main Wharf, Goolwa SA 5214

Boarding will commence approximately 15 minutes prior to departure time.

What to bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Hat and sunscreen
  • Jacket
  • Camera
  • Binoculars if you have them and want to maximise viewing of birdlife!
  • Extra drinks (if you would like)

YOUR EXPERIENCE PROVIDER

Spirit of the Coorong

Since 1967 the Veenstra family have been operating tours to the Murray Mouth and into the Coorong National Park from the historic port of Goolwa. In 1998 the Spirit of the Coorong was established enabling passengers to travel further than before into the Coorong.

The 15m vessel can carry 50 passengers, plus two crew. It has a bow loading facility, which means guests can easily walk off the front of the boat and onto land to go on exploratory guided walks. A viewing deck on the roof adds to the experience.

On our tours we cruise through Ngarrindjeri land and learn about its landscape, history and wildlife while visiting remote trails that can only be accessed by boat.

Ready for an experience you won't forget?
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