Come and explore the Murray River National Park. The park provides ample opportunity for a variety of recreational activities such as walking, bike riding, canoeing, bird watching and bush camping. Designated camping areas, with toilets (in selected areas) and parking facilities as well as walking trails and a self-guided drive trail are established over several areas in the park. This park enables the conservation of more than 14,879 hectares and includes a vast network of Murray River wetlands and floodplains that provide unique natural experiences.
Murray River National Park is divided into six separate areas: Katarapko, Lyrup Flats, Kingston-on-Murray, Paringa Paddock, Gurra Gurra and Bulyong Island. As these areas are separated by towns, visitors will need to ensure they familiarise themselves with maps of the region.
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Katarapko
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Lyrup Flats
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Paringa Paddock
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Gurra Gurra
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Kingston-on-Murray
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Bulyong Island
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Access
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4WD/boat/2WD in dry conditions
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Boat only
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Nearest Town
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Berri
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Lyrup
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Renmark/Paringa
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Berri
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Kingston-on-Murray
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Renmark
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Camping
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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Yes
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Bins Provided
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No – Please Take Your Rubbish With You
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Walking/Bike Trails
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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No
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No
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No
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Toilets
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Yes – long drop
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Yes – long drop
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No
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No
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No
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No
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Wood Collection
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No
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No
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No
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No
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No
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No
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Dogs allowed
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No
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Yes – on leash
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Yes – on leash
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No
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No
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No
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Generator
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No – permission required
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Horses
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No
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No
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No
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No
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No
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No
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Trailbike riding
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No
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No
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No
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No
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No
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N/A
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Off-road 4WD driving
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No
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No
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No
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No
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No
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N/A
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Katarapko
Katarapko features over 9,500 hectares of black box, red gum and lignum covered floodplains and wetlands alive with aquatic bird species. Katarapko Creek and Eckerts Creek are significant waterways that flow through the park and provide great canoe adventuring and are very important habitats for native fish. The Ngak Indau Wetland trail is ideal for viewing wetland birdlife, with a bird hide for the avid birdwatchers. Rilli Island, Media Island and Kapunda Island Conservation Parks are also part of Katarapko.
Katarapko has three entrances: Lock 4 entrance (Draper Road, via Berri), Eckert’s Creek entrance (via Lower Winkie Road) and Katarapko Creek entrance (via Katarapko Crescent). Visitors may access any area of the Park from these entrances. There are also a total of 55 campsites within this section of the Park.
There are a number of trails for walkers and bike riders of all ages to explore the Park and learn about the natural and cultural history. More information about these trails can be found under see and do.
Katfish Reach is a community environmental rehabilitation project that encompasses the Katarapko and Eckert Creek area. The area has been identified as a priority floodplain for environmental flows, and for broad scale rehabilitation works for native fish.
Sections of the park will, at times, be inundated by environmental water to improve the health and resilience of the floodplain trees, your patience will be required as your visit may be impacted by operations and maintenance of the new infrastructure and access to some areas.
Lyrup Flats
Includes 2,000 hectares along the floodplain on the northern side of the river and ferry at Lyrup. It provides wonderful opportunities for birdwatching, fishing and camping. Secluded campsites are located along the Murray River, with two campgrounds, Black Box and Colligans available for larger groups. Your dog is allowed in Lyrup Flats providing it is on a lead.
Paringa Paddock
Nestled between the towns of Renmark and Paringa, Paringa Paddock (which includes Goat Island) contains areas of riverine woodlands, wetlands and river flats covering 1161Ha. Magnificent river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis ssp. camaldulensis) and river box (E. largiflorens) line the floodplain, some of the last remnants of once extensive stands along the Murray River floodplain. The wetland complex includes a number of permanent and temporary wetlands which provide habitat for koalas, birds and reptiles.
A great recreational park with something to do for people of all ages and abilities, there are a multitude of walking and biking trails developed by the Renmark Paringa Council and the local community. You may bring your dog on a leash. This is a day visit area only and no camping is allowed.
Gurra Gurra
A beautiful area (520.8Ha) of Riverine woodland located just across the river south of Berri, and directly opposite the river from Katarapko. Encompassing a portion of Gurra Gurra Creek at the western end of the Gurra Lakes Wetland Complex (a wetland of national importance), Causeway and Little Duck Lagoons. An important area providing habitat for many species of mammals, reptiles, birds, frogs, fish and other invertebrates.
Meander quietly through these wetlands in your canoe or small boat and enjoy some birdwatching or fishing. Campsites will be available to book online once established.
Kingston-on-Murray
Covering 93Ha of mostly permanent healthy freshwater wetland on the southern bank of the Murray River, adjacent the township of Kingston-on-Murray. This features mature, healthy riverine woodlands, with river red gums along the banks and further inland providing essential habitat for many species of mammals, reptiles, birds and invertebrates. The area is ideal for fishing, canoeing or bird watching, with Wachtels Lagoon and Loch Luna nearby to also explore. Campsites will be available to book online once established.
Bulyong Island
North of Renmark, this area is only accessible by boat. The Goolwa street boat ramp is the closest launch point. The island is home to a number of wildlife species, such as western grey kangaroos, emus, pelicans, kingfishers and parrots. It is a fantastic area for canoeing and exploring the extensive waterways above Renmark by small boat.
Opening hours
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger. The park may also be closed during high rainfall events when roads and campsites become slippery and boggy, as well as times when there are high water levels in the wetlands. Roads may also be closed at time during construction of new regulators which will enable future flooding of the floodplain. Please contact us if you are unsure.
Listen to the local area radio station for the latest daily weather updates and information on fire safety.
Getting there
Each area of Murray River National Park has different access points and drive times from Adelaide via the Sturt Highway:
Katarapko (220 km, 2 hrs 50 min)
Lock 4 entrance
Entry is via Draper Road from Berri township (395m to park entrance).
Eckert’s Creek Section
Entry is via Migga Road and Lower Winkie Road, off the Old Sturt Highway (4.7 km to park entrance).
Katarapko Creek Section
Access the Katarapko entrance via the Old Sturt Highway. Turn off between Glossop and Berri and follow the signs (10km to park entrance). Entry is via Winkie Road and Katarapko Crescent.
Lyrup Flats (250 km, 3 hrs 10 min)
Lyrup Flats is situated between the Sturt Highway and the river, between the towns of Renmark and Berri (on the northern side of the river directly opposite Lyrup).
Paringa Paddock (262kms, 3 hours 1 min)
Paringa Paddock is situated between the townships of Renmark and Paringa. Travel through Renmark turning right at the large round about and head towards Paringa. Paringa Paddock is located on the right hand side prior to crossing the Paringa Bridge.
Gurra Gurra (232km, 3 hrs 12 min)
Travel from Adelaide to Berri (via Blanchetown) and across the Berri Bridge, heading towards Loxton. Gurra Gurra entrance is approximately 10.3 km from Berri on your right, at the base of Bookpurnong Hill.
Kingston-on-Murray (218km, 2hrs 30min)
Kingston-on-Murray section is located on the river front of the Kingston-on-Murray township. Turn left at Kingston Estate Wines and follow Petersen Road to turn right onto Holmes Road. Follow this to the Park entrance.
Bulyong Island (300 km, 3 hrs 15 min)
Bulyong Island is north of Renmark and can only be accessed by boat.
All camping booking enquiries
Berri Natural Resources Centre
Phone: (+61 8) 8580 1800
Email: DEW.SAMDBOnlineBookings@sa.gov.au (mailto:DEW.SAMDBOnlineBookings@sa.gov.au)
Visitor information, bookings and park management:
Berri Natural Resources Centre
Phone: (+61 8) 8580 1800
Email: SAMDBEnquiries@sa.gov.au (mailto:SAMDBEnquiries@sa.gov.au)
Emergency contacts:
Medical, fire (including bushfire) and police emergency situations
Phone: Triple Zero (000)
Police Assistance
Phone: 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance
National Parks and Wildlife Service SA – Duty officer
For out of hours emergencies
Phone: (08) 8580 1832
Injured wildlife:
Within the park
Please contact Berri Natural Resource Centre on (08) 8580 1800
Outside of the park
Please contact a local wildlife rescue group
When to visit
Climatically and scenically, autumn and spring are the best times to visit Riverland parks. However, the climate of the Riverland makes it suitable for visiting parks most of the year. The summer months of January and February can be hot.
Roads along the flood plain are generally unsuitable for driving on immediately after heavy rains. This, and other hazards such as bushfire, can force the temporary closure of some sections of the park. Keep your eye on this website for up to date information.
Dogs allowed (on lead in designated areas)
You and your dog can enjoy the Lyrup Flats and Paringa Paddock only.
Please ensure you:
- Keep your dog under control and on a lead no more than two metres in length.
- Stick to designated walking trails.
- Bring disposable bags to clean up your dog’s faeces (please be aware there are no bins in national parks).
Dogs are not permitted in other areas of the park.
Discover other parks you can walk your dog in on our find a park tool or read 12 dog-friendly walks in Adelaide Parks by Good Living for inspiration.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are permitted in most public places and are therefore welcome in South Australia’s parks and reserves. Assistance dogs must be appropriately restrained on a lead and remain under your effective control at all times while in a park or reserve.
As per the dogs in parks and reserves policy, if the dog is not an accredited assistance dog, they must be trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate that disability and meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for a dog in a public place. However, refusal may be given if the person with the disability is unable to produce evidence the dog is an assistance dog with the appropriate training.
Before taking your assistance dog into a park that does not normally allow dogs, it is highly recommended that you contact us so we can provide you with the latest information on any potential hazards within specific parks that may affect your dog. Please contact the park via the contact details provided under the contact tab or contact the visitor service centre via email or on Facebook, or you can live chat with a customer service representative on the website Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Facilities
There are picnic areas, campfire areas, toilets, camping sites and caravan sites available in this park.
Plants and animals
Plants
The Murray River National Park is home to native plants such as Black Box, River Red Gums and understorey like Lignum, the Spiny Daisy, Swamp Daisy and Prickly Bottlebrush.
The Murray‐Darling Basin region is home to an extraordinarily diverse range of native vegetation ﴾flora﴿, with over 2,000 species recorded. Native vegetation refers to any naturally occurring local plant species which are indigenous to Australia, from small ground covers and native grasses to large trees and water plants.
About 50% of the region is covered by native vegetation, with around 45% of this contained within national parks, reserves and heritage agreements. However, a quarter of all the plants recorded in South Australia are considered to be threatened, and less than 30% of native vegetation remains in the agricultural areas, with some areas lower than 10%.
Animals
The three separate areas that make up Murray River National Park ‐ Katarapko, Lyrup Flats and Bulyong Island cover more than 14,925 hectares and conserve the verdant Murray wetlands that flow through the park.
The overall area is home to around 8 species of native frogs such as southern bell frog and the banjo frog, and several species of native fish including murray cod and golden perch (callop). Up to 23 species of reptiles may be found including the carpet python, broad-shelled tortoise and eastern tiger snake. There are also many species of birds and mammals ‐ regent parrots, emus, kangaroos, black swans, ducks, bats, restless flycatchers and pelicans just to name a few!
The Katarapko area features floodplains and several wetlands. The area is an important breeding area for native wildlife, including waterbirds, and is an ideal place for birdwatching.
Lyrup Flats encompasses 2,000 hectares along the floodplain on the northern side of the river and provides wonderful opportunities for birdwatching and fishing.
Bulyong Island is only accessible by boat. The island is home to a number of wildlife species, such as western grey kangaroos, emus, pelicans, kingfishers and parrots.
Flora and fauna species lists
To download flora (plants) and fauna (animals) species lists for this park, use the 'Create Simple Species List' tab under 'Flora Tools' or 'Fauna Tools' in NatureMaps.
Traditional owners
This area is the traditional home to the Erwirung people, a relatively small Aboriginal group that lived on the fertile plains of the Murray. Cultural sites exist in the park in the form of graves, middens and canoe trees. Aboriginal people have strong affiliations to Country and these cultural values and sites must be respected and conserved.
Aboriginal peoples have occupied, enjoyed and managed the lands and waters of this State for thousands of generations. For Aboriginal first nations, creation ancestors laid down the laws of the Country and bestowed a range of customary rights and obligations to the many Aboriginal Nations across our state.
There are many places across the State that have great spiritual significance to Aboriginal first nations. At some of these places Aboriginal cultural protocols, such as restricted access, are promoted and visitors are asked to respect the wishes of Traditional Owners.
In places where protocols are not promoted visitors are asked to show respect by not touching or removing anything, and make sure you take all your rubbish with you when you leave.
Aboriginal peoples continue to play an active role in caring for their Country, including in parks across South Australia.
European history
Charles Sturt, in 1830, was the first European to explore the river. Rowing with a party of seven in a whaleboat from its junction with the Murrumbidgee down the length of the river to the river mouth below Lake Alexandrina.
Paddle steamers began plying the river in the 1850's, transporting stock and produce for the burgeoning pastoral industry.
The river trade reached a peak in the 1880's, to be replaced by rail and road transport. In 1887, after the founding of Renmark, vines and fruit trees were established with the help of irrigation schemes. Soldier settlement schemes after both world wars saw more irrigated farmland developed.
In the late 1960s conservation parks were proclaimed to protect some of the islands; in 1991 three areas of the river were incorporated in Murray River National Park.