The Murray Coorong Trail traverses the riverfront at Sturt Reserve via a signposted path from the Bridges through to Narooma Wetlands. Sturt Reserve is home to the Trail head which is marked with an impressive steel structure to represent the gateway to the Murraylands trails network.
The completed Murray Bridge section of the Murray Coorong Trail is part of an evolving project running alongside and close to the river, all the way from Cadell in the Riverland, through the heart of Murray Bridge and on to Salt Creek in the Coorong.
The trail capitalises on, and complements, the region’s existing environmental assets including the Murray River, untouched wilderness in national (and conservation) parks, the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve and the unique beauty of the Coorong.
The goal of the Murray Coorong Trail is to be accessible to people of all ages, as well as drawing in special interest groups, nature lovers, bike riders, walkers and tourists. It will wind its way along the Murray River, via the Lower Lakes and Coorong National Park, providing unparalleled scenic views and immersive nature experiences for domestic and international visitors.
Passing through, or near, 18 towns over 27 stages, the trail will also cover four national or conservation parks, linking to over 30 other spur trails, with some sections less than 80km from Adelaide.
Once fully developed, the combined walking and bike riding trail is expected to become a major drawcard for walkers, riders, nature lovers and tourists, with flow-on benefits for local business, the environment, recreation and community connection and wellbeing.
Key milestones in the project during the past year include trail improvement through Murrundi Reserve to the Jervois levee bank, access swing gates and seating at Murrundi Reserve, two shelters at the Wellington Courthouse, a new shelter at Baker Reserve and trail signage.
The wider region has already experienced a surge in popularity following the development of trails such as the Lavender Federation Trail, facilities for walkers and cyclists in Kinchina Conservation Park and the likes of the Murray Canoe Trail. The Murray Coorong Trail will add to the outstanding recreational tourism offering, while also providing a high-quality asset for the region’s walkers, riders, nature lovers and families to explore.
New sections of trail will boost the region’s emerging status as one of South Australia’s leading nature-based tourism icons. There are magnificent areas along the Murray River, Lower Lakes and within the Coorong National Park that many South Australians still don’t know exist. This trail will put them on the map and provide people with the perfect opportunity to spend multi-day trips here in the region.
A $205,000 grant, awarded through the SA Government’s Open Space and Places for People grant program, will help the partners (Mid Murray Council, Rural City of Murray Bridge, Coorong District Council and Department for Environment and Water) begin the detailed planning and construction of the Murray Coorong Trail, stretching over 450km from Cadell in the Mid Murray, to Salt Creek in the Coorong National Park. The three Councils will also invest a combined $205,000, and an additional $22,000 of in-kind expertise to turn the ambitious project into reality.
Much work has already been done by the partners to establish the plan for the trail – including developing the extensive Murraylands River Trail Feasibility Study. The Councils have also secured over $1.5m in funding and contributed their own funds in recent years to construct 25km of the trail, with sections already being used in each of the three districts.
The Murray Coorong Trail has been identified as a priority project for the region for some time, with the three Councils having already contributed towards a detailed feasibility study and the construction of the first sections of the trail. The project will be a key part of supporting the region’s community wellbeing and tourism economy.
The new grant will allow a fast-track the detailed design of the entire trail – spanning over 450km – and continue construction to bring the concept to life in a way that is well-designed and sustainable. This, in turn, will bring substantial benefits to local communities and the State.
A specialist trail designer will be engaged to create the detailed plan, which will include extensive planning in the areas of sustainability principles and designs, trail mapping, construction methods and long-term trail management.
Trail sections that have already been constructed, or are under construction, include:
Mannum to Kia Marina
Murray Bridge to Toora Reserve
Meningie to Seven Mile Road
Wellington to Jervois
Raukkan and the Raukkan Loop Trail
Tailem Bend to Wellington East
Swan Reach to Nildottie.