South Australia · Attraction
Murray River National Park - Katarapko
Wetland wilderness on the floodplain
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
The Katarapko section of Murray River National Park is the largest of the park's divisions, covering over 9,500 hectares of river red gum and black box woodland, lignum swamps and floodplain wetlands between Berri and Renmark. It is one of the most ecologically significant stretches of the lower Murray, providing habitat for koalas, waterbirds, golden perch, yabbies and a wide range of reptiles and native plants.
Several entrances serve the park, with the main Lock 4 entrance accessed via Draper Road on the south-western outskirts of Berri. From here, walking trails fan out across the floodplain, including the easy Kai Kai Nature Trail and the Ngak Indau Wetland Trail, excellent for waterbird viewing from a bird hide. Mountain biking and horse riding are also permitted on designated routes.
Canoeing and kayaking on Katarapko Creek and Eckert's Creek are among the most popular activities, weaving through shaded channels lined with river red gums and passing campsites accessible only by water. Dozens of individual bush campsites are spread along the river and creeks, most offering shade and canoe launching; all must be booked in advance through the SA Parks website.
Vehicle entry to the park is free. The campsites and floodplain tracks are best suited to 4WD or high-clearance vehicles in wet conditions, though most access roads are manageable by conventional vehicles during dry weather.
Scenic views
Lookouts near Murray River National Park - Katarapko.
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