Meningie South Australia accommodation, attractions & info

Meningie - gateway to Coorong Country

The Coorong town of Meningie hugs the shoreline of Lake Albert and boasts picturesque parks and picnic areas where locals and visitors can enjoy a wide range of water sports. It is a thriving community with all the essentials for you to enjoy a genuine escape and time to relax, learn and reconnect.

Meningie and Lake Albert

Situated at the northern end of the Coorong on the shores of the Lake Albert, Meningie combines all the charm of a small country town with stunning natural beauty of the Coorong and freshwater Lower Lakes Albert and Alexandrina of the Murray River. Soak up the peaceful atmosphere and relaxed lifestyle of this laid back waterfront town.

Stroll along the foreshore of Lake Albert and look out for the resident pelicants. Swim, fish or simply relax on the banks of the lake and take in the beautiful sunsets. Meningie boats a waterfront playground and barbecue area ideal for stretching the legs and picnics.

And speaking of things culinary, be sure to bring a healthy appetite. The famous Coorong Mullet is served at all the local eateries and is a must!

Meningie Visitor Information

Lake Albert Golf Course welcomes visitors at all times to their first class 18 hole green course worthy of challenging the most ardent of player.

The Meningie Cheese Factory Museum provides a good insight into the area and its history, offering a multitude of both historical and present-day artifacts.

'The Chambers', home to Coorong Cottage industries, showcases a wide selection of arts, crafts, and home baked produce from local artisans which makes for unique souvenirs and gifts.

Blessed with a natural beauty, this charming year-round holiday destination is an easy 90 minutes drive south east of Adelaide on National Highway 1 and provides a great base from which to explore the Coorong . With a range of accommodation styles to suit all tastes and budgets its time to start planning your next visit!

Coorong Country drives

The Coorong National Park and Younghusband Peninsula encompass everything that is Coorong Country! The Coorong, which welcomes the Murray to the sea, is one of South Australia's most spectacular national parks. It's a 100 km long saltwater lagoon, separated from the Southern Ocean by dunes of the Younghusband Peninsula. The northern and southern lagoons of the Coorong join at Parnka Point, 22 km south of Meningie.

Windswept beaches pounded by the Southern Ocean, secluded lagoons and stunning sand dunes stretching more than 100km characterise the unforgettable scenery of these wetlands and coastal dune systems of international significance.

There are a number of pleasant ring route drives along the shores of Lake Albert and the Coorong. Pack a picnic lunch and set of for the day, or camp in the Coorong National Park over several days and nights (fees apply) and you'll soon discover what Coorong Country is all about!

Drive loop south along the Coorong

Heading west on Narrung Road toward the Noonameena turnoff (Seven Mile Road) you can either continue further on sealed road north west around the Narrung or head south on the unsealed but well graded Seven Mile Road to the Coorong National Park's northern lagoon, its shores and wondrous sights.

Bird watching and bushwalking are popular with visitors, who are spoilt for choice. With over 200 bird species recorded, and a number of well signposted nature walks, binoculars combined with a little effort, patience and a good field guide will ensure a unique wildlife experience!

Camp Coorong, a Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Museum at Bonney Reserve on Seven Mile Road, has been developed by the local Ngarrindjeri people to help breakdown social and cultural barriers. Visitors can stay at the Centre and learn all about the Ngarrindjeri 5000-year spiritual link with the Coorong.

Back onto the Princess Highway and next stop is Parnka Point, the narrowest and deepest point of the Coorong. Here you'll find National Parks' campgrounds and the beginning of the Coorong's Southern Lagoon. The Point has been developed to cater for campers and is a paradise for kayakers. It is also internationally renowned among the bird-watching community having recorded 200-plus species of birds.

A stone's throw further south, just off the Princes Highway, at Hack's Point is the Coorong Wilderness Lodge which is also operated by the local Ngarrindjeri people. This Aboriginal Cultural Centre also offers the opportunity to learn first hand the Aboriginal heritage of the Coorong and surrounds, whether by word, on foot or by kayak! Stay a day, or as long as you like!

Continue south to the observation area at Jack's Point, which is definately worth a look during the pelican breeding season from August until January. North Pelican Island, 1.5 kms offshore, is a sight to behold during breeding season and binoculars will definately provide an advantage.

Narrung and Lake Alexandrina west

Alternatively, travelling northwest from the Noonameena turnoff towards Narrung provides the opportunity to view the northern reaches of the Coorong as well as the Tauwitchere Barrages at Pelican Point via the unsealed but well graded Long Point or Mark Point Roads.

Continue north east on the unsealed road from Mark Point to the small town of Narrung, and across the free 24 hour ferry at 'The Narrows' where Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert meet. Here you'll find Point Malcolm Lighthouse on the hill, the only inland lighthouse in Australia, built in 1878. In days gone by, Point Malcolm Lighthouse was of great importance to the paddle steamers crossing the Lakes transporting all sorts of cargo between Milang (Riverboat Trail) and Meningie.

While near Narrung take a visit to Raukkan (spiritual home of the Ngarrindjeri) and visit Raukkan’s famous church built in 1868 by local Ngarrindjeri stone mason William McHughes. Elder Peter Rigney, who was one of the first Indigenous school principals in Australia, remembers David Unaipon preaching and playing the organ in the church. He believes that, more than anything else, the church represents Raukkan. David Unaipon was born at Raukkan and is a famous Aboriginal author, inventor and political leader and appear's on Australia's $50 note.

Follow the sealed road in an easterly direction and you will soon drive past the historic Poltalloch Station to discover the southern panoramic views of Lake Alexandrina. Finally, at the Princes Highway turn right and return to Meningie past the Ashville Hall, over the rolling hills to the Pink Lake and Waltowa causeway, where it is possible at times to see tortoises crossing the road from the lake to the wetland.

Learn about the River Boat Trail of Meningie

On the way to Adelaide take the turn off at Monarto and experience Australia's largest open range zoo - Monarto Zoo.

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