THE COORONG EXPERIENCE
The Coorong and its Ngarrindjeri Culture

Located 200 kms south east of Adelaide lie the dunescapes, ocean beaches and lagoon wetlands of the Coorong, home to the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginals. This was a land of great bounty rich with plant, marine, bird and animal life that sustained one of Australia's densest Aboriginal populations in a state of affluence. Myriad little bays and backwaters filled with water birds are protected by a narrow dunal barrier that stretches some 120 kilometres south from the Murray River mouth holding back the incessant pounding of the Southern Ocean breakers. The Coorong is a place of ever-changing moods and in all seasons is subject to spectacular environmental light shows such as black rainsqualls streaming across the green water channel, molten sun sinking over golden water and the stark dunes colouring everything in changing shades of orange and pink. Wedged shape squadrons of regal pelicans soaring effortlessly over their domain epitomise the spiritual quality accentuated by the gleaming shell midden mounds that testify to a bountiful Aboriginal occupation.

Today the descendants of the Ngarrindjeri are still strongly connected to these lands and waterways and a number of small family enterprises are now sharing the magic of land and culture with visitors at Camp Coorong and the Coorong Wilderness Lodge. You can follow the path of Ngurrunderi, the great ancestral hero who formed this landscape and set the rules for life, right along the Coorong, the great lakes and the Murray mouth to nearby Kangaroo Island, his last earthly resting place before taking up his position in the star studded milky way.

ACTIVITIES

Activities can be designed to suit any person or group wishing to learn about Aboriginal history, arts, crafts and the environment within the Ngarrindjeri region and include:

• Hearing the Ngarrindjeri peoples feelings and affiliation for their land and culture.
• Kayaking with your Ngarrindjeri guides (weather permitting) and spending time exploring the unique beach and dunes of the area learning about the past and present history of the Ngarrindjeri people.
• Discussing burial grounds.
• Visiting a midden site.
• Learning the art of Ngarrindjeri basket weaving.
• Bush walking and learning about the environment, animals, bush medicine, food and plants of the Coorong.
• Viewing the arts, crafts and general history at Camp Coorong's Cultural Museum.
• Talking to Ngarrindjeri Aboriginals about the present day Ngarrindjeri culture.
• Viewing videos.
• Field trips to the southern and northern ends of the Coorong.

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To enquire about this experience or have it included in a tailor made itinerary - Just ask!