Discovering Hidden Gems: Exploring the Murray and Coorong with @BushandBay
The couple known on Instagram as @bushandbay – Sam and Wim – are living the dream of all adventurers at heart, traveling around Australia in their 4WD and camper trailer, discovering the most beautiful and remote places you can ever imagine. Originally from Belgium, and now locals in Noosa, their life revolves around seeing the best of Australia during their regular road-trips from Queensland.
In late March, they arrived in our region, where the milder temperatures, stunning morning light, and gorgeous wildlife welcomed them. After a few days of off-road adventures, exploring walking trails and paddling spots, and indulging in the delicious local food and wine, they were blown away by the stunning natural landscapes and immersive adventures at their fingertips.
Here are their top 5 unmissable spots:
Ngarkat Conservation Park
Their first stop after crossing the South Australian border on their epic journey from Queensland was the stunningly rugged Ngarkat Conservation Park. This magnificent, expansive park features a mosaic of Mallee bushland, extending across 270,000 hectares of remnant coastal dunes.
After settling in at the Box Flat Camping Area, they ventured on a short walk through the park to marvel at the historical ruins of Box Flat Hut outstation.
Their highlights of Ngarkat Conservation Park were the challenging 4WD tracks, spacious campgrounds, and different walking trails, making it the perfect spot for a weekend getaway.
Read more on their Ngarkat Experience here.
“You can start your adventures at the north or south of the park. When we crossed the border from Victoria, we explored the North side of the conservation park. Here, you can camp under the stars across the 11 campgrounds. There’s so much choice and lots of remote campsites.”
Karoonda
They travelled along a dirt road to reach this charming town, enriched with agricultural history and a welcoming community. They experienced the visual feast of the Karoonda Silos by day and couldn’t resist returning at night to witness the silos light up in a mesmerising display of projection artworks by local South Australian artists.
They even traded their home on wheels for a charming and modern wooden-clad eco cabin before (a new introduction thanks to the District Council of Karoonda East Murray) immersing themselves in the town’s pioneering history, railways, and agriculture at Pioneer Park.
“We loved walking through the streets of Karoonda and chatting with the locals. Plus, the silo art is the perfect Instagram spot!”
Langhorne Creek Wine Region
As lovers of great wine, Sam and Wim couldn’t resist exploring this incredible wine region of Langhorne Creek. They spent a few days indulging in amazing wine and local produce, setting up camp surrounded by vineyards at Frank Potts Reserve (just across the road from Kimbolton Wines, and also nearby Bremerton Wines and Bleasdale). Here’s what they had to say about it:
Although driving through the vineyards was one of their highlights, they didn’t need to go far for a delicious experience at Kimbolton Wines, a few steps across the road from their campground.
They also took the breathtaking drive through one of the oldest vineyards in Langhorne Creek to reach Lake Breeze Wines, followed by a visit to Bremerton Wines for more wine, this time paired with a regional tasting plate. Here’s more of what they had to say about this wine region:
“Choose your favourite cellar doors for a tasting, platter, or lunch, or follow the Grapes For Good Trail and support endangered animals while sipping incredible wines.”
See more on their trip through the creek below.
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“Langhorne Creek is probably the best-kept secret of the region. Just driving through the area is jaw-dropping. Vineyards as far as the eye can see, and cellar doors with the most incredible wines we ever tried. Kimbolton must be our favourite cellar door!”
Reedy Creek
Reedy Creek Retreat was a perfect spot for Sam and Wim to unwind and relax (without having to set up the camper for a change). The glassy mornings provided an ideal setting for a kayak paddle on the backwaters, surrounded by pelicans. They spent their afternoons lounging in hammocks, enjoying the sunsets, while having an outdoor BBQ and listening to nature.
For their stay, they chose a luxury glamping tent perched on the clifftops. It was a stunning location to immerse themselves in the essence of the region by day and to chill out around the fire pit with a glass of wine at night.
The Coorong
It’s no surprise that The Coorong made it to their top 5 list. This untouched coastal wilderness is home to a globally recognised and much loved National Park, stunning lakes, campgrounds, and 4WD tracks.
Sam and Wim highlighted The Old Coorong Road as their favourite part of the Coorong. They experienced the sheer beauty of the road, devoid of any other visitors except for a memorable encounter with their first wombat. The scenic drive along The Old Coorong Road is a must-do for anyone heading to the National Park.
The Coorong can be explored by car, boat, foot, or canoe. Sam and Wim even jumped aboard a Spirit of the Coorong tour, which took them on a journey to where the river meets the sea – at the Murray Mouth. On the cruise, they had the opportunity to hear captivating stories of the region’s first inhabitants and learn about the place that inspired Colin Thiele’s Storm Boy – but also gain an important insight into the impact recent flooding had on the lower end of the river system.
Check out more on their trip to the Coorong below.
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“There’s so much to see and do in this region. We’ve experienced a variety of landscapes and activities, and we absolutely loved every moment here! It’s a great place for couples, friends, and families who love outdoor adventures and want to venture off the beaten track.”
For more on what you can explore in our region, follow our Instagram and Facebook pages or visit our website. Start planning your adventure today!
(Images featured in this blog post are courtesy of @bushandbay)