photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Yvonne | profile | all galleries >> Travelling the length and breadth of Australia >> A week in the Eastern SE of SA and Western Victoria, June 2013 >> On the beach of the Coorong, South Australia in June 2013 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

On the beach of the Coorong, South Australia in June 2013

The Coorong is a national park and lagoon ecosystem in South Australia (Australia), 156 km southeast of Adelaide. Its name is thought to be a corruption of the local Aboriginal people's word kurangh, meaning "long neck"; a reference to the shape of the lagoon system. The name is also thought to be from the Aboriginal word Coorang, "sand dune", a reference to the sand dunes that can be seen between the park and the Southern Ocean.

The park was formed in 1966 as a sanctuary for many species of birds, animals and fish. It attracts many migratory species. It provides refuge for these animals during some of Australia's regular droughts. The 467 kmē also supports coastal dune systems, lagoons and coastal vegetation. One of the unique things about the Coorong is the interaction of water along its length, with sea water and Murray River water meeting rainfall and groundwater. The freshwater supports the fauna of the area while the sea water is the habitat for much of the birdlife.

The waters of the Coorong are a popular venue for recreational and commercial fishers. The popular 'Coorong Mullet' and 'School Mulloway' are the main species. The region was the setting of the popular 1977 film Storm Boy.

The Coorong has been recognised by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area. It has supported over 1% of the world populations of Chestnut Teal, Australian Shelduck, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Banded Stilt, Red-necked Avocet, Pied Oystercatcher and Red-capped Plover. Australasian Bitterns have been recorded. It has also supported significant numbers of Orange-bellied Parrots, Fairy Terns and Hooded Plovers, although their usage of the site has declined from reduced freshwater inflows. Wikipedia.
Vegetation, up close
Vegetation, up close
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
IMG_1435_123.jpg
IMG_1435_123.jpg
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon
On the edge of the lagoon