Venture where there are no marked trails on a four-day, small-group guided walk through the internationally significant Riverland Ramsar wetlands. Walking with knowledgeable, local guides, you’ll uncover the river’s ecology, history and leave with a deeper understanding that enriches every future walk you take along this river system.

Thoughtfully supported and unhurried, this experience combines the adventure of a multi-day wilderness walk with the ease of an unpack-once holiday. Evenings are spent aboard a purpose-built eco-houseboat with comfortable ensuite cabins, a chef-designed menu paired with local wines, and sweeping river views.

Exclusive Walking SA offer:
Receive 15% off bookings on Murray River Walks departing before June 30th 2026.

About Murray River Trails….

For Murray River Trails founder and environmental scientist Tony Sharley, sustainability wasn’t an afterthought – it was the very reason for starting an Advanced Eco-Tourism Certified business along the stretch of river where he grew up.

Following a devastating drought that ended in 2010, Tony’s knowledge and passion for the river inspired the idea to diversify the Riverland economy with an eco-tourism business. In 2016 the first Murray River Walk departed – using houseboats that were in low demand during winter, with a local operator who volunteered to be both the first skipper and galley cook. Find out more at murrayrivertrails.com.au.

 

This post contains sponsored content.

Walking SA is proud to represent walkers across South Australia and the Northern Territory. As passionate promoters of walking opportunities across the state we often highlight our amazing regions, our partners, member clubs, and our sponsors.

Walking SA newsletter sponsor, Cove Landing Marina Apartments Kangaroo Island, recently launched a unique concept for walkers over on Kangaroo Island called the ‘Luxury One Stay Getaway’. You won’t need a car, just pack your backpack, grab a walk on ferry ticket, and step ashore at Penneshaw where your brand-new luxury accommodation awaits! Cove Landing is right next to the Christmas Cove Marina and it’s only a short walk from the ferry terminal and township. It’s an ideal base for bushwalking adventures with walking trails within easy walking distance.

If you’re planning a KI Wilderness Trail adventure, the ‘Luxury One Stay Getaway’ is perfect. It allows you to arrive at Penneshaw and bunk down for the night then head off the next day. After your fantastic bush walking, stay at Cove Landing again for a night of luxury before you head home. Or you can hang out at Penneshaw and enjoy the fabulous and diverse short walks that this beautiful maritime hamlet township offers.

Both keen bush walkers, Susan Craig and Mark Simpkin launched their brand-new apartments for tourist accommodation in March 2024. The Cove Landing Marina Apartments feature three fully self-contained, superbly appointed two-bedroom apartments that accommodate four people in each. Featuring a fabulous kitchen, spacious dining and lounge areas with breathtaking views, generously appointed bathrooms, and washer/dryer facilities.

Susan and Mark understand the desire for walking groups to hang out together on and off the trail and the complex, accommodating up to 12 guests, features a thoughtfully designed under roof hallway connecting the apartments. You can enjoy a day out bushwalking around Penneshaw and KI then retreat to the main apartment at days end to celebrate the days walking adventures.

Susan understands this concept well after decades of walking with her Sole Mates bush walking group, 12 women who go where no woman has gone before, making their own way along the stunning cliff tops of KI. Susan and her bush walking buddy Donna once walked from Cape Border to Cape Willoughby to raise awareness and funds for Motor Neuron Disease research.

Escape the ordinary and immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Kangaroo Island, a sanctuary teeming with unique Australian wildlife like kangaroos, koalas, and sea lions, set against a backdrop of dramatic coastal cliffs, pristine beaches, and ancient landscapes – all easily explored with a sense of untouched wilderness just a short journey from Adelaide.

Here’s three nearby walks to get you started:

• Ironstone Hill and Baudin Conservation Park Walk: Immerse yourself in the island’s rich biodiversity, peaceful environment, and magnificent coastal cliff top views of Backstairs Passage.
• Penneshaw Sculpture Trail: A harmonious blend of art and nature, with sculptures scattered along scenic coastal paths.
• Penneshaw Town Centre Walk: A relaxed stroll through this historical maritime town, with stunning views of the surrounding seascapes. Then stop for a cuppa or wine along the way!

Want to go further across KI? There are a couple of transfer options available, and KI Tour and Bus Charters are ready to take you to the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail for an unforgettable five-day walking experience. Find out more about the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.

Ready to book? Head on over to: covelandingki.au, or give Susan Craig a call on 0407 600 282.

Need more inspiration? Walking SA features 38 walks on Kangaroo Island on our world-class database of walks around South Australia.

Walking SA is happy to announce that we’ve partnered with Sphiker to offer a special deal on lightweight and environmentally responsible hiking meals until Walkfest on April 6th.

Head over to sphiker.com.au to save 10% on all purchases until April 6th (use code: WalkingSA). As a special bonus until April, 15% of all purchases using the code will be donated to support Walking SA!

Stock up for the hiking season now, as a modified offer will only be available to Walking SA members after Walkfest.

SPhiker was born from a passion for adventure through Kelly’s years as a Scout Leader and a deep commitment to sustainability. It all started on the trails—trying to find tasty meals that young people would enjoy and could afford. Frustrated by the lack of nutritious, lightweight, and environmentally responsible meal options, Kelly taught her young Scouts how to make their own meals that were preservative free, had real flavour, and were packaged sustainably with a ‘leave no trace’ ethos.

Sphiker is essentially an off shoot of Woodlane Orchard that was specifically created to save locally grown surplus produce and put dollars into the hands of our hard-working Farners. These meals are an essential part of many Aussie campers tucker box but hold far to much food per bag for any hiker. Customer demand pushed us to create Sphiker with single and double sized meals that are super lightweight, nutritious and responsibly packaged.

SPhiker officially launched in 2023 with the goal of providing hikers, campers, and outdoor adventurers with meals that aligned with their values—good for the body, good for the planet. Our flagship product, SPhiker Chow Mein, was our first step, packaged in a home-compostable pouch to eliminate plastic waste. From there, we expanded to include a range of dehydrated meals, soups, and snacks, all designed for adventurers who care about sustainability and quality.

Our Ethos: Fueling Adventures, Sustaining the Planet

• 🌿 Sustainability First
  We believe in protecting the landscapes we explore. That’s why we use compostable packaging, rescue surplus produce, and minimize food waste in our production process.

• 🥾 Adventure-Ready Nutrition
  Our meals are designed for outdoor enthusiasts—lightweight, tasty, and easy to prepare, (just add water and cook) without sacrificing taste or quality.

• 💚 Locally Sourced, Ethically Made
  We support Australian farmers by sourcing second-grade and surplus produce, ensuring nothing goes to waste while providing fair compensation to growers.

• ♻️ Circular Economy in Action
  We embrace a zero-waste mindset, repurposing food scraps, using solar energy, and making conscious choices in everything from ingredients to packaging.

• 🌏 Community & Connection
  SPhiker isn’t just about food; it’s about fostering a community of like-minded adventurers who share a love for the outdoors and a commitment to sustainability. Through workshops, partnerships, and advocacy, we aim to educate and inspire.

From humble beginnings in our kitchen to supporting adventurers across Australia, SPhiker continues to grow, always staying true to our mission: providing sustainable, delicious, and adventure-ready meals for those who explore the world responsibly.

 

Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you decide to make a purchase through one of our recommended partners. We only recommend products and services we trust and believe will be beneficial to our readers. This helps support our work in promoting walking and walking opportunities. Thank you for your support!